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20091211

IV Constitutional Government or Maubere Alliance for Progress

By Antonio Ramos Naikoli*

When Mari Alkatiri was Prime Minister and leader of the ConstitutionalGovernment,proved to be a leader with a great sense of the state, since the compilation of his speeches reflected a great deal of pragmatism. Mari Alkatiri, has a more realistic view. By switching to the opposition camp, he opted for a more ideological discourse, intended for domestic political consumption. Whoever read the statement read on the book of Mari Alkatiri, 'The Path toDevelopment (published by Lidel, Lisbon, 2006') would notice the enormous transformation from a pragmatic discourse to a more ideological discourse and out of the domestic political consumption.On the eve of his 60th birthday (26.11.2009) Mari Alkatiri was facing some challenges. On the one hand, entering the third age, being a natural process to reach this age. From the economic point of view, Mari Alkatiri, and enjoy a lifetime pension as a former owner also was able to record in the Ministry of Social Solidarity (MSS) as the new beneficiary of the pensions for the elderly. Moreover, the political challenge that Mari Alkatiri is facing, with the passage of the party leadership to the new generation. It was not easy, and the first test was the Fretilin party conference in the Dili District, on 7 and 8 November. Bano, the favorite candidate and supported by Mari Alkatiri, was defeated at the polls by Gregorio Saldanha. The political angle that we can take as direct correlation, is that the speech and the strategy adopted by the Fretilin leadership have not accepted within the Fretilin. The city of Dili. could serve as a barometer of analysis and measuring the force and implementation of a political force. In response, Mari Alkatiri, marked the national agenda through an article he wrote, titled "IV Constitutional Government or One Man Lda", which made severe criticisms against all measures of the IV Constitutional Government. He hopes to return morals to the activists through the conference that tookplace on 5 and 6 December 2009. In this paper we respond to some arguments that Mari Alkatiri put forward in his article, which should inspire any reader to do academic exercises.

Economic Growth:

To Mari Alkatiri, former PM and eternal Secretary General of Fretilin, the result has been questioned in the field of economics, the IV ConstitutionalGovernment led by Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão. The central argument of Mari Alkatiri, reflects the position of a politician writing an article for the sole purpose of consumption policy. Alkatiri use social indicators as a weapon to counter the result of the growth achieved in the economy. We must understand that Mari Alkatiri was not and is not an academic economist, despite his political career as Prime Minister of Constitutional Government in accumulation with the post ofMinister of Economy and Development.

We can establish a causal relationship between economic growth and the impact on poverty reduction. According to the forecast, if it keeps the current pace of economic growth, this indicator will have an impact on reducing poverty by half over the next ten years. The reforms of this Government, especially the reform of financial management, helped to overcome major obstacles to a protracted financial management, from the former government led by Mari Alkatiri. The investment in productive sectors and the incentives for non-oil economic sectors, can contribute to the further growth and in logical sequence, to economic growth. The State Budget for 2010 corresponds to the development strategy of the IV Constitutional Government, to invest in human and social sector, on one hand, and on the other hand, placed in the areas of economic development. Education, health and social welfare are areas that this government made a commitment expressed through the Program of the IV Constitutional Government. Economic development and the goal to achieve economic growth is at least 8%.

Governance by decree:

According to RDTL Constitution, in Article 2 (Sovereignty and constitutionality, No .2): "The state is subject to the Constitution and the Laws." And (still in paragraph .3), "The laws and other acts of state and local government will only be valid if they conform to the Constitution." A modest interpretation, the PM can perform their duties, while not contrary to the law and Constitution. Nor are valid, the acts of government that are in accordance with the laws and Constitution of RDTL.

Public Function:

A priority for reform of the IV Constitutional Government was to establishthe Civil Service Commission (CSC), whose main objective is to advance the reform of the civil service. In his remarks at the swearing in of theCommissioners of the Civil Service, PM Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, stressed that "the establishment of the Public Service Commission will be strengthened institutional capacity of public administration, to protect the interests of State and improve the delivery of public services, "in hand" with the development of mechanisms for good governance that we have been implementing, will confirm the operation of this Government to implementstrictly what is promised (Speech by PM, 15/08 / 2009). He added the PM in his speech: "The aim of the CFP, which was proposed by the Government and approved by Parliament, is to ensure - a civil service based on merit and with high integrity and professionalism with public offering quality services for the state and the people of Timor-Leste, an efficient, effective and economic performance of the public, the fair and reasonable treatment of employees of Public Service and the development of leadership and innovation throughout the public function ( idem).

Mount a public function that does not meet the criteria of party politics but betting on technical and vocational skills. The facts reflect that: many civil servants and, in large part, those who had access to the Tribunal at the time of the Constitutional Government, obey the criteria supporters mainly by binding to the ruling party. In contrast, the IV Constitutional Government, took over as one of its commitments to reform the Civil Service.

Auditors and results:

As a result, was achieved in two years, many accomplishments of the IV Constitutional Government in the following areas: the reform of the social security / defense and social policies, reform in the Financial Management and commitment to good governance through creation committees - Anti Corruption and Civil Service. Economic growth and commitment to reduce poverty are structural issues that this government bet, according to the objectives for the next 10 years. As already explained, there is a logical consequence of economic growth and poverty reduction.

Interference in the justice sector:

In a democratic country, where under the rule of law, separation of powers between the state institutions is a basic rule of democratic principle. Or not there is a democratic rule of law, respecting the independence of the judiciary? That is the question that comes from a political leader, former PM and leader of the largest opposition.But the question that arises now is whoassaults the judiciary? When he was PM, who tried to control the judicial system? Politicize it? It was the time when Mari Alkatiri led the Constitutional Government?

Let's examine the facts:

There was the time of government of Mari Alkatiri, who acts and facts show that the judiciary was politicized, with many cases that were closed becausethe suspects involved were some elements of the government or the nextgovernment? It is clear that the reign of Mari Alkatiri, there was the attempt to manipulate and dominate the judiciary, creating a system to defend theinterests of economic and political power.

Private sector:

This government has as its commitment to integrated development. In thefield of economic development, the private sector, was, is and will always be the partner of the state in economic development. This is not just ademagogic propaganda but concerns the practices of this government led byPrime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão. "Bet the IV Constitutional Government in the private sector as a partner in national economic development," said Deputy Prime Minister (VPM) Jose Luis Guterres at the opening of the seminar on "Role of Private Sector for Economic Development of Timor-Leste" which took place on March 28, 2009, the Salon Delta Nova, Comoro, Dili. Keep up the VPM for Social Affairs of the IV Constitutional Government, "highlight the importance of the private sector in revitalizing the national economy. This, while acknowledging the limitations of national business, due to the scarcity of resources at itsdisposal, including financial and human resources.

But the IV Constitutional Government has committed to help the private sector to develop. One of the bets of the government, to create a National Bank for Development, aims tohelp the domestic private sector. " According to the press, the spokesman of the Government, Goodwill Pereira,who stresses the importance of the private sector to national development,"one of the biggest obstacles to the Government relates to the difficulty in fostering conditions for the growth of the private. He stressed the State Secretary of the Council of Ministers: "our policies have two main objectives - to depoliticize and implement a balancing scheme in large-scaleprojects for the inclusion of East Timorese, as appropriate, to mobilize the private sector, and empower individuals and cooperatives, through the promotion of small enterprises (see the Press Release, 26/1172009).

These objectives have led, in practice, indicators of very significant growth of the private sector in Timor-Leste, the last two years, 2008/2009:

. The registration of hotels was 6 in 2007 and 66 in 2008 and employs 600 people.

. The registration of restaurants (including cottages) was 2 in 2007 and 143 in 2008, employing 1,500 people. . The registration of companies was 171 in 2007 to 850 in 2008 and 949 in 2009.

. The registration of enterprises in 1212 was 2007 of 3271 in 2008 and 1961 in 2009. · These employed 343 nationals and 32 foreigners in 2007, 378 domestic and 61 foreign nationals in 2008 and 6392 and 596 foreign nationals in 2009.

. The number of tourists in Timor-Leste has been increasing, noting inparticular 11,787 in 2006, 12,980 in 2007 and 18,905 in 2008.

· Revenue from domestic taxes increased to 2.787 million dollars in the 3rd quarter of 2009, compared with 2.67 million in the corresponding quarter of2008. At the same time, customs revenue increased from 4.55 million to 4.98 million in the same respective quarters.

These increases were achieved despite the reduced rates introduced with the new tax reform, reflecting animprovement of systems for the private sector.

Package referendum:

One of the policies of Government IV was the "Referendum Package. The objective of the creation of PR was, first, to increase the capacity of national business. And on the other hand, the decentralization of the central supply system. We have to stress that the "referendum package, does not practice discrimination in the granting of projects, one of the criteria used by the government, was of equal opportunities and is not granted on the basis of party politics. Concrete examples - almost all the district coordinators of the "Package Referendum" are businessmen linked to Fretilin. Even the family of formerPrime Minister Mari Alkatiri, also benefit from the "Package referendum. The package Referendum "(PR) was a pragmatic step and provided in the Law of the State Budget (OGE) 2009, approved by the National Parliament, promulgated by the president and published in the Official Gazette. This is the reason to make public download of Capital Development (CD) of the Ministry of Infrastructure.

The spokesman for the IV Constitutional Government, stressed the importance of "the government of Xanana Gusmão explained the plan in the amount of $ 70 million for, among other things,build and / or rehabilitating roads and bridges, sanitation and schools, improve facilities health and water supply, and respond to special needs, such as those relating to infrastructure flood control, through various projects in the thirteen districts of Timor-Leste (see Press, 28/09/2009)".

Objectives Package Referendum:

Firstly, to increase the capacity of national business. The commitment of the IV Constitutional Government, led by Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, affixed to the private sector as partner in national economic development.

Secondly, the decentralization of the central supply system. According to notes of the facts, the centralized system hindered the process in the management of the administration and made it very time consuming, and may also affect some projects.

Third, the decentralization of national development. With the PR, the development will cover all districts. As the concentration of the system generates impacts of asymmetry development, and urban centers and links the lobby with the central leaders, making their development more evident, in turn, rural areas with less access to the central power and fewer connections with the system, are affected with developmental delay. As advocated spokesman IV Government, Agio Pereira, the plan is unique in that it has been established to include the private sector is taking a special initiative to empower local businesses in the districts and sub-districts (ibid.)".

And finally, non-discrimination of domestic entrepreneurs. The package referendum "is not discriminatory towards the national entrepreneurs. The "Package Referendum" boasts around 700 East Timorese companies, stimulating thus the national economy.

Governance of emergency:

What concerns Mari Alkatiri in his article on the governance of emergency? In my opinion, reference some specific acts of this government. What? Refers to an emergency, as the problem of IDP'seo problem of Petitioners (both products of government Alkatiri). The measures taken to resolve the emergency, for the facts from 11.02.2008, attacks on the President and the PM, has imposed the state of siege. Also ordered the joint operation between F-FDTL and PNTL, with the aim of performing a conviction against the said rebels. The emergency government, whose purpose was to honor the Constitution of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, has, under the circumstances, the state to take concrete measures to maintain law and order. Measures very natural in governance emergency.

Agriculture and distribution of tractors:

The modernization of our agriculture, aims to maximize our agricultural product. With the distribution of tractors aimed to increase agriculturalproduction. On the one hand, minimize dependence on basic needs and, moreover, with the aim of reducing poverty and developing the manufacturingsector contributing to economic growth.

Consider the facts, according to data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF). Note the trend of growth in rice production in 2007, they produced about 60.420 tons of rice and the total area under rice, walked around the 31.000 hectares, while in 2009, it produced around 105.000 tons of rice and total rice acreage was around 45.000 hectares (see WHO, OGE2010). The trend of growth of agricultural production did not happen by chance, but translating a strategic policy of this Government, the modernization of agriculture through the distribution of tractors andfarming of land for free.

Single Source Projects:

What do you want, Mari Alkatiri for the term mentioned, Single Source? At the time of his rule, and may be in a state of emergency governance, there are several projects awarded to chronically or circles around Mari Alkatiri, through the famous 'single source'. To name a few, in an emergency policy and not tell the emergency government, around 53 projects in central supply,not through the process of tenderization but the distribution of businessmen linked to the party of Mari Alkatiri. In return, these businesses contributed 5% to party coffers. The purpose of the governance of emergency or political emergency, was also to finance the political campaign of Fretilin in 2007 presidential campaign and legislative. It was during the government of Mari Alkatiri, through 'Single Source', the company Cavalo Bravo Ltd, has the exclusive right to buy weapons for the officers and later on the eve of the crisis of 2006, distributed by the militias civilians, pro-Fretilin, that is, the more famous "Death Squad ofAlkatiri."

Freedom of Press:

Mari Alkatiri also questioned the freedom of the press in East Timor,calling into question the Government led by PM Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão. According to Mari Alkatiri, "the government of Xanana has made every effort to control the average. Completely controls TVTL”. If memory serves me right, who put pressure on the average, while denouncing the measures and policies of the government? Who called the leaders of the mean, threatening and blackmailing? The STL, the time of the reign of Mari Alkatiri, was the victim of persecution, having been taken from the space it occupied in Colmera. Who tried at all costs, control the media, through the introduction of the Criminal Code, the 'figure of criminality', while the average journalist or published articles or news, which could threaten to move to the Hotel Becora LP (Prison Becora)? Alkatiri used the instrument of the state to carry out political persecutions.

Thankfully, the former President, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão vetoed the Code of Criminal Procedure (CPP). Who, I recently phoned a few editors or newspaper editors to express theirdissatisfaction with some news related to the position of Mari Alkatiri onthe "Referendum Package"? And threatened to take him to court? What would happen if Mari Alkatiri to lead the IV Constitutional Government? Do not developed a policy of harassment of the media? Said the editor of this newspaper: "The PM Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, never called us to press, because of reports that criticized him." This government, led by PM Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, has as its commitment to help develop the average or the national press. The agreement between the East Timor Press Club (TLPC) and the Government, will help disseminate information to the databases. The Government has committed to take forward the development process, in which the role of the mean is important. The question raised Mari Alkatiri, is thus called into question, concluding that the newspapers themselves, and the average in general, sharply criticized some policies and measures of this government. In the case of Time Weekly (TS), a member of TLPC, for example, made severe criticisms of some measures of Government IV.

Not partisan election of community leaders:

To some experts in political science, the failure to include political parties in local elections, was considered an important step and a new paradigm. The law was clear: there is involvement of political parties in the elections of community leaders, as a party leader could claim thevictory of his party?One thing is certain, the readings on the outcome of the election forcommunity leaders were diverse. The position of Mari Alkatiri, was to claim the victory of his party which translated in practice, the protest against the IV Constitutional Government led by Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão. In this sense, called to the President to convene early elections.

From the perspective of supporters of the AMP (Alliance Parliamentary Majority), the victory was the people, with a twofold argument: first, according to the law, the non-involvement of political parties in theelection of community leaders, and second, the election of community leadership .

Accordingly, it is important to the image of a leader, your ability and work performance. In many cases, the former community leaders, who were Fretilin, only because the people voted on them, does not mean that voted in the party to which they belong. As I said the Secretary of State for Energy Policy (SEPE), Avelino Coelho, in his speech in the debate on the OGE2010 in its specialty, "the people do not belong to any political party, but belongs to her conscience (See TVTL News,25/11/2009)”.

*Editor of Forum Haksesuk!

Portuguese Version:

http://forum-haksesuk.blogspot.com/2009/12/iv-governo-constitucional-ou-alianca.html

Tetum Version:
http://forum-haksesuk.blogspot.com/2009/12/iv-governo-constitucional-ou-alianca_09.html

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