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Soldiers and police embrace friendship as peace is given a
chance, 16 November 2006
With tears in their eyes, soldiers and police embraced each other
as they gathered for an historic ceremony at the Palacio do Governo
yesterday in Dili.
As hundreds of spectators packed the Palacio grounds and the
national anthem was played, the President of the Republic Xanana
Gusmão called on the youth of the country to collaborate
with the army and police in the process of peace.
Army and police paraded before President Xanana, the President
of Parliament Francisco Guterres "Lu-Olo" and Prime
Minister Dr José Ramos-Horta and members of his Government.
Spectators including most members of the diplomatic corps and
public servants, watched as members of the F-FDTL and PNTL lined
up alongside each other in a display of solidarity and trust.
Traffic along the main ocean-front boulevard was brought to a
stop. Bunches of flowers were handed out to the country's army
and police forces and as they raised them above their heads the
crowd cheered.
"This is a time to work together and to accept each other,"
President Xanana said.
"Youth must promise their mothers and fathers that they
will no longer be involved in violence."
Dr Ramos-Horta said today that it was time for Timor-Leste's
youth to embrace peace "just as our army and police have
done".
"We cannot allow ourselves to be drawn into violence,"
he said. "There is no future for our country in that. We
must use our energy for peace."
The President of the Court of Appeal, Claudio Ximenes told the
rally Timor-Leste's courts would be independent and impartial.
"The tribunal will make decisions independently and impartially,"
he said.
Yesterday's historic rally followed a series of extraordinary
meetings held recently between the President, the Prime Minister
and leaders of Timor-Leste's army and police.
The head of the armed forces, Brigadier Taur Mata Ruak shook
hands and embraced many of the police at the rally as the Commander
of the Police Paulo Fatima Martins walked among soldiers shaking
hands and greeting friends.
The demonstration of comradeship and trust between the F-FDTL
and PNTL has given encouragement to many people in the Internally
Displaced People's camps to return to their homes.
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