East Timor Legal Information Site
CRISIS 2006 STATEMENTS SEPTEMBER
Permanent Mission of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste to the United Nations
866 Second Avenue, 9th Floor New York, N.Y. 10017
Tel:(1) 212 759 3675 / Fax: (1) 212 759 4196 E-Mail timor-leste@un.int
Statement by H.E. Mr. Jose Luis Guterres
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Timor-Leste at the 61st session of the United Nations General Assembly
New York, 27th September 2006
Your Excellency Madame President of the General Assembly Your Excellency Mr. Secretary-General of the United Nations Excellencies
Distinguished delegates
1- On behalf of the President, the Government and the people of Timor-Leste, allow me to congratulate you on your election to preside over the 61st session of the General Assembly. Your experience and diplomatic competency will ensure the success of this august body.
2- I would also like to congratulate your predecessor, Mr. Jan Eliasson of Sweden, for his critical role in
the reform of the United Nations, including the establishment of the Human Rights Council and the Peacebuilding Commission.
3- I would also like to extend my congratulation to their Excellencies, the Permanent Representatives and experts, for their positive contribution during the long and arduous negotiations. I take this opportunity to also congratulate H.E. the Ambassador of Angola, Gaspar Martins, for his election as President of the Peacebuilding Commission.
4- Allow me to extend our congratulations to the people and Government of Montenegro for its membership to the United Nations.
Excellencies Distinguished delegates,
5- At the outset of this 61st session, a great son of Africa, Kofi Annan, delivered his last report as Secretary-General of our organization. In this complicated international landscape of the past 10 years, he and his team contributed significantly to the advancement of the noble ideals of the United Nations including his decisive contribution to the independence and liberation of my country, Timor-Leste.
Our people will never forget his decisive support and we wish much success to him and to Mrs. Nane Annan, whom we honor for her contribution to the strengthening the role of women in the world and for the compassion shown to those who suffer.
Madame President Distinguished delegates,
6- In July of this year, the Prime Minister of the First Constitutional Government, Mari Alkatiri, resigned from his post and a new Government under the leadership of Prime Minister Jose Ramos-Horta was sworn in.
7- Since our independence in May 2002 and until July of this year, significant gains were made in the establishment of institutions of the State and in the creation of basic conditions to facilitate investment, national and international.
The current Prime Minister, in his speech to the National Parliament the Prime Minister, José Ramos-Horta, reiterated his determination to implement the following policies
1. Reconciliation
2. Consolidation of security and reform of the defense and security institutions
3. Parliamentary and presidential elections
4. Poverty reduction and economic growth
5. Good governance
6. Finalization of the land border demarcation between the Republic of Indonesia and Timor-Leste
7. Ratification of the Agreement "Greater Sunrise" with Australia
8- The Government will continue to implement the National Development Plan which was initiated by the First Constitutional Government and to accomplish the Millennium the Development Goals as outlined at the Millennium summit in 2002.
In relation to the political plan, the Government in conjunction with the Presidency, the National Parliament, political parties, religious institutions and civil society will hold a national dialogue to recapture the confidence lost by our State institutions.
9- Only yesterday, the Head of Government, Dr. Ramos-Horta, met with representatives of the armed forces that had been dismissed, the petitioners, to once again find a solution which is in conformity with the laws of Timor-Leste and is acceptable to the various parties involved in this situation.
10- The Government of Timor-Leste is determined to proceed with the reform of the security and defense institutions, namely Falintil-FDTL and the National Police Force of Timor-Leste (PNTL).
11- The National Police Force of Timor-Leste, an institution, whose mandate is the promotion of law and order disintegrated during the recent crisis. A first group of 25 members of the PNTL resumed duty this week under the mentoring scheme run by the UN Police in Timor-Leste. The reconstitution of the PNTL as a professional non partisan police force is critical to stability.
12- As political leaders of a young nation we acknowledge that not all decisions made were all right and some created discontentment and were the source of the demonstrations in April, May, June and July of this year.
13- We are all interested in a profound and honest reflection on the causes of this crisis. H.E. the President of the Republic Xanana Gusmao, H.E. the Prime Minister Jose Ramos-Horta together with leaders of the Catholic Church and other religious denominations, will co-organize a conference based on our culture and traditional values, whereby various actors, including civil and traditional society will participate.
Madame president Distinguished delegates
14- As a post conflict country we have recently experienced a relapse of violence, due to institutional failures of our defence and police force, high level unemployment and wrong political decisions that we took as leaders of a new country. As results of the violence we had almost 150 thousand internally displaced persons and almost one hundred deaths. Consequently the president of the Republic, H.E. Xanana Gusmao, H.E. the President of the Parliament, Francisco Lu Olo and H.E. the Prime Minister of the First Constitutional Government H.E. Mari Alkatiri, had to request for international help.
15- Immediately our closest neigbours, the United Nations, members of ASEAN, the CPLP-Portuguese speaking countries community and members of the Pacific Islands Forum extended their support in a variety of ways.
16- We would like to take this opportunity to thank Indonesia, Malaysia, Portugal Australia, New Zealand, Japan, China, United States of
America, Korea, Kuwait, the Community of Portuguese-speaking Countries (CPLP), the European Union and Cuba and many other countries for their invaluable support during the recent crisis in Timor-Leste.
17- We also welcome the establishment of the International Commission of Inquiry by H.E. Secretary-General Kofi Annan, to study the events surrounding the crisis and the allegations of human rights abuses.
We commend the members of the Security Council for their support for the creation of UNMIT pursuant to Res. 1704/2006. We praise all United Nations and other international agencies currently based in Timor Leste; without their support our response to the humanitarian crisis would not have been as successful as it is today.
Madame president Distinguished delegates
18- The government is fully aware that reconciliation and justice need to be hand in hand with development. This fiscal year budget was increased by 122%; it focused on the job creation not only in towns but fundamentally in rural areas, where the majority of our population lives. It is a pro poor budget.
19- We hope that this new economic policy combined with policies of reconciliation and dialogue will help defuse the tension and will bring common understanding and will reinvigorate the trust and confidence in our common and shared future.
20- As in difficult times in the past we are determined to succeed and bring to the people of Timor-Leste, once again the stability and peace that we need to develop our country and improve the living conditions of our people. To help achieve this goal we also need the support of the United Nations in order to help organize and supervise the upcoming first legislative and presidential elections in our country. A free, transparent and fair election will definitely pave the way for a stable political and social environment.
Madame president, Distinguished delegates
21- In the international arena, we have seen an increase in violence, wars and intolerance.
22- Last week in this Assembly on 21st of September 2006 the President of Palestinian Authority H.E. Mahmoud Abbas, made an appeal to the international community to not let the olive branch fall from his hand. The international community needs to continue its strong support for the forces of peace and moderation in Palestine and the President of the Palestinian authority Mahmoud Abbas, and to engage the elected Palestinian government in order to find ways to guarantee a free and democratic Palestine living side by side with the state of Israel in peace and harmony.
23- After many years of conflict and violence the people of Lebanon need a peaceful environment; we hope that the arrival of the United Nations forces will help protect its sovereignty and its territorial integrity.
In Darfur-Sudan we require the sustained attention of international community in order to bring to the people of Sudan the peace and stability that they need.
On Western Sahara we believe that a dialogue between the government of Morocco and the leaders of the Polisario Front will help find a solution according to relevant United Nations resolutions.
24- As a small country we believe that multilateralism, dialogue, negotiations, democracy, human rights, the respect for the United Nations Charter and the respect for each other's cultural and religious values are the best answer for today's challenges and intolerance. We will continue to support all the initiatives such interfaith cooperation and dialogue amongst civilizations.
Madame president Distinguished delegates
25- After the Monterey-Mexico conference in March 2002 many initiatives were taken in order to increase the financial resources to developing countries. One of these is the Millennium Challenge Account.
This year Timor-Leste was selected as a threshold country and we are working with Millennium Challenge Corporation members in order to benefit from this grant funds.
26- We commend H.E. President George W. Bush, his administration, the people of the United States of America and our friends in the House and in the Senate for this great initiative; it will definitely help reduce poverty and to develop our and other countries in the developing world.
27- We commend the European Union and its Commission president, Dr. Durao Barroso, for its continuing support for developing countries and for Timor-Leste.
28- As a least developed country and member of the Group of 77 and China, we share the common view that the allocation of 0.7% of gross domestic product of developed countries to the official development assistance is crucial, not only for the development in the south, but also to maintain the stability, peace and progress in the world.
29- We also would like to welcome the recent initiative of Brasil and France to tax air travel in order to provide additional funds to financing development.
In conclusion Distinguished delegates
30- I would like to say a few words in Tetum, our national language.
31- Ami hakarak hasa'e lia ba ita boot tomak katak rai Timor no nia ema, laran haksolok tanba ita boot sira no moos nai ulun tomak nia tulun, ba ami iha susar nia laran.
31- (We would like to reiterate our thanks to all of you and to your people and government for your support during the crisis).
32- Hau hakarak husu ba na'i Maromak atu tulun nafatin ita boot sira, nai ulun hotu, no mos rai no ema tomak.
32- (I pray to God to continue to protect you, your government and your people).
Thank you.
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DEMOCRATIC REPULIC OF TIMOR-LESTE OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER MEDIA RELEASE September 25, 2006 Election agreement signed by Prime Minister and United Nations Development Program
The Prime Minister Dr José Ramos-Horta signed an agreement with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) today providing for technical and logistical support during the 2007 Presidential and Parliamentary elections in Timor-Leste.
The UNDP support protocol that was signed today is part of UN efforts to assist the presidential and parliamentary elections. It complements activities that will be supported by the UN Integrated Mission and national authorities.
The new UN mission will certify the electoral process on the basis of benchmarks and will provide technical assistance in policy advice and election administration. This UNDP project will focus on training national and international observers and party agents; procurement; civic and voter education activities.
A certification team will oversee each of the phases of the process of the elections and will certify that international standards are being adhered to. Mr. Finn Reske-Nielsen, acting Special Representative of the Secretary General for Timor-Leste and Resident Representative of the UN Development Program, signed the agreement.
“I would like to thank UNDP and the international community for contributing assistance over the next few months as we move towards the elections in 2007,” Dr Ramos-Horta said.
“The Government will do its utmost to cooperate with all interested parties, with all the stakeholders – first to ensure that everything is
done in a fair and transparent manner that is beyond reproach. The Government will be working hard to create the political and security conditions for all parties to be able to exercise their democratic rights.
“I look forward to the next months with confidence, that working together with UNDP and the international community, all Timorese can
participate in the elections with confidence.”
Mr. Finn Reske-Nielsen said UNDP looked forward to working closely with the Government and all interested parties so that the 2007 elections would be a great success.
“The new Mission intends to work hard to support Timor-Leste in all aspects of the elections,” he said. “This will include technical and logistical support, electoral policy advice and verification or other means.”
For further information please contact: Julian Swinstead Communications / Media Advisor to The Prime Minister Tel: +670 732 7776
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DEMOCRATIC REPULIC OF TIMOR-LESTE OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER
MEDIA RELEASE September 26, 2006
Dismissed soldiers have shown discipline, says PM after Gleno trip
Soldiers who were dismissed from the army as a result of problems arising from alleged discrimination, had demonstrated considerable discipline by not being involved in any political activity since that time, the Prime Minister Dr José Ramos-Horta said today.
“The situation in Gleno appears calm and tension seems to have been reduced,” Dr Ramos-Horta said after visiting the Ermera District, west of Dili.
Meeting in Gleno with Gastão Salsinha, the leader of the petitioners, the Prime Minister pledged to do his utmost to resolve the issues raised with him.
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“I am very pleased with the statement by the leader of the petitioners that he and his men do not and will not get involved in politics,” Dr Ramos-Horta said.
“It is commendable that since the outbreak in April of this year the petitioners have avoided being drawn into political demonstrations or other activities that are inconsistent with their issues.
“I appeal to them to continue to cooperate with the Notables Commission that is investigating these matters.”
Dr Ramos-Horta said the dismissed soldiers had asked for humanitarian items such as food and sporting equipment. They also told the Prime Minister that since the outbreak they had received no monetary assistance.
“The Ministry of Finance is looking into how financial assistance might be provided,” he said.
There are about 100 of the dismissed soldiers in Gleno and a total of 591 across Timor-Leste. The petitioners have alleged that they were discriminated against in the army.
The prime Minister also met the Secretary of State for Region 3 Mr Carlos de Deus, and inspected the offices which were badly damaged during the crisis.
The Prime Minister said he would be meeting with other petitioners in the future.
For further information please contact: JULIAN SWINSTEAD Communications / Media Advisor to The Prime Minister Tel: +670 732 7776
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FRENTE REVOLUCIONÁRIA DO TIMOR-LESTE INDEPENDENTE Media Release 21 September 2006 PM should choose words more carefully, says FRETILIN.
Timor-Leste’s governing party, FRETILIN, today issued a reminder that only the party with a majority in parliament has the right to choose the country’s Prime Minister.
“Under the constitution, the Prime Minister is not the choice of the President”, said FRETILIN spokesperson Sra. Cipriana Pereira, MP, a member of FRETILIN’s National Political Commission.
“We want to remind everybody that the Prime Minister is chosen democratically, by the party which wins the majority of seats in the Parliament at the election.”
Sra Pereira was responding to comments by Prime Minister Jose Ramos-Horta, who issued a media statement today telling people that they could write to the President if they want to be Prime Minister.
“The Prime Minister should choose his words more carefully,” Sra Pereira said. “As Prime Minister, Mr Ramos-Horta needs to help the people understand the constitution. To say things like this could confuse the people.”
Sra Pereira continued: “The job of Prime Minister is one of the most important jobs in the country. This is not a job that can be passed around with letters to and from the President. FRETILIN, the majority party in the Parliament, has agreed to give Mr Ramos-Horta the job of Prime Minister.
“It is disrespectful to the parliament and the voters to suggest ways of choosing the PM that are contrary to the constitution.”
“East Timor is an independent democratic country now”, said Sra Pereira. “This is not a country where leaders decide everything among themselves. That is the old politics – the politics of colonialism and dictatorship. We have fought for this democracy, so the people have the right to choose their leaders. The leaders do not choose themselves, they do not choose each other.
“We understand the Prime Minister’s frustration with his opponents. Many people have time to talk, but not to do the work. It is difficult work, to build a new country, to reconstruct a country. But the people are the leaders now, and everyone who holds an official position has to help the people learn the new system of democracy.”
Contact: In Dili: Cipriana Pereira + 670 7242114 . Sra Pereira is a Member of the National Parliament and of FRETILIN’s National Political Commission. (speaks Tetum/Portuguese)
In Australia: Alex Tilman, FRETILIN’s spokesperson in Melbourne (0419 281 175) Sahe da Silva, FRETILIN’s spokesperson in Sydney (0414 807 824)
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MEDIA RELEASE Office of the Prime Minister H.E. Dr José Ramos-Horta PM repeats his warning that he will resign if asked by President
Dili, September 20, 2006 The Prime Minister Dr José Ramos-Horta said today that he would gladly resign from the top job if the President of Timor-Leste asked him to.
“What I am saying is nothing new,” Dr Ramos-Horta said. “I have said this many times before. I would instantly, that second, hand over my resignation to the President if he asked me. “I say this both as a clarification and a warning. I am of course honored to be Prime Minister of our country. But being Prime Minister for nine months, or for six months, or for five years is not exactly the greatest ambition I ever had in my life. “So if anyone is interested in being Prime Minister of the poorest country in the world, a troubled country, they just have to ask.”
Dr Ramos-Horta was giving a Media Conference at Dili Airport on his return from the United States where he had met world leaders to discuss a range of issues concerning Timor-Leste.
The Prime Minister said that if someone wanted him to resign there was no need to waste fuel; no need to waste talking; no need to waste shoes with demonstrations jumping up and down.
“All you need is to get a piece of paper, just one piece. You do not even need a long explanation,” he said. “Give this letter to the President saying that José Ramos-Horta is not a good Prime Minister. If the President agrees, he will contact me and ask me to quit.” Dr Ramos-Horta said he had called for peace, for tolerance and for non-violence. He said he had asked the people of Timor-Leste to work together. “If you want changes, work for the elections in 2007,” he said. “If there are people who are too anxious, who cannot wait, go ahead have the Prime Ministership. “It must be one of the most exciting jobs in the world. So have it.”
Contact: Julian Swinstead. Mobile: +6707327776 Email: jswinstead@hotmail.com
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FRENTE REVOLUCIONÁRIA DO TIMOR-LESTE INDEPENDENTE Media Release Wednesday September 13, 2006 FRETILIN demands urgent security measures
East Timor’s governing party, FRETILIN, has called on Prime Minister José Ramos-Horta to take ‘immediate concrete action’ to guarantee security for the population.
The call for heightened security was issued by a meeting in Dili of FRETILIN’s 81-member Central Committee together with FRETILIN district coordinators, FRETILIN government ministers and parliamentarians.
Speaking after the meeting, FRETILIN Secretary General, Mari Alkatiri today said the party wants the Prime Minister to take urgent action including:
* To make it a priority to resolve the problem of IDP’s (internally displaced persons)
* To disarm illegal groups
* To reafirm the authority of the state
* To guarantee all necessary conditions for the 2007 elections.
Mr Alkatiri said much of the violence appeared to be organised and targeted at FRETILIN supporters.
‘Our people are being terrorised and driven from their homes in the capital,’ he said.
‘The aim appears to be to destabilise the government and prevent government ministries from effectively aiding the population, including the 100,000 people who remain in refugee camps.
‘We are very concerned about the large number of high-powered weapons still in the hands of illegal groups and anti- FRETILIN gangs.
‘A large part of the police armoury was stolen and these weapons need to be recovered urgently.
‘We fear these weapons will be used in an organised effort to prevent candidates from carrying out electoral work, thereby posing a
threat to the conduct of free and fair elections due to be held by April.’
Contact: Filomeno Aleixo (+670 7243460). Filomeno Aleixo is a member of Fretilin’s National Political Commission.
Harold Moucho in Dili (+670 7230048). Harold Moucho is chief of staff to Fretilin president and parliamentary speaker Lu’ Olo.
Alex Tilman, Fretilin spokesperson in Melbourne (0419 281 175)
Sahe da Silva, Fretilin spokesperson in Sydney (0414 807 824)
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REPÚBLICA DEMOCRÁTICA DE TIMOR-LESTE GABINETE DO PRIMEIRO-MINISTRO PRESS RELEASE 3rd Trilateral Meeting between Timor-Leste, Indonesia and Australia
The 3rd Trilateral Meeting between Timor-Leste, Indonesia and Australia will be held this Monday, September 4th, in Dili. In the meeting some of the regional most relevant issues will be discussed.
In the meeting, the Prime Minister, José Ramos-Horta, will do the Timor-Leste’s outlook, discussing the issues of the internal security, UNMIT and elections.
The 3rd Trilateral Meeting is schedule to start at 9am, at the Council of Ministers’ Meeting Room, at Palácio do Governo. The Timor-Leste’s delegation is composed by the Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, José Ramos Horta; Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Agriculture, Forests and Fishery, Estanislau da Silva; Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, José Luís Guterres; Minister for the Interior, Alcino Baris; Minister for Education and Culture, Rosária Corte-Real; Minister for Labour and Community Reinsertion, Arsénio Bano; Minister for Natural Resources, Minerals and Energy Policy, José Teixeira; Chief of Timorese Defence Forces (Falintil-FDTL), Brigadier-General Taur Matan Ruak; and Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Adalgisa Magno.
The Indonesian delegation is composed by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hassan Wirajuda, and the Ambassador in Dili, Ahmed Bey Sofwan.
The Australian delegation is composed by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Alexander Downer, and the Ambassador in Dili, Margaret Twomey.
In the discussion, the Indonesian Minister for Foreign Affairs will talk about economic cooperation and development (Australia-Indonesia Development Area, transportation, avian flu, natural disasters/Tsunami Early Warning System, interfaith dialogue, trade and commerce/tourism).
Alexander Downer will address the security cooperation. His talking points are: regional terrorism threats, illegal fishing and piracy, security in the Timor Sea (Oil and Gas), people smuggling/illegal immigration, borders, and money laundering.
By the end of the 3rd Trilateral Meeting, the Prime Minister José Ramos-Horta, and the Ministers for Foreign Affairs from Australia and Indonesia will held a joint press conference, at 11.05am, in Palácio do Governo.
Dili, 2 September 2006
For further information, please contact the media advisor: Rui Flores (tel. +670 723 01 40 or rui.flores@gmail.com)
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01 SEPTEMBER 2006 REPÚBLICA DEMOCRÁTICA DE TIMOR-LESTE GABINETE DO PRIMEIRO-MINISTRO PRESS RELEASE Prime Minister Addressed First Day of Meeting with District and Sub-District Administrators
The President and Prime Minister attended the first day of the meeting held yesterday, August 31, with the District and Sub-District Administrators in Maubara, Liquica district.
The meeting was convened by the Ministry of State Administration to discuss the administrator role in the nation’s peace, unity and development, as well as to support and mobilize the administrators and discuss the 2006/07 budget.
The meeting was opened by Minister for State Administration Ana Pessoa, who introduced the Prime Minister and the President. The Prime Minister’s speech emphasized the need for cooperation within the government and showed a strong interest in supporting the district and sub-district administrators. The district and sub-district administrators then put forward questions and concerns to the panel.
The Prime Minister addressed the issue of law and order, and stressed the importance of dialog and justice, on which points the President agreed. The Prime Minister and President also both called for political neutrality among the civil servants, urging all officials to serve their country above all other considerations.
The Prime Minister encouraged local leaders to take a pro-active approach to local security, and to mobilize their communities to ensure the safety and security of all citizens. He cautioned that if local leaders do not show strong leadership, then the national government and security forces will be unable to completely solve the problem of national security.
Today the meeting of the district and sub-district administrators will continue with discussions on the general and presidential elections of the next year.
Dili, 1 September 2006
