Work has begun on filming a new soap opera in Timor Leste aimed at building peace in the country.

The soap opera, part of an IOM programme funded by the European Commission (EC) aimed at enhancing stability in Timor Leste through the sustainable reintegration of internally displaced people (IDPs), follows the fortune of two orphaned brothers who move to the capital seeking fame and fortune. Instead, they find their new neighbourhood in turmoil.

While the recent closure of the country's tented IDP camps resolved primary issues of displacement, the government

SC/9774

Security Council
6205th Meeting (AM)

Timorese Prime Minister Outlines Broad Institutional Progress, But Says That Scaling-up Investment in Development Key to Cementing Gains

A stable and steady approach on the part of the international community was required to ensure the long-term stability of Timor-Leste, Atul Khare, Special Representative of the Secretary-General, told the Security Council this morning.

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) welcomed donations totalling US$1.43 million from the Governments of Spain and Brazil to support thousands of school children with mid-morning meals. The aid will help purchase beans and other food as part of the School Meals Programme, which not only improves enrolment and attendance of children going to school, but also their ability to focus on learning. The programme covers 324,000 children in all 13 districts.

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) today welcomed additional support that will enable thousands of children in Timor-Leste to receive meals while attending school.

A $1.4 million contribution from the Governments of Spain and Brazil to the country's School Meals Programme, which will be channelled through WFP, will support meals for two months.

"This is a very timely donation as the School Meals Programme is in urgent need of additional resources," said Xinmin Zhao, WFP Acting Country Director in Timor-Leste.

"All children from grades one to

DILI, Oct 16, 2009 (AFP) - East Timor's opposition Fretilin party said there had been a "huge swing" against the government in recent village or 'suco' elections, even though candidates were supposed to be independent.

"The suco elections, our community leaders elections, held across the country last Friday show that the (ruling coalition) parties' votes have crashed," Fretilin lawmaker Arsenio Bano said in a statement.

Fretilin says 66 percent of the newly elected local councils are aligned with the party or its allies, despite

BOB MCMULLAN MP
PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY
FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE
FEDERAL MEMBER FOR FRASER

A new economic report says creative policies in labour, trade and energy management will enable the Pacific and East Timor to build economic resilience.

The report, Pacific Economic Survey 2009, engaging with the world was launched in Tonga today by Australia's Parliamentary Secretary for International Development Assistance, Bob McMullan.

The survey was prepared by the Australian Government's overseas aid agency, AusAID, and specialists from the Pacific

Matt Crook

DILI, Oct 8, 2009 (AFP) - Hundreds of thousands of East Timorese are expected to vote in village elections on Friday, in the seventh election the fledgling nation has held since its 1999 vote to split from Indonesia.

Past elections in East Timor have been marred by tension and fighting and Friday's polls are being seen as a test of the country's political maturity as the United Nations mission prepares to wind down its operations.

UN Police and the national force, the PNTL, are jointly handling security for the elections and extra officers

Dili_(dpa) _ Australian Defence Minister John Faulkner visited East Timor Saturday and reiterated his country's commitment to maintaining security in the newly formed country, officials said.

Faulkner met with East Timorese Vice Prime Minister Jose Luis Guteres, Defence Secretary Julio Tomas Pinto and Chief Major Lere Ana of the Falintil-FDTL (Force de Defesa de Timor Leste) on a brief trip to Dili to discuss the military cooperation among the two countries. "I am very happy that the minister of Australia reiterated