'Radar Timor' daily goes belly up

KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: The daily newspaper Radar Timor, owned by former governor of East Timor, Abilio Jose Osario Soares, was officially closed down on Friday due to financial problems.

The newspaper, which started printing in 2000, had experienced severe financial management problems since last year. The editor- in-chief, Silvester Sega, said that after the official shutdown, all the editorial workers and employees would be given three months' pay on a rotating basis.

"After evaluating the financial development and the marketing prospects of the newspaper, the investors and the management have decided to close down the newspaper. It is the right decision, although it will affect dozens of the employees, who will lose their jobs," Silvester said.

Radar Timor was printed in Kupang and widely read by East Nusa Tenggara residents. It was also widely read by many displaced East Timorese, who had been in camps in East Nusa Tenggara province until most were repatriated. -- JP