COO Sutera Talks of Development after a Civil War.

The Chief Operating Officer for Sutera Harbour talks about the Tasi Tolu Development.  350-1000 room hotel wil a gold course, hillside villas and other sundry luxury facilities.

Also mention of a Water Park - in one of the driest parts of the city.   The part of the video which relates to Timor starts at 4 min 40 secs. Interestingly he describes the occupation as a "civil war".

SHR Interview from Tourism-Insider on Vimeo.

Bere, Free At Last.

Oct. 30 2009 - 11:16 pm

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Indonesia brought home a suspected militia leader accused in a massacre of dozens of women, children and priests in a church in East Timor a decade ago, the Foreign Ministry said.

Maternus Bere arrived in Indonesia on Friday and was taken to a hospital with undisclosed health problems, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Teuku Faizasyah. He faces no charges in Indonesia and will be a free man after treatment.

An Indonesian national, Bere was indicted by UN prosecutors in 2003 on charges of crimes against humanity, including murder, persecution, forced disappearances, torture, extermination and abduction.

More than 1,000 people were killed by pro-Indonesian militias when East Timor voted to break from Indonesia in 1999, but more than 300 suspects remain at large, most of them in Indonesia. Leaders from both countries oppose criminal trials so rights activists have called for the establishment of a UN tribunal.

Bere was recognized during a visit to Suai, the town where the massacre took place in September 1999, and was arrested by Timorese police in early August.

He was handed over to the Indonesian Embassy at Jakarta's insistence after negotiations between the two governments on Aug. 30, the 10th anniversary of the tiny country's vote to become an independent state.

East Timor's Supreme Court is investigating whether Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao violated the constitution by ordering Bere's release.

Judges say political leaders illegally bypassed the courts with the release, highlighting the continuing challenge to establish an independent and viable judiciary after the tiny state broke from hundreds of years of colonialism in 2002.

Associated Press

Environmentally Unsound: Brought to You By Evangelicals

Rubber, Banana, Zenilda and Tan Sri Datuk Eugenio Campos - Make up Your Own Mind

wideform and the govt

coppers

"Take a Bite of Banana", Banana.

Removed on request.

Cristo Rei

From a reader:

"This is the 'Beautification of Cristo Rei' project.

The fresh paint is nice and bright, but the rubbish left behind is even more colorful.  Of course the rains will wash that away, but then it will make an encore visit on the beaches and on the reefs. 

There used to be quite a lot of trees on the beach and along the steps, but perhaps those are just too messy. 

And there is currently a very large pile of broken marble from at the base of the statue...I can only hope this doesn't get pushed over the side too. 

Guess it's time for the UN to schedule one of those clean up days again......but not until the beautification project is complete....that's when it will really be needed."

Merpati Deemed Unsafe to Fly by European Commission

Which airlines can you trust?

Travelbite logo

http://uk.travel.yahoo.com/p-promo-2944337

Aviation has been struck by severe turbulence in 2009 - with the financial woes generated by the global recession compounded by sustained assaults on the environmental sustainability of the industry.

But - while the IATA has warned airlines could lose over £9 billion over the course of the year, and the UK's Committee on Climate Change suggesting air travel may have to be rationed in order to survive - it is safety which has generated the greatest concern for passengers.

Crashes over the Atlantic (Air France) and in New York (US Airways), have focused public attention on safety in the skies - prompting many to ask how safe it really is to fly?

Apples

European Commission

But what many do not realise is the extraordinary amount of work which goes on behind the scenes to protect their safety.

A lot of this work is carried out in the sober corridors of the European Commission, which regularly audits airlines from around the world to ensure they meet the exacting criteria necessary to fly European citizens. Airlines which fail to make the grade will simply not be allowed to fly in European airspace.

"We cannot afford any compromises in air safety, we have to remain vigilant; citizens have the right to fly safely every where in the world," explains commission vice-president Antonio Tajani.

Blacklist

The first line of defence against potentially unsafe airlines is the Commission's blacklist - which details all airlines barred from European airspace. While largely composed of African and Asian airlines, there are also a number closer to home:

Name of the legal entity of the carrier State of the operator

Ariana Afghan Airlines (AFG)* Afghanistan

Aerojet Angola

Air26 Angola

Air Gemini Angola

Air Gicango Angola

Air Jet Angola

Air Nave Angola

Alada Angola

Angola Air Services Angola

Diexim Angola

Gira Globo Angola

Heliang Angola

Helimalongo Angola

Mavewa Angola

Rui & Conceicao Angola

Sonair Angola

Aero Benin Benin

Africa Airways Benin

Alafia Jet (IGA) Benin

Benin Golf Air Benin

Benin Littoral Airways (BLA) Benin

Cotair Benin

Royal Air Benin

Trans Air (TNB) Benin

Siem Reap Airways International (SRH) Cambodia

Air Koryo (KOR) Democratic People's Republic of Korea

Africa One (CFR) Democratic Republic of Congo

African Air Services Commuter Democratic Republic of Congo

Aigle Aviation Democratic Republic of Congo

Air Beni Democratic Republic of Congo

Air Boyoma Democratic Republic of Congo

Air Infini Democratic Republic of Congo

Air Kasai Democratic Republic of Congo

Air Katanga Democratic Republic of Congo

Air Navette Democratic Republic of Congo

Air Tropiques Democratic Republic of Congo

Bel Glob Airlines Democratic Republic of Congo

Blue Airlines (BUL) Democratic Republic of Congo

Bravo Air Congo Democratic Republic of Congo

Business Aviation Democratic Republic of Congo

Busy Bee Congo Democratic Republic of Congo

Butembo Airlines Democratic Republic of Congo

Cargo Bull Aviation Democratic Republic of Congo

Cetraca Aviation Service (CER) Democratic Republic of Congo

CHC Stellavia Democratic Republic of Congo

Comair Democratic Republic of Congo

Compagnie Africaine D'aviation Democratic Republic of Congo

Doren Air Congo Democratic Republic of Congo

El Sam Airlift Democratic Republic of Congo

Entreprise World Airways Democratic Republic of Congo

Espace Aviation Service Democratic Republic of Congo

Filair Democratic Republic of Congo

Free Airlines Democratic Republic of Congo

Galaxy Kavatsi Democratic Republic of Congo

Gilembe Air Soutenance Democratic Republic of Congo

Goma Express Democratic Republic of Congo

Gomair Democratic Republic of Congo

Great Lake Business Company Democratic Republic of Congo

Hewa Bora Airways (ALX) Democratic Republic of Congo

International Trans Air Business Democratic Republic of Congo

Katanga Airways Democratic Republic of Congo

Kin Avia Democratic Republic of Congo

Kivu Air Democratic Republic of Congo

Lignes Aeriennes Congolaises (LCG) Democratic Republic of Congo

Malu Aviation Democratic Republic of Congo

Malila Airlift (MLC) Democratic Republic of Congo

Mango Aviation Democratic Republic of Congo

Piva Airlines Democratic Republic of Congo

Rwakabika Bushi Express Democratic Republic of Congo

Safari Logistics Sprl Democratic Republic of Congo

Safe Air Company Democratic Republic of Congo

Services Air Democratic Republic of Congo

Sun Air Services Democratic Republic of Congo

Swala Aviation Democratic Republic of Congo

Tembo Air Services Democratic Republic of Congo

Thom's Airways Democratic Republic of Congo

Tmk Air Commuter Democratic Republic of Congo

Tracep Congo Aviation Democratic Republic of Congo

Trans Air Cargo Services Democratic Republic of Congo

Transports Aeriens Congolais Democratic Republic of Congo

Virunga Air Charter Democratic Republic of Congo

Wimbi Dira Airways (WDA) Democratic Republic of Congo

Zaabu International Democratic Republic of Congo

Cronos Airlines Equatorial Guinea

Ceiba Intercontinental (CEL) Equatorial Guinea

Egams (EGM) Equatorial Guinea

Euroguineana De Aviacion Y Transportes (EUG) Equatorial Guinea

General Work Aviacion Equatorial Guinea

Getra - Guinea Ecuatorial De Transportes Aereos (GET) Equatorial Guinea

Guinea Airways Equatorial Guinea

Star Equatorial Airlines Equatorial Guinea

Utage – Union De Transport Aereo De Guinea Equatorial Guinea

Ecuatorial (UTG) Equatorial Guinea

Air Services Gabon

Air Tourist (Allegiance) (NIL) Gabon

Nationale Et Regionale Transport (Nationale) (NRT) Gabon

Nouvelle Air Affaires Gabon (NVS) Gabon

Scd Aviation Gabon

Sky Gabon (SKG) Gabon

Solenta Aviation Gabon Gabon

Air Pacific Utama Indonesia

Alfa Trans Dirgantata Indonesia

Asco Nusa Air Transport Indonesia

Asi Pudjiastuti Indonesia

Atlas Delta Satya Indonesia

Aviastar Mandiri Indonesia

Balai Kalibrasi Fasitas Penerbangan Indonesia

Cardig Air Indonesia

Dabi Air Indonesia

Deraya Air Taxi (DRY) Indonesia

Derazona Air Service Indonesia

Dirgantara Air Service (DIR) Indonesia

Eastindo Indonesia

Ekspress Transportasi Antar Benua Indonesia

Gatari Air Service (GHS) Indonesia

Indonesia AirAsia (AWQ) Indonesia

Indonesia Air Transport (IDA) Indonesia

Intan Angkasa Air Service Indonesia

Kal Star Indonesia

Kartika Airlines (KAE) Indonesia

Kura-Kura Aviation Indonesia

Lion Air (LNI) Indonesia

Linus Airways Indonesia

Manunggal Air Service Indonesia

Megantara Airlines Indonesia

Merpati Nusantara Airlines (MNA) Indonesia

Metro Batavia (BTV) Indonesia

Mimika Air Indonesia

National Utility Helicopter Indonesia

Nusantara Buana Air Indonesia

Nyaman Air Indonesia

Pelita Air Service (PAS) Indonesia

Penerbangan Angkasa Semesta Indonesia

Pura Wisata Baruna Indonesia

Republic Ekspress (RPH) Indonesia

Riau Airlines (RIU) Indonesia

Sampoerna Air Nusantara Indonesia

Sayap Garuda Indah Indonesia

Smac (SMC) Indonesia

Sriwijaya Air (SJY) Indonesia

Survei Udara Penas Indonesia

Transwisata Prima Aviation Indonesia

Travel Ekspress Aviation Service (XAR) Indonesia

Travira Utama Indonesia

Tri Mg Intra Airlines (TMG) Indonesia

Trigana Air Service (TGN) Indonesia

Wing Abadi Nusantara (WON) Indonesia

Air Company Kokshetau (KRT) Kazakhstan

Atma Airlines (AMA) Kazakhstan

Berkut Air/Bek Air (BKT) Kazakhstan

East Wing (Airline) (EWZ) Kazakhstan

Sayat Air (SYM) Kazakhstan

Starline KZ (LMZ) Kazakhstan

Air Manas (MBB) Kyrgyz Republic

Avia Traffic Company (AVJ) Kyrgyz Republic

Aerostan (Ex Bistair-Fez Bishkek) (BSC) Kyrgyz Republic

Click Airways (CGK) Kyrgyz Republic

Dames (DAM) Kyrgyz Republic

Eastok Avia Kyrgyz Republic

Golden Rule Airlines (GRS) Kyrgyz Republic

Itek Air 04 (IKA) Kyrgyz Republic

Kyrgyz Trans Avia (KTC) Kyrgyz Republic

Kyrgyzstan (LYN) Kyrgyz Republic

Max Avia (MAI) Kyrgyz Republic

S Group Aviation Kyrgyz Republic

Sky Gate International Aviation (SGD) Kyrgyz Republic

Sky Way Air (SAB) Kyrgyz Republic

Tenir Airlines (TEB) Kyrgyz Republic

Trast Aero (TSJ) Kyrgyz Republic

Valor Air Kyrgyz Republic

Silverback Cargo Freighters (VRB) Rwanda

Air Rum, Ltd (RUM) Sierra Leone

Destiny Air Services, Ltd (DTY) Sierra Leone

Heavylift Cargo Sierra Leone

Orange Air Sierra Leone Ltd (ORJ) Sierra Leone

Paramount Airlines, Ltd (PRR) Sierra Leone

Seven Four Eight Air Services Ltd (SVT) Sierra Leone

Teebah Airways Sierra Leone

Air West Co.Ltd (AWZ) Sudan

Aero Africa (RFC) Swaziland

Jet Africa Swaziland (OSW) Swaziland

Royal Swazi National Airways Corporation (RSN) Swaziland

Scan Air Charter Ltd Swaziland

Swazi Express Airways (SWX) Swaziland

Swaziland Airlink (SZL) Swaziland

One Two Go Airlines Company Limited (OTG) Thailand

Motor Sich Airlines (MSI) Ukraine

Ukraine Cargo Airways (UKS) Ukraine

Ukrainian Mediterranean Airlines (UKM) Ukraine

Volare Aviation Enterprise (VRE) Ukraine

Can Airlines be Redeemed?

The European Commission argues one of the principal benefits of its blacklist – other than keeping Europeans out of unsafe planes - is the encouragement it offers to prohibited airlines to reform.

"The list acts a strong incentive to remedy safety deficiencies; withdrawal from the list is indeed possible, when the parties concerned put effectively in place sound corrective action to comply with all relevant safety standards," explained the Commission.

The most recent list, for example, saw four Indonesian airlines - Garuda Indonesia, Airfast Indonesia, Mandala Airlines and Premiair – removed from the list following "significant" safety improvements by the Indonesian civil aviation authority.

Safe to Fly

So then, with unsafe airlines banned and others encouraged to improve, European travellers can be reassured of their safety. Indeed the aforementioned Air France crash aroused such high levels of concern because it involved a flag-carrying European airline. Crashes involving such respected aviation companies are simply not supposed to happen.

But it is likely the event was the exception which proved the rule, with the European Commission acting to prevent unsafe airlines even offering their services on the continent.

Worst Oil Spill Ever?

Full story here.

Environmental DISASTER: This is the Timor Sea in October 2009

On 21 August 2009 a Thai owned and operated oil rig in the Australian section of the Timor Sea experienced a major blow out.

After two months of spewing crude oil and other junk into the Timor Sea it is not appearing as though considerably more effluent has been dumped into the Timor Sea than the operator was admitting too - only after several failed attempted at plugging the blowout 2.5 km below the seabed.

Two fellow bloggers know much more about it than the DI - check them out 1) Return to Rai Ketak and 2) Skytruth.

Check out the Corporate Social Responsibility page for PTTE the operator in question.  Geez.  Planting trees again.....

UN Protect Environment By Deeding Scrap Metal to Timor

Ya, right.  Check out Google Earth and look at the UN junk sitting in Western Dili since 2003.

From SATMI to Commander: Give me the money up front. Hilarious.

Stuff for Jendral Longuinos

The people that sell this equipment move in the same circles as people who sells guns.

All photos from a FRETILIN Member of Parliament's facebook page.

UNMIT Mentors?

unmit_unpol_mentoring@un.org

Indo Ambo

Claim illness and Get a Get Out of Jail Free Card.

Rai Los, Rogerio Lobato and now Maternus Bere.

What do they all have in common.

They are all accused of serious crimes, and the case of Rai Los and Rogerio Lobato they are convicted of these crimes.

However, in order escape the natural course of justice they are all given their freedom.  And they all spend time in the medical system of a foreign country, courtesy of the government of 
Timor-Leste in order to walk free.  The Government now says poor Bere is ill and needs to go home for medical care.

This country is really becoming something of a joke.  

Too bad the joke is in such poor taste.

Chinese Junk

Sent in by a reader:

"This is an example of standards for decommissioned generators in China. You can clearly see that decommissioned generators (such as the ones purchased by the Government in Guandong Province) cannot be used to generate power for domestic areas.

Perhaps the Parliamentarians should read through some of the reports mentioned in this letter, who knows perhaps they might find the Sulzers and the PC4 decommissioned generators that CNI22 purchased.

The pertinent part of the translation is: "....same set of facilities have been confirm decommissioning and suspended by National and Province."   Further that in relation to the equipment in question, referred to as "abandoned decommissioned generator", "The successful bidder shall not reinstall the machine and its facilities or generate electricity in domestic area."

It seems scrap metal in China was deemed good enough to bring over to Timor-Leste, just as we and NGO's have been saying."

A present from Kota Kinablu