AUSTRALIAN DEFENSE FORCE MINISTER VISITS TROOPS

Australia's Minister of Defense, Senator Robert Hill, arrived in East Timor this morning for a two-day visit.

Speaking to reporters upon his arrival, Senator Hill stressed that Australia would continue to make its contribution to the Peacekeeping effort after East Timor's independence next May.

Senator Hill met with Australian Head of Mission James Batley this morning before flying by Australian Army Blackhawk helicopter to southwestern East Timor where he met with members of the Second Royal Australian Regiment. Before returning to Dili, Hill flew over Junction Points Bravo and Charlie and inspected the new AUSBATT accommodation facility at Moleana.

The Defense Minister is scheduled to meet with Chief Minister Mari Alkatiri, Acting SRSG Dennis McNamara, and Commander of the East Timor Defense Force Taur Matan Ruak tomorrow morning before returning to Australia.

ACTING SRSG MEETS WITH COMMUNITY, TROOPS IN LAUTEM

Acting SRSG Dennis McNamara traveled to East Timor's Lautem district today to meet with district officials, members of the community, and the soon-to-depart Korean Battalion.

McNamara was accompanied by East Timor Defense Force (ETPF) Commander Taur Matan Ruak and Internal Administration Minister Antoninho Bianco, among others.

Community members that met with the delegation stressed their concern over the imminent departure of the Korean Battalion from the district. McNamara sought to reassure the community - both in person and in an interview with a local radio station - that the Korean Battalion was being redeployed to the Oecussi enclave because the prevailing peaceful atmosphere in Lautem means that they are no longer needed there.

The Acting SRSG outlined the respective roles that the international Civilian Police, the ETDF and the East Timor Police would play in Lautem once the Korean Battalion departs in early January, and stressed that the United Nations will remain actively engaged in the district long after East Timor's independence.

Community members raised a number of other issues that McNamara stressed, and which subsequently were, addressed directly to Minister Bianco, who was representing East Timor's Second Transitional Government.

Before returning to Dili, the delegation visited a model agricultural project created by Korean soldiers and watched a Taekwondo display performed by youths trained by the Korean Battalion.

COUNCIL OF MINISTERS HOLDS OPEN MEETING IN MANATUTO

An estimated 700 people turned out in Manatuto town this morning for an Open Meeting hosted by East Timor's Council of Ministers.

This was the third Open Meeting that the Council has held outside Dili as part of its plan to decentralize its activities and consult directly with local communities. Previous meetings were held in Baucau and Liquica districts.

The main issues discussed at today's meeting included the need to improve local production of agricultural products and facilitate their sale in the nearby capital; the need to improve the area's infrastructure; and means to provide better access to educational facilities for district residents.

Minister of Agriculture Estanislau Aleixo da Silva explained how a range of UNDP programs were being planned in the areas of health, education and agriculture that would directly benefit some 3,000 families in Manatuto and Ainaro districts, while an official from East Timor's Central Payments Office explained East Timor's ongoing "dollarization" campaign.

CONSTITUENT ASSEMBY PASSES TWELVE MORE ARTICLES

The Constituent Assembly today passed twelve articles of East Timor's draft Constitution dealing primarily with political and economic rights.

The articles passed today, all with significant majorities, include the following:

Article 41 provides that everyone is guaranteed the freedom to assemble peacefully and unarmed without prior authorization, whilst Article 42 provides that everyone shall enjoy the freedom to form associations as long as they are not intended to promote violence. The establishment of armed, military or paramilitary associations, including organizations of a racist or xenophobic nature or which promote terrorism, are prohibited. Article 43 provides for freedom of movement.

Article 44 provides that everyone is guaranteed freedom of conscience, religion and worship, and that no one shall be persecuted on the basis of religious convictions.

Article 45 provides for the right to participate in the political life and public affairs of the country, directly or through democratically elected representatives, and the right to establish and participate in political parties. Article 46 provides the right to vote and to be elected to those over the age of 17, and provides that the exercise of the right "constitutes a civic duty." Article 47 provides the right to a citizen to petition the "organs of sovereignty or any other authority" for the purpose of defending his or her rights and the Constitution.

Article 48 provides that everyone has the right and the duty to contribute towards the defense of territorial integrity, and that military service shall be served in accordance with the law. Article 49 provides that everyone has the right and duty to work and choose their profession, regardless of sex. The article also provides that everyone has

the right to safety and hygiene, remuneration, rest and vacation, and prohibits dismissal for political or ideological grounds.

The right to strike is provided by Article 50, and the use of a lock-out is prohibited. The right to join or form trade unions and professional associations is protected. Consumer rights are protected by Article 52. Consumers have the right, amongst other things, to goods and services of good quality. Advertising is to be regulated by law, and all forms of concealed, indirect or misleading advertising are prohibited.