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Minister Ramos-Horta visits border districts, 15 May 2006
Timor-Leste's Senior Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs
and Cooperation, Nobel Peace Laureate Dr José Ramos-Horta,
initiated today a three-day tour of the country's border districts.
He is accompanied by the Vice-Minister for the Interior, Alcino
Barris, the Ministry's Secretary-General, Nelson Santos, and other
Ministry's officials, and by Indonesia's Ambassador Ben Sofwan,
who readily accepted the invitation to travel with the Minister.
The visit to those areas, because of the rough roads, requires
the Senior Minister and his entourage to walk part of the itinerary.
The purpose of Dr Ramos-Horta's visit is to acquaint himself
with the political, social and economic and security situations
along the border and to engage local and regional leaders and
traditional chiefs in dialogue and assure them and the population
of the Government's concern for their well being and its firm
commitment to the development of those districts.
The border area has been largely peaceful since 2002 with only
some minor incidents that time to time occur involving illegal
crossings or illicit trade that are not considered a security
problem.
Timor-Leste appreciates the best efforts the Indonesian military
and police have made to ensure the wellbeing of the people living
in the border areas.
Foreign Affairs Minister Ramos-Horta hopes by August this year
to celebrate the agreement on border demarcation and implementation
of the border passes enabling thousands of people on both sides
of the border to engage in small trade or visitations without
bureaucratic hindrance.
During those three days he will also meet some of the ex-FDTL
members, the so-called 'petitioners', who have returned to their
homes.
Today's schedule includes visits to Suai, Fatumean, Foholulic
and Tilomar.
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