Dili, 17 January 2001
CABINET APPROVES REGULATIONS ON DEFENCE FORCE
AND THE REGISTRATION OF POLITICAL PARTIES


The East Timor Transitional Cabinet today approved two draft regulations, one which would establish a Defence Force for East Timor and the other on the registration of political parties. The Cabinet discussed and agreed on a number of amendments to the Defence Force text, which will be finalized urgently and forwarded to the National Council for its consideration. The Cabinet agreed to the text of a draft regulation entitled “Registration of Political Parties for the Nomination of Candidates to a Constitution Assembly for an Independent and Democratic East Timor”. The regulation would establish an Interim Registry of Political Parties, and define the procedures and mechanisms by which political parties may register and nominate candidates for election to a Constituent Assembly, which will prepare a constitution of an independent and democratic East Timor.

In addition, the Cabinet agreed on the interim terms of reference for the Office of the Inspector General. The Transitional Administrator will provide these Terms of Reference to the Inspector General. They include inspections within the administration, investigation into alleged wrongdoing, recommending improvements to public administration, and carrying out anti-corruption outreach programs. The Inspector General’s functions were to be carried out so as to support the overall development of the East Timor administration. Finally, the Cabinet received a briefing from representatives of the petroleum industry regarding petroleum operations within the Zone of Cooperation in the Timor Sea.