REFUGEES, MILITIA LEADER RETURN FROM WEST TIMOR

More than 370 refugees returned to East Timor from camps in Indonesian West Timor today in a process facilitated by independence leader Xanana Gusmão, UNTAET's Chief of Staff N. Parameswaran and former pro-autonomy leaders from the Mahidi militia. Between 500 and 600 refugees from Covalima district are expected to cross the border tomorrow.

The Deputy Commander of Mahidi, Nemésio Lopes de Carvalho, was among those who returned today. After crossing the border at Salele, Covalima district, the former militia member was brought by staff from the Serious Crimes Unit to Dili, where he appeared before an Investigating Judge trying to ascertain the degree of his involvement in the violence surrounding the 1999 Popular Consultation. He was later conditionally released and is expected to travel to Salele for tomorrow's refugee returns.

"I am happy to return to my home country and I am willing to face justice," Nemésio Lopes de Carvalho said upon crossing border.

The returns, in which UNTAET, the International Organization for Migration and UNHCR played crucial roles, follow a series of recent border meetings held in Salele between Gusmão, Ainaro elders and leaders of the Ainaro refugees, including Nemésio Lopes de Carvalho's brothers Câncio and Fransisco.

Speaking to the media at the border, Câncio Lopes de Carvalho said that every East Timorese must "forget the past" but that he, as a commander, would take responsibility for any violent acts committed by the Mahidi militia after the 1999 Popular Consultation. Câncio Lopes de Carvalho has said that he intends to return to East Timor with his followers before the end of the year.

Câncio Lopes de Carvalho presented Xanana Gusmão with a Mahidi t-shirt, a token of his ultimate surrender. "My struggle is over," he said.

UNTAET's Chief of Staff N. Parameswaran, Constituent Assembly speaker Francisco Guterres (Lu-Olo), East Timor Defence Force Commander Brigadier General Taur Matan Ruak, Indonesian regional military commander Major General William da Costa and West Timor Governor Piet Tallo were also present at today's event, among other dignitaries.

Parameswaran and former Prosecutor General Mohamed Othman two weeks ago met with over 90 former members of the Mahidi militia in the West Timor capital Kupang, Indonesia, to explain how their returns to East Timor will be handled from a judicial point of view.

SRSG Sergio Vieira de Mello has several times laid out UNTAET's position that all refugees are welcome to return, but that there will be no amnesty for crimes

committed in 1999 and that suspects will face the East Timorese justice system, namely the Special Panel for Serious Crimes.

COMMISSION MEETS TO DISCUSS NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN

A Planning Commission comprising Government and Civil Society representatives today met for the first time to discuss the creation of a comprehensive national development plan.

Chief Minister Mari Alkatiri said the commission hopes to create a development plan which truly reflects the aspirations of the East Timorese people.

"This vision should be built around a broad community consensus about the kind of country we want our children to inherit - a democratic and tolerant society which above all values peace, social justice and equality", the Chief Minister told reporters in Dili today.

"We have a unique opportunity to develop a national plan which places poverty reduction at its centre and which helps to ensure that the government's resources are directed at promoting equitable growth and opportunities for all," he added.

Minister for Finance Fernanda Borges and Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries Estanislau da Silva are among the other Government members sitting on the Commission. Xanana Gusmão and Baucau Bishop Basilio Nascimento are among the representatives of Civil Society.

The Planning Commission is expected to meet regularly, and plans to prepare material to be presented to the next international donors' meeting on East Timor to be held in Oslo, Norway in December.

Chief Minister Alkatiri said that the donor community gave its strong support to the preparation of a national development plan at the last donors' meeting in Canberra in June.

"Maintaining the confidence of donors in our ability to manage our financial resources carefully and to focus public spending where it will achieve the greatest good is vital if we are to place East Timor firmly on the path to a prosperous and sustainable future, the Chief Minister said.