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Warm welcome for Ramos-Horta in Same and Alas, 13 June
2006
The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Dr José
Ramos-Horta, accompanied by the Secretary General of the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs, Nelson Santos, today visited the cities of
Same and Alas where he was warmly received by the local authorities
and populations.
Foreign Ministry Officials, Licínio Branco and Roberto
Nunes, travelled to those localities the previous day, to help
organise the visit.
In Same, a coffee-rich region with enormous agricultural potential,
he met with the District Administrator Filomeno Tilman and local
members of key political parties.
"Given the current political tensions at national level,
it is understandable there was some tension at local level between
the party members of Fretilin, PD and PSD, which led to mutual
accusations of unbecoming behaviour," Minister Ramos-Horta
said.
One particular issue, was the allegation against some Fretilin
members that they had received weapons during the Fretilin Congress
held in Dili and took them back to Manufahe (Same).
Dr Ramos-Horta who is also the founder of the non-government,
non-partisan, Peace and Democracy Foundation (PDF), assigned the
district PDF coordinator, Quintano Massa, a well respected community
member in the region, to facilitate discussion between State authorities,
Traditional Chiefs and the local political parties.
Following the meetings with officials and party members, Minister
Ramos-Horta addressed more than one thousand people who, like
everywhere where he has visited in recent times, enthusiastically
welcomed him.
In his address the Minister appealed to national unity, rejection
of actions by some designed to divide the Timorese society and
congratulated the local authorities, including PNTL (National
Police of Timor-Leste) for maintaining the services functioning
and in general tranquility in the area.
"Only a permanent dialogue, specially in this critical phase,
will be able to clarify doubts, dissipate rumours and clear tensions
in the midst of the Same society," Dr Ramos-Horta stressed
to the crowd.
After the visit to Same, the Minister traveled to the sub-district
of Alas, one of the most isolated and beautiful regions of Timor-Leste.
The welcome in Alas was enthusiastic and given with much genuine
human affection.
"It might be the very first time in my life that I have
visited this locality, but it won't be the last and promised to
return soon," the Minister told the people.
Minister Ramos-Horta said that in both Same and Alas the concerns
raised were identical.
"People are concerned about the situation in Dili, they
want the truth to be told, and they want people to assume responsibility
for what is happening," Dr Ramos-Horta said.
In his addresses he explained the process for the all inclusive
dialogue; the establishment of an independent Special Inquiry
Commission by the UN to investigate and report on allegations
of criminal and human rights violations during the period of April,
May, with reference to particular incidents of 28-29 April, 23-24-25
May; the presence of the international military forces in Timor-Leste
and the next new mission of the UN following on from UNOTIL.
Dr Ramos-Horta said that as in all places he has visited as Minister
for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence, the population has
warmly welcomed the international military and police forces and
it was the same in Same and Alas.
On his arrival at Dili, mid afternoon, the Minister for Foreign
Affairs, visited the new headquarters of the newspaper Suara Timor
Lorosae to observe the security conditions required by the management
of the newspaper.
This morning Minister Ramos-Horta met with a group of commanders
from the joint task force, also attended by Interior Minister
Alcino Barris to assess the situation in certain areas of Dili
and to discuss some operational initiatives.
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