ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE DEFINES MAIN CONSTITUTIONAL THEMES

The Constituent Assembly's "Harmonization" Committee today presented the main themes that will be considered by four "Thematic" working groups in drawing up East Timor's first Constitution.

The first group will focus on human rights and civil liberties; the second will address the organization of the state and of political power. A third working group will focus on the structure of the economy and finances; and the fourth will, among other tasks, design mechanisms by which the constitution can be amended if necessary in the future.

Each of the working groups contains an average of 21 Constituent Assembly members and has 10 days to discuss the allotted themes. The President of the National Assembly can extend this consideration period as necessary.

HORTA TO MEET WITH FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTER

In an official visit to France next week, Senior Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation José Ramos-Horta is scheduled to meet with Foreign Minister Hubert Védrine and members of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the French Senate.

Horta, who is expected to discuss a range of bilateral issues with his counterpart, is arriving in Paris following a four-day visit to Prague, Czech Republic, where he was invited by President Václav Havel to attend the Forum 2000 conference.

Prior to his arrival in Europe, the Senior Minister also visited the United States, where he met with the representatives from the Bush Administration and the United States Congress, among others.

José Ramos-Horta is returning to East Timor on 21 October.

NEW GOVERNMENT WEBSITE LAUNCHED

The new website of the Second Transitional Government of East Timor has been officially launched.

The site, produced by the Department for Information Technology, Post, Telecommunications in conjunction with Office for Communication and Public Information, can be found at: www.gov.east-timor.org.

The site will be gradually updated by the respective Departments of the Transitional Government.