C O N F I D E N T I A L DILI 000245

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EAP/MTS; USPACOM FOR JOC AND POLAD; JOINT STAFF FOR J5

E.O. 12958: DECL: 5/22/2016
TAGS: PGOV PHUM ASEC MARR KDEM TT
SUBJECT: CHARGE MEETS WITH STATE MINISTER ANA PESSOA


CLASSIFIED BY: Paul W. Turnbull, Major, US Defense
Representative, Office of Defense Cooperation, DOD.
REASON: 1.4 (b), (d)




1. (C) SUMMARY: Charge Stein and USAID representative Fuller
held a warm meeting with Senior Minister and Minister for State
Administration Ana Pessoa on May 22, 2006 to discuss the
commission she leads to investigate the grievances of the former
FDTL soldiers, the "petitioners" dismissed earlier this year.
Pessoa expressed appreciation for the assistance the U.S. has
given thus far for relief and rehabilitation, and emphasized
that it is now very important that accurate information be
conveyed to the petitioners residing in the western districts.
With this goal in mind, she asked for USG assistance in
delivering newspapers and repairing community radio stations.
Charge suggested that the Commission prepare an informational
pamphlet that could be inserted into the newspapers or otherwise
distributed to the petitioners. Pessoa agreed and promised to
follow-up on the suggestion of a pamphlet with commission
members. END SUMMARY.


2. (C) Pessoa stated that many of the petitioners are young men
who have little formal education and are thus easily manipulated
by others. Much of the information these young men receive is
misleading and transmitted to them by their older colleagues and
leaders who often have their own motives and goals. Many
petitioners, she said, erroneously believe that an attack from
FDTL is imminent and have been told that the group needs to
stick together for protection. Few have a correct understanding
of the work of her commission. Therefore, she warmly welcomes
U.S. assistance in getting correct factual information conveyed
to these petitioners and their families. She suggested that the
U.S. help in sending newspapers to the areas where petitioners
reside and requested that the U.S. assist in repairing community
radio stations so they can disseminate information. (Note. The
GOET has no funding this fiscal year to help repair radio
stations, and new funding will not become available until July.
End Note).


3. (C) Charge informed her that USAID has been assisting in the
delivery of newspapers to those in IDP camps for several days
now. Pessoa expressed thanks but said since the IDP situation
has improved, the focus should now shift to the petitioners
residing in the western districts. Charge suggested that the
Commission prepare some sort of fact sheet in pamphlet form that
could be inserted into newspapers. Pessoa appeared to support
this idea and promised to discuss it with commission members in
a meeting later today and possibly even prepare the pamphlets
for distribution within the next couple days.


4. (C) COMMENT. The meeting with Pessoa was facilitated by
Foreign Minister Jose Ramos Horta who is spearheading the GOET
response to the dissident military groups. When Charge
suggested to Horta during a meeting on May 20 that an
information campaign might be useful to correct the
misinformation that is received by petitioners, Horta agreed and
immediately telephoned Pessoa. Having now received Pessoa's
formal request for assistance, USAID is seeking ways to help
community radio stations located in the western districts and
will send the two portable radio stations previously funded by
USAID to those areas identified by the GOET as having the
greatest need. END COMMENT.

STEIN