Welcome Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri Timor-Leste Government Media releases National Development Plan
Biography
Portfolio

 

 


Speeches

Speech by Dr José Ramos-Horta, Candidate for President, DRTL
Dili, March 23, 2007

My friends,

Over the past ten months, my resolve to serve my people has been strengthened.

It was strengthened by the crisis
…by the overwhelming challenge to deliver the fruits of independence to our people.

It was strengthened by the early challenges of nation building
…the economic and social depression caused when the international community left our shores.

And it was strengthened during the 24 years of occupation
…the bloodshed and the pain
…and the loss of life.

I have drawn from the good example
…of Our Savior and of our people
…and found in adversity
…my calling.

My Friends ,

On 20 May in the year 2002 of Our Savior Jesus Christ, our nation acceded to independence
…and Timor-Leste was born.

It was to be a nation forged not by trauma, pain and colonial chains
…but through a democratic referenda.

We assumed our historical destiny
…an ethno-linguistic mosaic wedged between Southeast Asia and Oceania
…and a people of peace and justice.

With the affirmation of the people and the steadfast support of the international community
…four centuries of foreign rule dissolved
…and a new voice was heard.

We formed, from the grass roots,
…a Government, a bureaucracy, a treasury, an economy
…and a thing of great beauty began to take flight
…and assert itself in our region.

Over the coming two years, we earned by inches the quiet confidence of the international community
…and our near neighbors.

We restored relations with Indonesia.

We renegotiated economic ties with Australia.

We maintained our historical connection to Portugal.

It was not to be an easy journey
…mistakes would be made,
…lessons would be learned.

There would be heart breaks
…and there would be set backs.

There would be blood and toil
…and tears and sweat.

My friends,

Let April 9, 2007, be recorded
…as a new day in the history of our nation and our people.

Let it be recorded as the day we began a new dialogue about our future
…to culminate in the election of a new President.

At the cusp of this two week election campaign, I join with my colleagues
…drawn from across our nation
…seven men, one woman, ages ranging from 41 to 70
…all of whom have served our nation in various roles and positions
…to begin this debate.

I am honored to call each of my colleagues "my friend".

Upon returning to Timor-Leste in 1999,
…first as a CNRT leader,
…later as Minister for Foreign Affairs,
…and in recent months as Prime Minister and Minister for Defence,
…it has been my honor to travel far and wide
…to each of the 13 districts in our nation.

I enjoy being in the rural areas.

I particularly enjoy travelling to these villages in the interior in a private capacity, in my spare time.

I enjoy my conversations and discussions there
…drawing on the patient reflections of our wise people.

I now believe that I can say, without hesitation, that most of our people know me.

They know what I have done for this country
…my role during the 24 years of our struggle for freedom.

They know what I have done as Foreign Minister
…and what I have done as Defence Minister and Prime Minister,
…in the last 10 months.

Most importantly they also know that I am with them.

They know that I was with them in May, June, July 2006
…during the worst months of the recent crisis.

Two weeks is too short for me travel to all districts
…to meet them again
…and to share my vision and my plans, if elected President, for our beloved Nation.

My campaign has lasted six years…and, in some ways, my whole life.

That is why I can say with confidence
… that I know well, my 'well loved' land,
…from end to end, ash to ash, dust to dust. And my 'well loved' land knows me.

I have seen her at her greatest
…when she rose from bloodshed
…and to lay aside past grievances
…to forge the world's newest nation.

And I have seen her when she almost slipped back to a darker age
…a cycle we hoped had passed.

During May, June, July and August 2006, the worst months of crisis, I was with the people.

On the evening of the April 28, 2006, I was with the first Internally Displaced Persons (IDP's) at the airport area.

Day and night, I travelled the streets of Dili
…and the outer regions.

I visited the suburbs.

During the most difficult days, the days of fire and ash
…in which our sons and daughters in F-FDTL (Timor-Leste Defence Force) and PNTL (Timor-Leste Police Force) were injured
…I was with them in hospital.

I also visited
...Alieu, Same, Alas, Maubisse, Gleno, Emera, Lete'Foho, Atsabe, Maliana, Liquica, Suai, Oecussi, Manatuto, Lakluba, Soibada, Baucau, Laga, Lospalos, and Lore.

I visited isolated villages.

I visited police posts on the border.

I spoke with men, women and children.

I spoke with youth, street vendors, and fishermen.

I spoke with gang members.

I spoke with police officers and soldiers.

I spoke with the much respected Bishops, Priests and Nuns.

I spoke with non-government organisations, political parties, and business community.

In the midst of this trauma, I was drafted for the position of Prime Minister.

I accepted this most thankless and difficult task
…as the dust from the weeks of crisis gathered in the air
…like a cloud that would not burst.

Our country was in crisis.

Our hard fought-for institutions were beginning to disintegrate.

Our people were suffering.

I responded to their call…
…and accepted the position of Prime Minister
…for ten months.

In 2000 and 2001, I had already travelled the country
…helping to explain to the people about the new opportunity of nationhood
…and about the UNTAET mandate
…and I helped to mobilise the democratic voice of the people.

I helped to establish dialogue in several areas in our nation where some groups were in discord.

And I never sought to be a candidate for a position of power.

I accepted the invitation made to me by the winning party of the 2001 elections for the portfolio of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation.
That was my job.

As part of the first Constitutional Government, I helped to build a modest but active Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation.

I continued my work of twenty-four years,
…projecting and promoting Timor-Leste to the world.

Following the restoration of independence, I led the process of establishing diplomatic relations with more than 100 countries.

We consolidated relations with our Asia and Pacific neighbours..
…Timor-Leste's relations with Indonesia, the other ASEAN countries, Australia, New Zealand, China, Japan, The Republic of Korea, India.

The foundations for long standing relations with these nations has now been laid.

FOREIGN RELATIONS IN THE FUTURE

A small and vulnerable country needs a dynamic, creative and pragmatic foreign policy, inspired by our national interests.

National interests are not an abstract academic matter.
They are real issues that are related to our internal and external security, peace and stability, and economic well-being of our nation.

We are not alone in this world; we are part of an increasingly globalised world, interconnected by investments, tourism, trade, knowledge, information, science, technology, and diseases.

We have two neighbors, Australia and Indonesia, who have been good friends to us.

Both are democratic countries, and we share with them land and sea boundaries, airspace, and a long history that is both rich in what is positive and negative, painful and liberating.

The two countries are very different.

Indonesia, an Asian country, with 240 million people, with the largest Islamic faith in the world, still poor, though generously endowed by God with vast natural resources, a creative people, many are highly educated.

Australia is one of the richest industrialized countries in the world, with only 20 million people, a rock solid democracy and a bastion of Christianity, an open and tolerant country, founded by convicts, many innocently convicted by the Crown.

Australians, by their very origin, as sons and daughters whose ancestors were unjustly deported into exile in that vast and hostile environment, are very attached to the ideals of justice and freedom.

Australians are instinctively sympathetic to the weak and persecuted.

We East Timorese are lucky to have such great neighbors and the recent years of our independence have shown how our two neighbors have been supportive of our new state.

As President I shall continue the policies of the recent past of enhancing further our existing relations with our two neighbors at official level as well as at people to people level.

Timor-Leste is now preparing to join the Association of South East Asian Nations over the coming five years
…and to share in the fruits of a trading block representing close to a trillion dollars
…and 500 million people.

The opportunities are numberless, and the time is soon.

If elected I shall make it a priority our accession to ASEAN. Timor-Leste is part of Southeast Asia.
…It is here that we belong.
…hence we must worker harder and faster to join this region of the world, integrating ourselves into this dynamic economic community of more than 500 million people.

In the matter of foreign policy I have been always inspired by the best interests of our country,
…consolidating existing friendly relations
…harnessing good will
…forging new allies and potential trading partners.

The record speaks for itself.

For example, Timor-Leste now has excellent relations with both the United States of America and Cuba,
…two countries who have had difficult relations for over half a century,
…with vastly different regimes, dimensions and resources.

I strongly believe in our relationship with China, Japan, Republic of Korea, India.
…I will continue to enhance such relationship that can only serve our best national interests.

I am proud that I have contributed to our special relationship with the countries of the European Union.

Over the years I visited every single Western European country and developed close personal ties with leaders and peoples from Portugal to Spain, France, Germany, Italy, the UK, Ireland, Sweden, Norway, Finland.

The European Union is the single most important regional economic and diplomatic power bloc in the world.

Because of our shared history of centuries,
…shared beliefs in human rights,
…democracy
…and justice,
the Europeans have a deep understating and sympathy towards peoples in all continents.

The US remains the sole economic and military super-power
…, a continent on its own, that will continue to lead for many decades … in the fields of innovation, creativity, science and technology.

The US produces more Nobel Laureates in Sciences than any country in the world. That's why I say they will continue to lead for many decades more.

We have many friends in the US and if elected President I will make it a priority to continue this special relationship based on shared values and beliefs.

In regards to our relationship with Cuba, let me be very frank, open about it.

The special program of Cuban doctors working and teaching in our country and our students studying medicine and other related subjects in Cuba is of enormous value to us, to our people.

If this program continues, and even if only 50% of our students are graduated with good marks, Timor-Leste will have several hundred medical doctors in 10 years from now, resolving one of the most basic needs of our people: access to doctors.

So as President I shall continue to support this program.

THE UNITED NATIONS

I will say a few words about the United Nations.

This multilateral organization of which we are the 191st member is vital and indispensable for the entire world,
…for large and rich,
…for poor and small nations.

We are in a globalised world where people and diseases travel almost freely.

No country is immune from certain diseases that travel from one country to another, from one air traveller to another.

This is only a small illustration of how our planet has become smaller and how we have become interconnected through science and technology, international trade and tourism.

To address issues of poverty and diseases we need the joint efforts of the international community.

To advance into the 21st century of the digital knowledge we need the know-how and technology of others.

To improve the lives of our poor rural people, we need them to improve their productivity and quality of products and then find markets abroad for these goods.

The United Nations is vital to all of us and specially to small countries like Timor-Leste.

The U.N. can give us a larger space where our voice can be heard.
… the U. N. can be a sympathetic and neutral force that give us more power where we can negotiate with larger powers.

The United Nations have been in the forefront in assisting us through our many conflicts and crises of the past,
…helping us winning our freedom,
…helping us building up our new nation.

Let's show gratitude to the U. N..
…and one way to show our gratitude is to support the U. N. personnel in Timor-Leste to do the job they were mandated to do here.

They are not the new colonisers as some radical elements in our society might say.

A coloniser usually stays in a colony for several centuries.
The U. N. usually stays in a country for a few years, too few.

So let's be intelligent and pragmatic, let's try to get hem to stay here for many years,
…so that they help us build our institutions,
…provide us with security,
…let them spend money in our hotels and restaurants, rent our houses, employ our people, etc.

The U. N., like any big organisation, with many thousands of people serving in it,
…it has good people with dedication and competence,
…it has also many who are lazy and incompetent.

Look at our Public Administration.
…Some of our own civil servants are dedicated and competent;
…some are lazy, incompetent and dishonest.

That's how we all are, as human beings, with qualities and sins.

I am about to complete my mandate as Prime Minister the Second Constitutional Government, the Government of the Poor.

As a Presidential candidate, during the whole period of the campaign, I will take temporary leave from the Office of Prime Minister.

I will not use government property for my campaign.

As a candidate, I will seek higher office as a common citizen.

I invite the other candidates, the political parties, the State Inspector General, the Provedor of Human Rights, to monitor my activities.

If you notice any mistake or abuse on my part do not hesitate in denouncing me
…or in making any transgression public.

In Government, I have enjoyed close friendships across the political spectrum.

The Government over which I preside since July 2006 is a Government of Fretilin,
…the majority party of the parliamentary elections.

I always tried to respect the majority party.
…Being a non-elected Prime Minister
…borne out of a crisis
….with a mandate of less than a one year
…I would have many limitations placed upon me.

I believe I have cooperated loyally with my government colleagues.

And I share with my colleagues the small victories registered during my short term in office.

With humility, I must assume responsibility for the failures.

For these failures, I apologise to you and all of our long suffering and dignified people.

But our passage has not been without achievement.

When I was sworn-in as Prime Minister, I said that the Government I was going to lead would try to serve the best interests of the poor.

It was going to be the government for the poor,
… at the forefront in the fight against poverty.

Given the time constraint I could not deliver change to effectively affect the lives of the Timorese. I will pursue that in the Presidency.


NEW FISCAL POLICY

Upon coming to office, I promised to use existing money to dignify the human being,
…to give them hope, to give them food and clothing
…and to give them a roof.

That's my first priority.

One way to help the poor is to energise our weak economy.

That is why I led a review of our tax system.

We are spending more trying to collect taxes and duties than the amount we actually collect!

With oil and gas revenues over US$1 billion, I thought that one way to help stimulate the economy was to put some money in the pockets of the people.

After extensive consultation, debate and thought, last week I proposed a new tax system for Timor-Leste.

It is based on three principles.

First, it will be pro-poor.

Timor-Leste has significant oil revenue, so it should not be collecting any tax from the poor or from small businesses.

Under my plan, anyone earning less than US$1000 a month will not pay tax.

After that they will pay only 10 percent.

Second, it will be pro-business and pro-development.

Timor-Leste needs to encourage the development of a strong private sector.

That means encouraging the creation of new domestic businesses and encouraging foreign businesses to set up in our country.

Third, it will be simple.

Timor-Leste should not tie up its own human resources in tax collection or tax compliance. Both the government and the private sector should have the burden of complex taxation systems removed from them.

These ideas on tax reform have been discussed with President Xanana Gusmão. He agrees in general with such ideas.

We both believe that the proposed new tax system is the right one for Timor-Leste
…that it is much needed for the good of our nation.

If we are to maintain any taxes, it should only be on goods or industries that cause any environmental and health harm.

That is my commitment to the people in this election.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Fewer than three in 100 Timorese - including almost the entire rural population - has access to telephone and internet.

The community deserves better. The Government has to act.

We must move to provide services to the sub-districts or villages.

We must provide strict obligations to roll-out network infrastructure or to expand the coverage of its service.

That is why we must establish a new telecommunications policy framework based on current international standards.

That is why we started a program of telecommunications regulatory reform.

The new policy will be aimed at promoting fair competition and private investment in the telecommunications sector.

It will mean rural and remote access to telecommunications services, cheaper and accessible internet to businesses and students.

Under my leadership we have entered into discussions with Timor Telecom to resolve this situation.

These discussions will continue if I am elected
…and we will be in a position to deliver change.

INVESTMENT

In today's globalised economy, the competition for the foreign investment is intense.

That's why we must work to improve conditions to attract investment - both national and foreign. It is a critical area of the nation's economic policy.

In a study of the World Bank, Timor-Leste was listed last year as one of the most difficult countries of the world to be able register a company.

Among 175 countries, Timor-Leste was in 174. Only Congo is worse.

As Prime Minister, I promised to amend this.

To help the Government with the efforts of changing the investment legislation, the International Financial Corporation has suggested some changes to commercial laws.

These changes will radically improve the ranking of Timor-Leste in respect to Easiness to start a Business by 98 positions (from 141st to 43rd place), and 11 positions overall.

This was ready to go to the Council of Ministers in September 2006. But for some unexplained reason it was only presented in December. It has not been approved yet. Is it that someone does not want Timor-Leste to rise in the ranks of Easiness of Doing Business under my leadership? One wonders.

If elected President, I will not rest until Timor-Leste is listed with the easiest countries in the world to do business and create opportunity.

We are also reviewing all legislation dealing with both domestic and foreign investment.

PROGRESS MADE

Nonetheless some progress was made.

Upon being sworn-in as Prime Minister I met with a group of key public servants who deal with investors.

Our aim was to simplify procedures, making it easier to invest in Timor-Leste.

I must now report that investors started to show interest in Timor-Leste. Since I took office, 34 companies have been granted the status of foreign investors as compared with only 12 in 2002-2006. Of those, 15 are new projects worth almost US$112 million that are estimated to create 4897 jobs. If we add to this the $80 million project from Thailand for green power generation, it is almost $200 million in new projects in just 8 months.

The investors are from Japan, Korea, Australia, Portugal Kuwait, Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand. These are projects aimed at developing the important sectors of tourism, infrastructure, energy, fishing and agriculture, and will be located in Dili, Com, Lospalos, Liquica, Maliana, Baucau, Loes and Hera. The investors are just waiting for certainty in the political situation so that they can kick-start the projects. Under the right climate, it all augurs well to Timor-Leste.

OTHER INVESTMENT

My Government is also negotiating with the Kuwait Arab Economic Development Fund for investment in the construction of projects worth up to US$600 million. The projects include roads, bridges, refineries and hotels.

As well, the US Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) recently selected Timor-Leste as an eligible country for funding in the next fiscal year 2007. There is now a plan to develop with MCC a five-year program of development assistance, with particular emphasis on infrastructure and private sector.

This will include an investment of US$180 million in the power sector
…to supply electricity to the entire country
… and to bring down the cost of electricity.

Widespread access to inexpensive electricity will have a major impact on the business environment.

The program will include US$160 million invested in the transport sector to improve our 3.000 kilometers of national and district roads, and Dili Airport. It is expected that by 2015 a majority of the population have access to safe water and sanitation.

SIMPLIFICATION OF PROCUREMENT

I have found Procurement, as it is functioning currently, to be a deterrent to development. They are a law onto themselves.

I must confess that it has been one of my failures not being able to 'fix' this area. However it will change. I will pursue it to ensure it does. Having projects for road building, etc. sitting there for over one year is scandalous.

Nonetheless, to honour the pledge I made during my swearing-in as Prime Minister in July when I said I would "investigate the complaints about the non-payment of bills by the Government," I made a surprise visit one morning and demanded a report explaining the government's non-payment of accounts - some dating back to 2004 - to several companies and that those debts be settled immediately.

The private and enterpreneurial sector is an indispensable element of our country. They provide a service and they should be paid promptly.

Some millions have since been paid but unfortunately there continue to be unjustifiable delays that hinder development of infrastructure and other development.

As President I will press for a complete overhaul of the procurement system.

IMMIGRATION

We have been able to remedy some ongoing problems with immigration.

Humanitarian workers previously had to renew their tourist visas every 30 days.

Under these burdens, every 30 days they had to pay $US35.

Under this mountain of red tape, some even had to travel to the border to be processed.

People recommended for residency status were waiting up to two years for their application to be processed.

It was ridiculous.

That's why as Prime Minister I have initiated the process of eliminating these anomalies. I will pursue this from the Presidency if elected.

BETTER CUSTOMS' SERVICES

We have demonstrated the political will to reduce onerous rules relating to customs.

Only my intervention led to the 'liberation', three years after arriving at the Port of Dili, of a container with goods for poor Timorese.

The container, with used clothing, furniture, food and even two wheelchairs, had been sent from Australia, to help some of the poor of Timor-Leste.

I must say though that, in the past few months, the port and customs' operations have somehow improved.

Now import of humanitarian goods has no duty and a 48 hour turn around.

Import of commercial goods now has a five day turn around.

I'll be pursuing this area with a plan for the overall of the operations. Unnecessary bureaucracy has to disappear.

HEALING THE WOUNDS OF F-FDTL AND PNTL

If I am elected President I will continue to follow the good example of President Xanana Gusmao, hero-son of our people.

In his footsteps, when I became Minister for Defence, I said I would me more like a chaplain to the armed forces than a minister,
…that I would help lift morale and to heal wounds,
…and to re-establish the pride of a liberation army whose soul seemed to have been lost.

Together with President Xanana, we did the same with PNTL.

And it was with tears in their eyes, that soldiers and police embraced each other as they gathered for an historic ceremony at the Palacio do Governo in mid November.

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.

We watched with emotion 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.

The head of the armed forces, Brigadier Taur Mata Ruak shook hands and embraced many of the police at the rally.

The then 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.

The "peace rally" followed extraordinary meetings held between the President of the Republic, Xanana Gusmão, myself and leaders of Timor-Leste's army and police.

These meetings were followed by larger gatherings involving the President, myself and all senior and middle-ranking army and police officers.

Today F-FDTL and PNTL, side by side, shoulder to shoulder, support each other in re-establishing with success law and order in Dili.

I will continue his historic program promoting a culture of peace, tolerance and non-violence across the country.

ASSIST THE POOR

As President I will also devote my attention and energy to assisting the poor.

That is why I intend to establish a Presidential Task-Force on Poverty
…to be co-chaired by the Head of State, the Speaker of National Parliament and the Prime Minister.

I will invite experienced members of the civil society to be part of the task-force
…including the Non-Government sector and the Catholic Church.

It will review past government policies and failures in the area of poverty reduction.

It will propose new strategies and budgets.

The fight against poverty must be a national rallying point.

I will support a combination of immediate cash transfers to the poorest households.

I will support quick-impact programs,
…expanding the cash for work program beyond street cleaning into small projects
…such as rural roads maintenance, repair and or maintenance of schools, hospitals, and clinics.

PENSIONS TO THE POOR

If elected I will propose a tight pension plan to help our poorest and most disadvantaged.

I have worked closely with some of the world's top economists on this matter.

I think we can make it work.

The country can afford to budget up to US$40 million to pay out at the monthly amount of US$40
…targeting the100,000 poorest individuals, elderly, handicapped, war widows and veterans.

The payments should be done on quarterly basis
…saving on administrative costs.

It will be done on location through the government and church network.

HOUSING FOR THE POOR

Immediately, if elected President, I will propose an ambitious project:
…housing for the poor
…for public servants
…members of PNTL
…teachers
particularly for those serving the people, educating our children, in the border areas, in the remote villages of our nation.

This is the right thing to do
…as the poor cannot afford a roof over their heads
…and if we want our policemen and women,
…teachers
… and public servants
to have the basic conditions to work, to serve our people, in the most remote and poor areas.

It will also foster the decentralization and development of those less fortunate, accessible areas of Timor-Leste.

LAND, WATER AND FOREST PRESERVATION PROGRAM

In parallel, I will advocate the launching of a major land, water and forest preservation program to save our land and create jobs.

We must remember that Timor-Leste is a relatively arid island with very little rivers and lakes.

With population growth the available land and water will shrink further in the next twenty years.

If we do not launch an ambitious program to replant trees, to preserve water and to care for our environment, in 20 years from now we will be having wars over water and land.

This is a problem in many parts of the world.

We cannot let it happen here.

I will advocate an ambitious 20-year program investing at least US$10 million a year on tree planting and water preservation.

We can plant trees that grow fast for fire wood.

We can plant trees that grow fast such as bamboo for export and earn income for villagers.

We can also plant trees that will take 20 to 30 years to mature such as teak and sandal wood.

Such a program can inject millions of dollars into our economy every year.

HELPING STUDENTS AND YOUTH

Young people are our future.

That is why we must spend an additional US$10 million for students and youth.

I would propose that US$5 million be allocated in the form of scholarships for secondary and university students.

This will enable the poorest families to provide their children with an additional income to buy clothing, food and books.

Public schools are free but this is not enough if a student cannot afford to buy food and books.

The other US$5 million would to set up Youth Centers with sports facilities and Internet in all districts.

JUSTICE

I will now talk about the complex and sensitivity issue of justice.

I have said many times that no one should put pressure on the justice system,
…that we should avoid demonstrations to put pressure on the judges.

Our justice system is under a lot of pressure because of the crisis.
… pressure because of the many cases in front of them,
…lack of information and evidence,
…shortage of experienced personnel, etc.

Recently the Dili District Court passed a significant judgement on the case of Mr. Rogerio Lobato with a 7 ½ year prison sentence.

Most people we surprised with this heavy sentence.
…those who were critical and suspicious of our courts seemed to have been pleased with the verdict.

I can only say again,
…let us all be patient
…let the judges handle all the cases without pressure from the government
…and from the public.

CHURCH

Timorese people are a people deeply spiritual whose day to day is inspired and influenced by the spirits of the past and by supernatural beliefs that are fused with Christian beliefs.

For that reason we cannot import or impose modern beliefs from that secularism or European culture that would disturb the symbiotic relationship of Timorese and Catholic Church culture.

The Timorese Catholic Church is the only continuous institution, solid, that has absorbed the fabric of Timorese.

In partnerhsip with our young State, it has helped us in this crisis,
…it is helping us heal the wounds.

I salute with reverence and friendship our two Bishops, Dom Ricardo and Dom Basilio, and through them all the Timorese and foreign clerics serving in Timor-Leste.

The Church must continue to help us better serve the people of Timor-Leste in all areas,
…social,
…educational,
…cultural,
…spiritual and moral.

I favour that the State should provide adequate funding to the Catholic Church
…so it can more efficiently
…assume a bigger role in the the spiritual and moral guidance of our people
…in education
…in health
…in the development of our youth
…in the fight against poverty.

The State must make available to the Church, namely the Dioceses, at least US$10 million to cover the expenses associated with its activities.

It is not a favour.
…it is an obligation of the State towards the oldest and most credible institution in our Nation.

GOD

GOD, is the Creator and Lord of heaven and earth.
…He is also, in the words of the Vatican Council, "omnipotent, eternal, immense, incomprehensible, infinite in intellect and will and in every perfection".

Timor-Leste is a Catholic Nation.
…the Timorese love and fear God.
…pray to God
…to thank Him for the small mercies and to seek His help in times of need.

Still, our Constitution has but two mentions to God, the Almighty and the Merciful, in its Preamble,
…one says that "interpreting the profound sentiments, the aspirations and the faith in God of the People of Timor-Leste",
…the other, in the oath of the President of the Republic - "I swear to God…"

I defend that there should be an amendment to our Constitution so that a meaningful reference to God, to the moral and spiritual values that He teaches us because, after all, He is the definition of that which is pure and righteous in all the universe.

MY ROLE AS PRESIDENT

The President, as you know, is not responsible for the day to day management of the economy.

But the President has the duty and the right to speak out,
…to advocate,
…to propose ideas based on solid evidence.

If elected President it will be my mission
…to help those who for centuries had very little,
…or nothing at all.

It will be my mission
…to eradicate needless poverty and suffering
…to lend an ear to the oppressed
…and to be their voice.

I passionately believe that a President cannot stay silent on issues of poverty.

If we all agree that fight against poverty is a national cause, then the President must lead the fight.

He must summon all the people of this country to wage this war,
…the only war that is moral and ethical.

I regret that in the 10 months that I have served as Prime Minister I have not been able to do more do help the poor
…just as I regret that our government has done little to help the poor over the last five years.

But the time for regrets has now passed, and it is time to move forward
…to seize new challenges
…together.

We must keep in mind
…that a government cannot be irresponsible and spend money it does not have
…and that we cannot make promises that we cannot keep.

The policy prescriptions I am advocating are the product of serious though,
…of careful consideration.

They are affordable and the result of evidence-based approaches.

It should also be remembered that it is only in 2004 that we began to see our budget increase.

Many criticize the government for poor budget execution.

This is true.

Our budget execution is very low.

That is why I will continue the struggle to remove the complex regulations that our foreign advisers imposed on us
…the last of our chains.

CONCLUSION

On Sunday, 25 February,
…it was my great honor
…to put myself forward to the Presidential elections.

It was the culmination of a life-long commitment to my people, to my country.

I did it with the people of Laga
…the poorest of the poor villages in Timor-Leste
…and one of my childhood homes.

I was deeply humbled to be there.

I know that I have the capacities and capabilities to assume the highest office in the land
…and the deep support of so many small villages
…like Laga.

Our nation is still fragile.

Its institutions are still weak.

Poverty is still widespread.

Justice has not yet been served.

I accept the call of the people
…across the country and in Laga
…to be the candidate to succeed Xanana Gusmão,
…hero-son of our people.

Whatever happens on April 9 I will never abandon them.

May God, the Almighty and the Merciful bless you all.

 

 
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