REPÚBLICA DEMOCRÁTICA DE TIMOR-LESTE
IV CONSTITUTIONAL GOVERNMENT
MEDIA RELEASE Díli- October 12, 2009
Statement
By
The Spokesperson of the IV Constitutional Government,
The Secretary of State for the Council of Ministers
Government receives Vote of Confidence
Yesterday marked a new era for the democratic systems in the young seven-year old Nation- State of Timor-Leste.
The Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, once again demonstrated his commitment to national leadership by willingly engaging in a ten hour frank and open debate over a ten hour period, responding to a Vote of no Confidence introduced by Fretilin.
The debate was broadcast live on television and radio, reaching out to the Nation and aired as far as Indonesia. The Prime Minister patiently listened to the criticisms and demands for explanation; and in turn, responded by providing as much information as parliamentary time permitted.
The Prime Minister reiterated the fact that the public debate, which was an open and transparent process, was a sign of great progress for the nation. During the era of the Former Government, it was extremely rare for the former Prime Minister and Members of Government to accede to respond to routine question time; using the absolute majority in Parliament to kill any move to censure Alkatiri’s Government.
The Prime Minister also reminded Opposition that although the report by the Commission for Reception, Truth and Reconciliation (CAVR) “Chega!” had been referred to the National Parliament in November 2005, no initiative was taken to debate and implement the recommendations by the former Government.
For the first time, Xanana Gusmão recounted the consultative process in the Bere case which included all the major office holders of the State; The President of the Republic, the Acting President of Court of Appeal (Natércia Gusmão), the Public Prosecutor General and the leader of the main opposition party, Mr Mari Alkatiri.
Gusmão described the public censure as ‘political opportunism’ on a matter that was deeply sensitive to the Timorese, “Political opportunism is perhaps the most powerful temptation of all in politics: it is very difficult to fight against a trend that is inherent to man, mostly to his smallness and his frailty before ideas and policies that are much stronger and much better prepared.”
Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, provided the Nation with his vision for the future with an honest and clear –cut approach to politics based on the fundamental national interests which echoed in the hearts and minds of the people.
Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão, once again, proved his commitment to his People and to the Nation. The public debate served to build confidence in the IV Constitutional Government and in the end, the Gusmão Government received resounding support by National Parliament.
ENDS
For More Information Please Contact: Ágio Pereira +670 723 0011; E-mail:
agiopereira@cdm.gov.tl
Wednesday, 14 October 2009
Monday, 12 October 2009
President of the Republic receives credentials from Israel and Canada Ambassadors
The Head of State, Dr. José Ramos-Horta, received today the credentials from two new Ambassadors to the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste (RDTL), of Israel and Canada, in a ceremony held at the Palace Nicolau Lobato, in Díli.
The Israeli Ambassador, Mrs. Amira Arnon, on behalf of President Shimon Peres and the Israeli People transmitted the best wishes to Dr. Ramos-Horta and the Timorese People.
The Timorese President emphasized the significance of the relations between Israel and RDTL, from the first day of the reestablishment of Independence.
The Nobel Peace Prize Laureate reaffirmed the “danger of nuclear weapons in Middle East” and evoked the call of the US President, Mr. Barack Obama, to total denuclearization.
Dr.Ramos-Horta defended the thesis of “two States” – the Israeli and the Palestinian – in the region, as the unique solution “to achieve peace and democracy” in Middle East.
The Israeli Ambassador holds a Bachelor Arts degree in International Relations, from the Hebrew University, Jerusalem. She holds also a Masters degree in Political Sciences – National Defense, from the Haifa University.
Ambassador Arnon attended a Young Diplomats special program on Middle Eastern Affairs, from the University of Jerusalem, as well as the Military College for National Defense – Israel.
In November 1970, she joined the Foreign Office. Since 1996, the diplomat worked at the UN, New York, Nepal, Turkey, Guatemala and the Balkans (Macedonia, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina).
In 2009, Mrs. Arnon assumed the post of Ambassador to Singapore and non-resident Ambassador to the RDTL.
The Canadian Ambassador, Mr. Mackenzie Clugston, underlined the RDTL “capacity building” and congratulated the President and the Timorese People.
Dr. Ramos-Horta said he is grateful for the “solidarity” received from Canada since 1999 and mentioned the Canadian officials and police performance under the UN flag.
The Timorese Head of State said Canada is one of the most important contributors to UN and censured the slowness of the reform of the organization, despite the major changes occurred during the last decade in the world.
Mr. Mackenzie Clugston, considered one of the top diplomats of his country, is an expert on East Asian Affairs, with specialization on Japan.
Ambassador Clugston joined the Foreign Service in 1982 and worked in Japan in four different positions: as public affairs officer (1985), trade commissioner (1997), general consul in Osaka (2000) and deputy head of mission (2003).
Graduated from Trent University, master in Public Administration from Queen’s University, Ambassador Glugston speaks fluently English, French and Japanese. The diplomat will cover Timor-Leste from Jakarta.
The ceremony ended with the usual protocol change of gifts.
PPS - Díli, 08OCT-09
The Israeli Ambassador, Mrs. Amira Arnon, on behalf of President Shimon Peres and the Israeli People transmitted the best wishes to Dr. Ramos-Horta and the Timorese People.
The Timorese President emphasized the significance of the relations between Israel and RDTL, from the first day of the reestablishment of Independence.
The Nobel Peace Prize Laureate reaffirmed the “danger of nuclear weapons in Middle East” and evoked the call of the US President, Mr. Barack Obama, to total denuclearization.
Dr.Ramos-Horta defended the thesis of “two States” – the Israeli and the Palestinian – in the region, as the unique solution “to achieve peace and democracy” in Middle East.
The Israeli Ambassador holds a Bachelor Arts degree in International Relations, from the Hebrew University, Jerusalem. She holds also a Masters degree in Political Sciences – National Defense, from the Haifa University.
Ambassador Arnon attended a Young Diplomats special program on Middle Eastern Affairs, from the University of Jerusalem, as well as the Military College for National Defense – Israel.
In November 1970, she joined the Foreign Office. Since 1996, the diplomat worked at the UN, New York, Nepal, Turkey, Guatemala and the Balkans (Macedonia, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina).
In 2009, Mrs. Arnon assumed the post of Ambassador to Singapore and non-resident Ambassador to the RDTL.
The Canadian Ambassador, Mr. Mackenzie Clugston, underlined the RDTL “capacity building” and congratulated the President and the Timorese People.
Dr. Ramos-Horta said he is grateful for the “solidarity” received from Canada since 1999 and mentioned the Canadian officials and police performance under the UN flag.
The Timorese Head of State said Canada is one of the most important contributors to UN and censured the slowness of the reform of the organization, despite the major changes occurred during the last decade in the world.
Mr. Mackenzie Clugston, considered one of the top diplomats of his country, is an expert on East Asian Affairs, with specialization on Japan.
Ambassador Clugston joined the Foreign Service in 1982 and worked in Japan in four different positions: as public affairs officer (1985), trade commissioner (1997), general consul in Osaka (2000) and deputy head of mission (2003).
Graduated from Trent University, master in Public Administration from Queen’s University, Ambassador Glugston speaks fluently English, French and Japanese. The diplomat will cover Timor-Leste from Jakarta.
The ceremony ended with the usual protocol change of gifts.
PPS - Díli, 08OCT-09
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