Xanana Nominated Emilia As CareTaker And Allow His Deputy PM To Stand Trial

Tempo Semanal-Dili, 01.03.2011

East Timor Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao Wrote from Havana (28/02) the country's President, DR. Jose Ramos Horta on the nomination Emilia Pires the current Finance Minister as his caretaker until Xanana's return East Timor on 11/03/2011.

"I nominated the Ministry of Finance, Emilia Pires, to be in charge of the affairs of the Government, until my return,” Said Xanana to Horta in a letter which Tempo Semanal has obtain a copy.

In the same letter PM allow his current Deputy PM, DR. Jose Luis Guterres to stand trial which plan to start from tomorrow (02/03) until 09/03/2011.

 “It having come to my knowledge that Deputy Prime Minister, will soon be heard by the Court,” Xanana explain.

Xanana letter already in the parliament and was confirmed by CNRT banch.

“I think the PM letter is explain very detail that he has nominated Minister Finance to take care all Government affairs till his return,” said Aderito Hugo da costa the spokesperson from CNRT Party in Parliament.

The parliament has not seat yet to discuss about the remove the Immunity of Deputy PM.

“Immunity is not a problem here. The PM’s letter is in the parliament and has been looking into it carefully. It’s not a matter to remove or not to remove the immunity. The important things here is the person is going to stand the trail as set by the court,” Hugo said.

Fretilin has demand for the removal of DR. Jose Luis Guterres from his position but the parliament has not removed Deputy PM’s immunity to stand until today.

The East Timor Prosecution office alleged Deputy PM involve in allegation of Corruption and Nepotisms offer the appointment of his wife as second secretary to East Timor mission for UN in New york in 2006.

But President DR. Ramos Horta has declared publicly that he was recommended for the nomination and the deputy Foreign Minister who has signed the contract is not accused in the case.

In PM’s letter not mention the name of his Foreign Minister DR. Zacarias albano da Costa which Dili District tribunal has rejected his involvement in the same case on 19/11/2010.

But in the annual report to the country parliament in last two weeks ago, East Timor’s Prosecutor General, DRA. Ana Pessoa still mention DR. Zacarias Albano da Costa as one of the accused. (TS)