World newspaper group to rebuild E. Timor press

World newspaper group to rebuild E. Timor press

PARIS (Agencies): The World Association of Newspapers (WAN) said it was launching a mission with the UN cultural agency UNESCO to rebuild the newspaper industry in East Timor.

The two Paris-based groups will seek funding from the international community to re-establish an independent press in the war-battered former Portuguese colony.

East Timor has been under UN rule since its vote for independence from Indonesia in August triggered violent retaliation from pro-Jakarta militia groups. Hundreds of people were killed and 250,000 fled their homes during the rampage.

"Establishing a strong, free press is a vital and urgent priority in the process of building a new democracy on the island," Timothy Balding, director general of the newspaper association, said in a statement.

The project, which follows similar initiatives in Kosovo, Serbia and Macedonia, will send technical experts to East Timor from Jan. 30 to Feb. 3 to assess local needs in terms of printing and distribution, the association said.

WAN represents 17,000 newspapers in its brief to promote press freedom around the world.

Separately, East Timor independence leader Xanana Gusmao met South Korean Foreign Minister Lee Joung-Binn on Friday in Seoul, the first full day of a visit here to drum up support for his fledging state's reconstruction.

The national leader thanked South Korea for supporting his Southeast Asian homeland's independence and reconstruction drives, said Cho Jung-Pyo, director general of the ministry's Asian and Pacific Affairs Bureau.

"I was impressed by South Korea's support for us at the time in need," Xanana was quoted by Cho as telling Lee during the talks.

"The East Timorese thank and highly evaluate the roles of South Korean peacekeeping forces in the region," Xanana said. Lee vowed Seoul's continued support for East Timor, Cho said.

Seoul has set aside US$1 million for East Timor, with $400,000 already donated through the United Nations as its contribution to help reconstruct the once war-ravaged territory.

Seoul also sent 419 peacekeeping soldiers to help quell unrest on the island in October.

Xanana also met with South Korean Defense Minister Cho Sung- Tae to discuss security issues in East Timor amid lingering fears it further flare ups of violence.