One of the most important aspects of an independent country is that the people must feel that they are the masters of their own destinies. Because of that, we greet with open arms the Transitional Administrator’s report to the UN Security Council, on 26 January, emphasizing the importance of the Timorization process.
But the success of UNTAET in a quantitative manner, to increase the role of the East Timorese people, has not been matched by similar attempts in a qualitative manner. A qualitative manner does not mean members of the National Council; ETTA Cabinet members; the number of local District Administrators; or the number of civil servants. What we mean by qualitative is having more East Timorese make management, planning, assessment and evaluation decisions.
If there is just satisfaction in quantity, then we are no different from the time when the Indonesians were running this country where 70 per cent of the civil servants were East Timorese and all top decisions were made by the Indonesians.
This problem must be taken seriously by UNTAET, the National Council, and the ETTA Cabinet. UNTAET must realize that though independence is of ultimate importance, the road towards independence is just as important, too. Many Timorese are disappointed because the Timorisation process just appears to be on the surface, with numbers more important than having the power to make crucial decisions.
Dec
5-6 REDE: Women's Network statement to Brussels donor conference
[Speech]
"If the goal
is a sustainable political and administrative transition than it must be
capable of involving the people in the most informed and inclusive manner
possible. The transition can not be of the elite, it must be of the people.
Timorisation and capacity building have become catch phrases for the current
administration, and with reason, as the administration has been almost
fully staffed by internationals. However the mistaken perception that there
is no Timorese capacity or that there is capacity only amongst a few, and
the convenience of talking with a limited elite can not justify jumping
over and undermining the institutions being created with such difficulty."
Filomena Reis, REDE - Feto Timor Lorosae
Timorese Women's Network
Dec
5-6 CNRT/CNP: Brussels donor's meeting - opening speech by the CNRT's rep
[Speech]
"CNRT feels that the two pillars which
should support the transition to independence are: preparation of the Timorese,
or the so-called "timorization" in government structures and the entire
political process leading up to the adoption a Constitution. ... As the
process of Timorization moves ahead, time and space should be made for
the Timorese to make decisions, otherwise, Timorese will increasingly feel
as on-lookers, powerless and frustrated." Xanana Gusmao, CNRT/CNP
- National Council of Timorese Resistance
/ National Congress Presidency
Nov 6 ETO: Transition, half way to independence [Report]
Portuguese:
Nov
6 OTL: Transição, a meio caminho para a independência
[Report]
"A resolução 1272 do Conselho
de Segurança (CS), de 25 de Outubro 1999 sublinhava nas tarefas
da UNTAET “o apoio à criação de capacidades para
um governo próprio” e insistia na “necessidade da UNTAET
consultar e cooperar estreitamente com o povo de Timor Leste afim de cumprir
o seu mandato eficazmente tendo em vista o desenvolvimento de instituições
democráticas locais... , e a transferência para estas instituições
das suas funções administrativas e de serviço público”."