Are you able to make a cash donation?
It is very pleasing to report that CET now has six volunteers willing to go to East Timor in September 2007 to implement the Pilot Project, and we also have all the radio equipment and a substantial amount of the funds needed for this Project.
However, based on the current financial position for the Campaign, we need to raise another $25,000 in cash to cover the balance of the Pilot Project costs and also to fund a very important visit by our Chairman, Peter de Haas, to East Timor in the July-August timeframe (please refer to the item CET Pro-Bono Consultancy below).
While it is always hard to ask for funds, we really have no option but to invite all of our supporters and donors to please consider a tax deductible donation before 30 June to help us with the funding still needed to achieve CET’s objectives this year.
If you and would like more information, please contact the Campaign Office on
07 40976605.
Imrovements in East Timor
Over the past few months, we have been carefully monitoring the overall political and security situation in East Timor. Importantly, the recent presidential elections were conducted without too many incidents and in a way which has been praised by the international community. Also, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs has recently downgraded the level of its travel warning, advising Australians that it is now safer than previously to travel to East Timor.
Most of you may already be aware that Dr Jose Ramos-Horta, who became Prime Minister after Dr Mari Alkatiri resigned in 2006, has now been elected as the new President with some 69% support in the second round ballot held earlier this month.
CET congratulates Dr Ramos-Horta and fervently hopes that, in his new role, he will be able to continue as a strong advocate for the improvement of telecommunications across East Timor, particularly in rural areas.
The outgoing President, Xanana Gusmao, is standing for parliament as leader of a new party. Some observers are predicting that he could well become the next Prime Minister.
Parliamentary elections have been announced for 30 June 2007.
CET Pilot Project....the waiting game!
Last week, Peter de Haas was contacted by ‘Dino’ the young man from Lacluta who came to Brisbane for CET training last year. Dino stated that the leaders in Lacluta keep asking him when the village radio system will be installed. They are very much looking forward to the benefits the CET Pilot Project will deliver for their community…remembering that their nearest phone service is 35 kms away!
Dino was relieved to learn that the Pilot Project remains scheduled for September and that CET expects to be in a position to make a firm GO decision after the
30 June parliamentary elections are completed.
The volunteer project team, under the leadership of Alan Collier, has been planning and preparing for the project on the assumption that it will proceed as scheduled. Final budgets and equipment lists have been prepared and various advance orders have been placed, particularly for items known to be in high demand such as solar power supplies.
CET Pro Bono Consultancy
One of the objectives that the CET team set for 2007 is to: “Secure a high priority (and ideally, funding) for full-scale CET implementation in the Government of Timor-Leste Sector Investment Program for telecommunications”.
To achieve this, Peter de Haas is currently leading a pro-bono consultancy for the Ministry of Transport and Communications. Using the skills and expertise available within the CET volunteers, a detailed report and a draft Cabinet submission have now been prepared and have been issued to the Ministry for consideration.
(In the Australian telecommunications market, the minimum value of this in-kind contribution would be in the range AUD40-60,000.)
The primary objective of this work is to invite the Government of East Timor to consider investing in the full scale implementation of a national village radio network in accordance with the CET vision. Given that an incoming government would be interested in some ‘quick wins’ to demonstrate its credentials, CET anticipates that it will be very timely to have a documented proposal available for their early consideration.
The consultancy project has unassailably confirmed that, if adequate funds were available, a village radio network is the best alternative for rural communications and could be implemented across the country to interconnect some 490 villages in about two years.
So far the feedback from the Ministry in relation to the draft consultancy recommendations has been very positive and encouraging.
Peter de Haas is planning to visit East Timor in July-August for face to face meetings to discuss the results of this consultancy project and to promote a full scale deployment of a village radio network across all rural areas of East Timor as soon as possible after the Pilot Project is completed.
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