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Prime Minister Ramos-Horta hits the deck running, 17 July
2006
Following the swearing-in ceremony of his Cabinet on Friday and
a marathon meeting of the first Council of Ministers in which
the Budget for the 2006/2007 financial year was approved, Prime
Minister Dr. José Ramos-Horta, true to his word that there
wouldn't be excuses for inertia, has hit the deck running.
On Saturday, after meetings with political and community leaders,
Dr Ramos-Horta, went on a three-hour walk through the suburbs
of Balide and Taibessi, during which many Timorese, from the most
humble to shopkeepers and children, had the opportunity to raise
their concerns and tell of their hopes for the future.
These concerns and hopes and requests were shared by the Minister
for Education and Culture, Rosália Corte-Real, and the
Vice-Ministers for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Planning and
Finances, and Public Works, respectively Adalgisa Magno, Aicha
Bassarewa and Raul Mousaco, who accompanied the Prime Minister
in this unscheduled 'meet the people' walk.
The walk through the streets both surprised and was enthusiastically
greeted by the suburbs' populations.
"I have been touring suburbs for years, either on foot or
by bicycle. It is not only a good healthy exercise but it is the
opportunity to meet the people," Dr Ramos-Horta said.
"I'm pleased that a few of my colleagues were able to join
me and I hope this becomes a routine to all of my cabinet colleagues
as it is vital not to lose touch with those we are supposed to
serve. Only this way, listening to them, can we develop appropriate
programs that will better their lives."
On Saturday evening, Prime Minister and Minister for Defence,
Dr Ramos-Horta, visited F-FDTL's Naval Component at Hera, where
he addressed the members of the armed forces stationed there and
answered many of their questions.
He also addressed hundreds of the local population and IDPs (displaced
persons), listened to them and answered their questions.
To both groups - the military and the civilian population - Dr
Ramos-Horta told of aspects of the program of his Government that,
he assured all, will do its very best to serve the best interests
of the Timorese people particularly the poor.
"My Government," he said "is going to be a government
for the poor. My Government will be at the forefront in the fight
against poverty. We are going to use existing money to dignify
the human being, give them hope, given them food, clothing and
give them a roof."
This message was repeated in Manatuto when the Prime Minister
visited yesterday, Sunday, July 16.
In his address to an enthusiastic crowd of many hundreds, including
local and traditional leaders, police, clergy and local representatives
of political parties, Prime Minister Ramos-Horta recalled his
links to Manatuto and the district (he attended primary school
at Soibada) and again outlined his vision to a prosper life to
all Timorese.
Today, Monday, July 17, after his daily briefing by the Joint
Task Force on the security situation in the last 24 hours, Prime
Minister Ramos-Horta held a meeting with prospective Australian
investors in the areas of agriculture, fisheries and catlle breeding
and meat export.
"The private and entrepreneurial sector is an indispensable
pillar in the development and well being of our country and I've
been very encouraged by the response of international investors
to my appointment as Prime Minister and their renewed confidence
in Timor-Leste," Dr Ramos-Horta said.
"I'm happy to discuss with them projects, ideas that will
contribute to the development of our country and create jobs to
the Timorese. We are going to find ways to offer incentives and
enthuse them and facilitate their activities. The foreign investors
in this country can count on this Government to listen to them
and to support them," he said.
After his daily meeting with his two Vice Prime Ministers, Eng
Estanislau da Silva and Dr Rui Araujo, the Prime Minister attend
the swearing in ceremony by President Xanana Gusmão of
the Attorney General and Deputy Attorney General, respectively
Dr Longuinhos Monteiro and Dr Ivo Valente.
Prime Minister Dr Ramos-Horta then held his regular Monday meeting
with H.E. President Xanana Gusmão, during which a number
of issues were discussed including the budget approved on Friday
by the Council of Ministers, the Prime Minister's plan to visit
every Ministry, salries of public servants, and candidates to
fill in vacancies in the government as well as for the position
of Inspector-General of the Republic, to replace the late Mariano
Lopes da Cruz.
The economic and financial situation of Timor-Leste was the focus
of a series of meetings in the afternoon.
Dr Ramos-Horta held separate meetings with the representative
of the Asian Development Bank, Mr Charles Andrews; with Dr Abraão
de Vasconcelos, general manager of Timor-Leste's Bank Payment
Authority; and later, together with his two Vice Prime Ministers,
Eng Estanislau da Silva and Dr Rui de Araujo, and the Minister
and Vice Minister for Planning and Finances, Madalena Boavida
and Aicha Bassarewa, held an exhaustive meeting with members of
a high-level delegation of the World Bank.
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