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Dr José Ramos-Horta visits F-FDTL forces, 5 June
The Minister for Defence, Dr José Ramos-Horta, has devoted
his first day in the portfolio to visit F-FDTL forces in Baucau,
Metinaro and Hera.
Accompanied by Brigadier-General Taur Matan Ruak, Commander of
F-FDTL (Armed Forces of Timor-Leste), and the permanent secreatry
of the Ministry of Defence, Lt Colonel Filomeno Paixao, Dr Ramos-Horta
was enthusiastically received by all the troops.
In each of the barracks the Minister for Defence had positive
high-level discussions with the respective commands, and addressed
the troops.
Dr Ramos-Horta praised the troops for cooperating with the international
forces and encouraged the continuation of that cooperation in
the actions taken to help secure stability and peace.
In each of the localities the Minister and Nobel Peace Laureate
also met with the local population of all ages, who in their hundreds
had gathered near the army bases hoping to meet and hear from
Dr Ramos-Horta.
Dr Ramos-Horta told the troops and the populations of the three
localities that his priority is to heal the wounds within the
military community, heal the wounds between the military and police
communities and between these two and the society in general.
He said that his role as Defence Minister is not to focus on
traditional security matters but, in the first instance, to understand
and try to resolve the human problems that confront the armed
forces.
While in Baucau the Minister for Defence welcomed GNR, Portugal's
elite police force, and thanked them for their presence here which
demonstrates the solidarity of the government and people of Portugal
to the people of Timor-Leste.
As a show of appreciation, along the road from Baucau to Dili
the GNR contingent was enthusiastically greeted by many hundreds
of Timorese.
Last night Minister Ramos-Horta made an unscheduled tour of Dili's
most affected areas by civil disorder to get a first hand picture
of the situation.
Today at 7.30am he held talks with the Malaysian Police Advance
Team, followed by a meeting with representatives of the four countries
(Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand and Portugal) who have military
and police forces operating in Timor-Leste.
The Minister for Defence will then proceed to Gleno where he
will meet with Majors Tara and Marcos and Lt Ten Salsinha and
other elements of the so-called 'petitioners' group, with the
objective of exploring the avenues for an all-inclusive talks
which will lead to a lasting resolution of the political issues.
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