CHARGE MEETS WITH STATE MINISTER ANA PESSOA

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