MEDIA RELEASE
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
and Cooperation
Second
Transitional Government East Timor
Wednesday 30 January 2002
For Immediate Release
RAMOS-HORTA ASKED ABOUT FRETILIN
Senior Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Dr Jose Ramos-Horta spoke of peace and reconciliation in East Timor at a Center for Transitional Justice hosted forum, in the United States yesterday.
Speaking on the Commission on Reception, Truth and Reconciliation’s mandate to investigate all past abuses including those committed after 1974, Dr Ramos-Horta was asked about past abuses that may have been committed by the then leaders of Fretilin.
“I was very impressed by the moral and political courage of the current Fretilin leadership in their decision to set up, early last year, its own investigation to establish the facts about what happened in the past.” Dr Ramos-Horta said.
“I am impressed by the maturity that all political parties have shown thus far. The democratic elections of August 30, 2001, which included 16 political parties, passed without one single incident, this is the result of the maturity displayed by the leadership of all 16 parties, and credit must go to impartial East Timorese leaders such as Xanana Gusmao and Bishop Belo for their guidance.” Dr Ramos-Horta said.
A witness to the National Pact of Unity, a peace accord signed by political parties for the August 30 elections, Dr Ramos-Horta remains independent of all political parties.
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For further information contact:
Ms Caroline O’Brien
Media Liaison Officer
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation
Second Transitional Government
East Timor
Telephone: +61 (0)417 804
298
Email: contact_carolineo@hotmail.com
Website: http://www.gov.tp
Sr. Dr. José Ramos-Horta Updated Jan 31, 2002
* Dr Jose Ramos-Horta is an internationally-renowned spokesperson for the East Timorese cause. He received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1996 for “sustained efforts to hinder the oppression of small people”.
* Dr Ramos-Horta has been a dynamic and determined advocate for a free and independent East Timor. From 1976 until 1989, he was the permanent representative of the Frente Revolucionaria de Timor Leste Independente (FRETILIN) at the United Nations. He currently holds the position of Senior Minister & Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation in the United Nations appointed, all East Timorese, second transitional cabinet of East Timor.
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