East Timor: newly formed Council of Ministers holds first
formal meeting
24 September – The newly formed all-Timorese
Council of Ministers - which replaces the East Timor Transitional Cabinet
- held its first formal meeting today, marking another step on East
Timor's path toward full independence, the United Nations Transitional
Administration in the territory (UNTAET) said in a statement.
Attending the meeting on an exceptional basis, UNTAET chief Sergio
Vieira de Mello reiterated his support for the Council, also known as the
Second Transitional Government.
"I am very pleased because this Council of Minister represents, in a
concrete way, the dream of freedom for which so many Timorese fought and
died," said Mr. Vieira de Mello, who formerly chaired the meetings of the
Transitional Cabinet. He added that the process was part of the UN's plans
to grant the people of East Timor gradual self-governance before
independence.
Referring to the "innovative relationship" between UNTAET and the
Council of Ministers, Mr. Vieira de Mello said East Timor was about to
initiate something that had never been done before - an administration
that is still the UN, but in which the executive power was in the hands of
an East Timorese Government with democratic legitimacy. "This phase is
perhaps the most demanding one so far," he said.
Also speaking at today's session, the Chief Minister and Minister of
Economy and Development, Marí Alkatiri, briefed Council members on a range
of economic issues. Members also heard the Senior Minister for Foreign
Affairs and Cooperation, José Ramos-Horta, who spoke about East Timor's
foreign policy in general and its relationship with other countries, in
particular Indonesia.
The Second Transitional Government and its Council of Ministers will
govern East Timor during the remaining transitional period before its
independence as a democratic and sovereign State, which is expected early
next year.
The Transitional Government has its powers reinforced, formulating
policies and supervising a newly formed Public Administration. According
to the regulation establishing the Government, the Transitional
Administrator, who has legislative and ultimate executive authority over
the body, shall be regularly consulted by the Council of Ministers.
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UN and United Kingdom team up to bolster livestock
production in poor States
24 September – Responding to the
growing need for livestock in developing countries, the United Nations
Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO)
and the United Kingdom today announced a new joint initiative to help cut
poverty while promoting safe farming.
The UK Department for International Development will grant $13 million
to the six-year project, which aims to promote policy reforms in support
of poor livestock producers and reduce their exposure to risks such as
drought and animal diseases.
Demand for livestock could double in the next two decades, prompting
producers to move from dry to more humid areas where animal disease can
more easily spread, according to FAO. The agency warned that an increase
in livestock production close to cities could severely damage the
environment and pose public health risks.
The initiative will serve to "break down the financial, technical,
social and cultural barriers that restrict the access of poorer people to
the potential offered by livestock," said Louise Fresco, Assistant
Director of FAO's Agriculture Department.
The new project will also serve to raise awareness among opinion
makers, especially in developed countries, about issues associated with
livestock and the poor, according to FAO.
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