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Intervention by the Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri at the reception
for the Visit of the President of the World Bank to Timor-Leste,
Hotel Timor, Dili, April 9, 2006
Your excellencies:
It is an honour for the people of Timor-Leste to welcome the
president of the World Bank. It is an even greater honour when
Mr. Paul Wolfowitz visits the newest nation in the world less
than a week after the development partners complimented the policy
that was set up by this Government to combat poverty as a national
cause.
Timor-Leste has been pointed out by the international community
as a case where the interventions by the United Nations have been
successful. Almost four years after the Restoration of Independence
of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, those who study us
begin to realise that we, the Timorese, are the main cause of
this success.
Let no one think that we do not acknowledge the decisive role
the UN played in obtaining the Restoration of Independence and
in the peace building process. We acknowledge it and will treasure
it forever in our hearts. But, even before May 20, 2002, Timor-Leste
has been deciding its future by itself and betting on the best
course - while relying on the invaluable assistance that an important
pool of international advisors provides, who nevertheless sometimes
suggest things with which we disagree.
Thus we have been the masters of our fate, and that is why, taking
into account the always strict benchmarks of the World Bank and
of the International Monetary Fund, it is a great joy to learn
that these two important institutions recognize that we have been
making the right decisions and contributing to make our young
economy grow. What is more, all this is taking place in an environment
of peace and stability. Most of all, and this is always a concern
for the World Bank, we are growing without a foreign debt and
with an ever-decreasing direct support to our State Budget (in
the 2006/07 fiscal year, it will barely represent four percent).
Let it be clear that these complimentary words from these institutions
and other development partners do not make us blind or stop our
actions on their tracks. Instead they motivate us even more to
keep on fighting, always striving for the same goal: to contribute
to improve the living conditions of the Timorese, in a balanced
and equitable way that promotes the reduction of the regional
asymmetries.
Therefore, we are an example to be followed. And we wish to remain
an example. Through the Petroleum Fund we have put the money resulting
from the exploration of resources at our Timor Sea at the service
of future generations. We are building the infrastructures that
the populations need. We will create jobs and improve the living
conditions in the districts, not just in the capital of the country.
In short, we know well where we want to go and the way to get
there.
At a time when international terrorism is ever-present in the
news and social instability is on a high note, the transition
of Timor-Leste from a post-conflict situation towards a democracy
is an example that can and should make the entire international
community happy.
Almost four years after the Restoration of Independence and after
a period where we had an economical setback due to the departure
from Timor-Leste of thousands of internationals who had artificially
boosted our economy, we are now growing and leading part of the
oil revenues to where they should be applied - investment, construction
of the essential infra-structures of the country, education, health
and roads.
In a troubled time where men and women seem to wander aimlessly
and where there is little hope for a better tomorrow, the example
of the recovery of Timor-Leste as a State can be a reason for
study and publicity - and not just by those scholars who like
to find the exceptions to the rule. Far from being an Asian tiger
or a speculative micro-market, we are on the right track, with
a careful, rigorous and transparent management, to be an example
also in the pursuing of the common objective of the United Nations,
the World Bank, the Millennium Challenge Corporation, but most
of all the Government of Timor-Leste, which is to contribute to
the eradication of poverty.
Therefore it is important that together we may rethink the role
of the World Bank in Timor-Leste. Now more than ever, as we propose
to carry out a bold public investment program totalling over USD
82 million during the next fiscal years. We rely on the institution
you lead so prestigiously in order to assist us, so that we can
ensure a full and effective execution of the more than 400 projects
we intend to conclude.
As for you, dear Paul Wolfowitz, I hope you take with you back
to Washington that which better defines the Timorese: the image
of a fighting people. If in the past we fought for liberation
and national independence, today we fight against poverty and
for development. With the support of the international community,
namely the World Bank, I have no doubt that we shall once more
prevail.
Thank you very much.
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