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Soldiers and police rally to show solidarity, peace and trust,
15 November 2006
In an extraordinary display of solidarity, trust and friendship,
hundreds of Timor-Leste's soldiers and police will this afternoon
march together to the Palacio do Governo where they will be received
by the President of the Republic, the President of Parliament
and the Prime Minister.
President Xanana Gusmão, the President of Parliament Francisco
Guterres "Lu-Olo", and the Prime Minister Dr José
Ramos-Horta will greet the marchers around 5 p.m. and each of
the nation's leaders will make a short speech.
"I invite all the people - Timorese and the international
community - to come and join our soldiers and police at the Palacio,"
President Gusmão said today.
"The wounds of recent events are healing and our forces
are showing us the way towards a lasting peace.
"I am moved by the unity and friendship shown by our soldiers
and police, and particularly by their leaders.
"They have faced a most severe ordeal and emerged even stronger.
Their unselfish actions send a very clear message to all of Timor-Leste,
and that message is one of peace, unity and harmony."
Tomorrow's rally at the Palacio follows meetings held recently
between the President, the Prime Minister and leaders of Timor-Leste's
army and police.
"I have had many meetings with the leaders of the soldiers,
F-FDTL senior officers, both formally and informally sharing conversations
and meals with them," Dr Ramos-Horta said.
"And in the last couple of weeks Brigadier Taur Mata Ruak,
the army's commander, has met President Xanana for frank and fraternal
discussions on how, and where, this country should progress.
"These meetings were followed by larger gatherings involving
the President, myself and all senior and middle-ranking army and
police officers. The informal gathering at President Xanana's
private residence in Balibar last Thursday was a particularly
moving one."
President Xanana said he hoped as many people as possible would
come to the rally.
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