YouSaid · the spoken record

Ramos-Horta

lines on the record: 288
first: 2001-01-26
most recent: 2017-09-20
sittings or episodes: 16
sources: un-security-council

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“Mr. Ramos-Horta: Speaking here from Bissau, I would like to let the Council know that with me is my very loyal team - the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Guinea-Bissau (UNIOGBIS) family, who sustain the United Nations presence here. To my right is Mr.”
2014-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7121 (2014) · source
“I invite other international partners to lend further support in this area. Secondly, the holding of credible and peaceful presidential and legislative elections in Guinea-Bissau on 16 March 2014, as announced by the Transitional President, should remain our key priority in ensuring a return to constitutional order in the country. I would like to commend Guinea-Bissau's international partners for their generous pledges of financial support to the electoral process, which I urge them to disburse rapidly, following arrangements for proper management. As stressed by the Secretary-General in his report, the onus is now on the Transitional Government to take the necessary steps towards the timely holding of the elections.”
2013-11-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7070 (2013) · source
“In a joint letter to the Transitional President dated 19 September, the Economic Community of West African States Special Representative in Bissau and l expressed concern over continuing human rights violations and impunity in the country. We also referred to the generalized climate of fear created by the unlawful behaviour of the defence and security forces. That climate of fear has persisted to date and is not contributing to establishing an environment conducive to the holding of peaceful and credible elections. The transitional authorities must ensure that those responsible for these unlawful acts are brought to justice. The United Nations will continue to provide support for the implementation of the recommendations of the National Conference on lmpunity, Justice and Human Rights, which was held in Bissau in July.”
2013-11-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7070 (2013) · source
“In my statements on the occasion, I emphasized that the regional offices would contribute to bringing the United Nations closer to the people and help the Organization to have a better understanding of the problems facing the people in the interior of the country. In conclusion, allow me to highlight two key points. First, progress in the restoration of constitutional order in Guinea-Bissau remains frustratingly slow. Indeed, and as highlighted in the two reports, the human rights and security situation in Guinea-Bissau has continued to deteriorate, with increased cases of intimidation, threats, and restrictions of freedom of expression and assembly, as well as continuing interference of the military in the affairs of the State.”
2013-11-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7070 (2013) · source
“With respect to the UNIOGBIS mandate, delays in preparations for the elections have had a negative impact on its implementation. Most of the mission's efforts have been focused on responding to the country's immediate political, security and human rights challenges. However, the Mission has made some progress, in establishing two regional offices, in the north-central region of Bafata and in the southern region of Buba. The inauguration ceremonies on 9 November were attended by hundreds of people, including the Governors of Bafata and Quinara, sector administrators, military and security personnel, traditional and religious leaders.”
2013-11-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7070 (2013) · source
“As to the judiciary, since the assassination of a Nigerian citizen in Bissau on 8 October and the opening of an investigation into the case, 10 individuals have been formally charged with the crime and are being held at the Judiciary Police detention centre pending their trial. The Prosecutor-General has also opened another investigation into the attack on the Minister of Transport and Communications of the Transitional Government, Mr. Orlando Viegas Mendes, which occurred on 5 November. The Minister is still out of the country receiving medical care for the injuries he sustained during the violent beating. We have been informed that 11 individuals have been questioned by the Judiciary Police in relation to the attack.”
2013-11-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7070 (2013) · source
“Parliamentarians will discuss, inter alia, the amnesty bill in favour of the authors of the coup d'etat of 2012, the public finance management transparency code, and the State budget for 2014. Members of the Council will recall that the amnesty bill proposed by the Transitional Government, with the support of the Social Renewal Party (PRS), was initially rejected by the National Assembly on 10 September. At that time, the PRS Secretary-General had announced that his party would resubmit the bill, arguing that amnesty was part of the "normalization process" under way.”
2013-11-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7070 (2013) · source
“The delegation, which includes 20 advisers from the election management body of Timor- Leste, will remain in Guinea-Bissau for four months to provide advice to the Government's technical electoral support office. The Government of Timor-Leste has pledged $6 million for the voter registration process and donated 200 electoral kits. Overall, pledges made by international partners are now well in excess of the budget prepared by the Transitional Government. Please allow me to say a few words on other key developments in the country since the issuance of the two reports of the Secretary-General. With respect to political developments, the first ordinary session of the 2013-2014 parliamentary year opened on 18 November and is expected to end on 18 December.”
2013-11-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7070 (2013) · source
“He also indicated that the costs of the elections would be fully covered by pledges made by the country's key international partners. While some progress has been made in the past few weeks in advancing preparations for the elections, much remains to be done. To assist in these efforts, the Transitional Prime Minister has established a coordinating committee for the electoral process and financial support to the general elections 0f2013-2014, under his chairmanship, to ensure coordination among partners. On 5 November, an electoral mission from Timor- Leste, headed by the Timorese Secretary of State of Administrative Decentralization, Mr. Tomas Cabral, arrived in Bissau.”
2013-11-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7070 (2013) · source
“Lengthy consultations among national stakeholders to agree on the voter registration system and to finalize the electoral budget and timeline have significantly contributed to the delay in advancing electoral preparations, including in mobilizing the required resources to cover the elections. On 31 October, the Transitional Government announced that digital voter registration would take place both in Guinea-Bissau and in the diaspora from 1 to 22 December. The Transitional Government subsequently announced that the voter registration period would be modified to run from 1 to 31 December. On 15 November, Transitional President Serifo Nhamadjo issued a decree announcing that general elections would be held on 16 March 2014.”
2013-11-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7070 (2013) · source
“Mr. Ramos-Horta: I thank you, Sir, for this opportunity to introduce the two reports of the Secretary-General (8/2013/680 and 8/2013/681) on the continuing efforts to help restore constitutional order in Guinea-Bissau and on the activities of the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Guinea- Bissau (UNIOGBIS). As the Secretary-General indicates in his report, progress towards the restoration of constitutional order in Guinea-Bissau, especially with respect to the holding of credible presidential and legislative elections, has continued to be slow.”
2013-11-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7070 (2013) · source
“In conclusion, the report of the Secretary-General (S/20l3/262) before the Council includes the results of the painstaking technical assessment mission that I led to look into the mandate and resources needed to realize the vision to which I referred earlier, to support the efforts of the people of Guinea-Bissau and to reconfigure UNIOGBIS to play a critical advisory role. I would like to make a special plea to members of the Council to positively consider the Secretary-General's recommendations and adopt a resolution that will send a strong message of support to the people of Guinea- Bissau.”
2013-05-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6963 (2013) · source
“The United Nations inter-agency technical assessment mission that was dispatched to Guinea- Bissau in March suggested that the problems in the country were not insurmountable. However, solving them requires, first and foremost, strong political and financial support from the international community. In that regard, the call by the authorities of Guinea-Bissau for the United Nations to take the leadership in the electoral process so as to avoid any possible elections- related disputes or Violence needs to be given serious consideration.”
2013-05-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6963 (2013) · source
“I intend to actively engage the new authorities and help them rebuild the institutions of the State, including by the co-location of international experts in key Government sectors for a period of up to five years, in order to completely reform and modernize the defence forces, the judicial system and public administration. The defence forces will need to undergo major rethinking on the basis of a sober analysis of the security needs of the country and adjusted to the financial resources available. ECOWAS is taking the lead in that process, but there are other willing partners outside the region that are ready to contribute towards a new army for Guinea-Bissau that is more professional, imbued with a democratic culture, smaller and less costly yet more effective.”
2013-05-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6963 (2013) · source
“In that regard, it will be important for all major political parties to unite into a Government of national unity, following the next legislative elections. The support of the Security Council and States Members of the United Nations for the elections that will usher in a new, post-election phase is imperative. In the post-election phase, a broad coalition would provide power-sharing governmental efforts to rebuild the State that currently exists in name only. In that connection, additional material support will be crucial. The international community will be called upon to do its part.”
2013-05-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6963 (2013) · source
“Secondly, we must assist in the post-electoral strengthening of State institutions through reforms that are underpinned not only by financial support but also the direct co-location of experts, as well as mentoring efforts, to ensure sustainable stabilization and development. I have consistently advocated that all the people of Guinea-Bissau absorb a new political culture in which elections do not lead to the division of the country or a winner-takes-all situation. Bearing in mind the enormous challenges that the people of Guinea-Bissau face, no single political group can alone manage the transition out of the deep hole into which Guinea-Bissau has sunk and towards lasting peace and prosperity.”
2013-05-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6963 (2013) · source
“The first of these was the confirmation of the extension of the duration of the transition until 31 December 2013, with elections to be held in November. The second was the formation of an all- inclusive transitional Government; and the third was the election of a President of the National Electoral Commission upon reception of a proposal from the Supreme Court's Council of Judges. On 30 April, the political parties signed an agreement on the aforementioned three points. Guinea-Bissau's challenges must be addressed through a two-phase transition. First, we must support the return to constitutional order through elections.”
2013-05-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6963 (2013) · source
“On 25 and 26 April, the ad hoc Parliamentary Commission reviewing the transitional pact signed in May 2012 held a two-day retreat with the support of the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Guinea-Bissau (UNIOGBIS) to finalize a draft transitional regime pact. On 28 April, Transitional President Serifo Nhamajo returned to Bissau following an absence of more than a month, and announced that an all-inclusive Government would be formed soon and elections held before the end of the year. On 29 and 30 April, all political parties, along with military, civil society and religious leaders, gathered in Parliament for discussions on the draft transitional regime pact, reaching agreement on three points.”
2013-05-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6963 (2013) · source
“I am also delighted to announce that all international partners are united on two immediate key objectives of the transition, namely, the formation of a new, more inclusive transitional Government, and the adoption of a consensus road map, with a firm commitment to holding elections before the end of the year. In addition, all agree that there is a need to restore constitutional order no later than the end of this year, on the basis of the decisions made by the ECOWAS Authority in Yamoussoukro. I am pleased to report that in the days leading up to this meeting, some positive developments have taken place.”
2013-05-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6963 (2013) · source
“In that context, I have continued to engage key States members of the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the European Union and the Community of Portuguese-speaking Countries, with meetings at the highest levels in Addis Ababa, Abuja, Banjul, Dakar, Praia, Maputo, Lisbon and Brussels. I am particularly satisfied with the frank tete-a-tetes I have had with the Heads of State and Foreign Ministers of Nigeria, Senegal, the Gambia, Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea, Angola, Cape Verde, Mozambique, Brazil and Portugal, as well as with the President of the European Commission, the Commissioner for International Development and members of the European Parliament.”
2013-05-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6963 (2013) · source
“Not everything about Guinea-Bissau is negative. On the positive side, the people of Guinea-Bissau, despite their disenchantment, are peaceful and friendly people who have never turned to crime or ethnic violence, as has been the case in many comparable situations. The country has one of the lowest crime rates in Africa, if not the world. It is safe to walk around Bissau without the standard fears one may have in many capitals of the world. If appropriate support were given to more productive, preventive diplomacy programmes, Guinea-Bissau could become a shining example of a success story. I have sought to work actively towards realizing the directives emanating from the Council in order to ensure that all international stakeholders speak with one voice on the critical issues in Guinea-Bissau.”
2013-05-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6963 (2013) · source
“As was predicted during an International Monetary Fund monitoring mission in February, economic and fiscal performance for 2013 will improve only if the cashew harvest and commercialization season, which started at the end of March, pick up. Food security will be compromised if local and rural cashew farmers continue to face difficulties in exchanging or bartering cashews for rice. Compounding the socioeconomic situation is the continuing spate of salary-related strikes by workers in the public sector. In addition to difficulties in paying public-sector salaries, the Government is unable to provide basic water and electricity services. Public health and sanitation challenges are also becoming acute. The six-month rainy season will start in a week, and help is needed to avert cholera and other related epidemics.”
2013-05-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6963 (2013) · source
“This is a regional and global social and security problem with two clear poles - the regions of production and the regions of consumption - feeding that criminal activity. I would strongly advocate for a strengthened international anti-narcotic presence in the country. In order to address this challenge, therefore, I urge that robust financial and human resources be mobilized to support the deployment of adequate expertise to assist the authorities in Guinea-Bissau and the entire chain of drug-handling from source countries through to consumption countries. Against this background, the socioeconomic situation in Guinea-Bissau remains precarious in a context where the financial and budgetary support the country's partners are providing barely covers the Government's needs and commitments. Internal revenue generation remains inadequate.”
2013-05-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6963 (2013) · source
“Concerning the latter, the operation launched by the United States Drug Enforcement Agency that led to the arrest of the Navy's former Chief of Staff, Rear Admiral Bubo Na Tchuto, and the announcement of the indictment of the Chief of General Staff of Guinea-Bissau's armed forces, General Antonio Indjai, constitute a turning point in the fight against drug trafficking in Guinea-Bissau. They send a strong signal to the elite of Guinea-Bissau and those using the country as a transit route for drugs that the international community will not accept Guinea- Bissau's being turned into a drug-trafficking platform. The use oquinea-Bissau as a transit point for drugs is not in doubt.”
2013-05-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6963 (2013) · source
“It is my humble view that the problem of Guinea-Bissau should be squarely placed at the feet of the political elite, who have failed their people for almost four decades. After the political elite, the military must also take the blame. The intrusion by the armed forces into the political arena is the result rather than the cause of bad governance and underdevelopment in Guinea-Bissau. Other consequences of the failure of the country's leadership include human rights violations, impunity, organized crime and drug trafficking.”
2013-05-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6963 (2013) · source
“Mr. Ramos-Horta: This being the first time I am privileged to address the Security Council since my appointment as Special Representative of the Secretary- General for Guinea-Bissau, I extend warm greetings to all the members of the Council. Because of time constraints and the fact that the full text of my speech has been distributed, I will deliver an abbreviated version of it now. From the very first day after my arrival in Guinea-Bissau in the early part of February, I undertook regular, sustained consultations with national stakeholders across the board, ranging from the Transitional President to the members of the Transitional Government, the National Assembly, the military leadership, party leaders, members of civil society, women's organizations, youth movements and religious and spiritual leaders.”
2013-05-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6963 (2013) · source
“People are individuals, with family commitments. They need certainty before they are sent off to Timor-Leste, or Afghanistan or the Congo. And when they have committed to a mission for six months, before the end of the mission - three months before - they begin to search the Internet looking for other jobs. Their attention begins to focus on job possibilities on the Internet, rather than on the job on the ground. It is with such frankness that I am asking the Council to seriously consider extending the Mission for 12 months.”
2007-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5628 (2007) · source
“I am sure that members would agree that it would be unrealistic to expect even a simple take-away food restaurant in Manhattan to require less than one or two years of investment to achieve profitable and sustained management. Therefore, it might require a bit more time - more than a year or two - to build a nation-State. We believe, therefore, that - whether in Timor- Leste or in any post-conflict situation - there has to be long-term commitment. In the case of Timor-Leste, we are talking about a six-month mandate - in this particular case, six months after the establishment of UNMIT by the Council in August. UNMIT has not completely recruited the required personnel as set out in the submission by the Secretary-General to the Council. A six-month mandate creates instability for those who are recruited and sent on mission.”
2007-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5628 (2007) · source
“Again, I emphasize that we are conscious of the fact that we are not the centre of the universe, and that, unfortunately, there are many other conflict situations that require the attention of the United Nations. But an extra effort and investment in our country would go a long way towards consolidating peace and security there. Therefore, the extension of UNMIT for a another 12 months is absolutely necessary. I would like to be frank - allow me the frankness of someone who basically grew up with the United Nations. I began lobbying this very body - the Security Council - for the first time in December 1975, and that allows me some liberty to be frank with the United Nations.”
2007-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5628 (2007) · source
“We not a failing State. We are a State that has existed for only five years, and what we have achieved so far - thanks not only to our own people and our own leadership but to the generous commitment of the international community - has been impressive. The crisis of April-May and of the following weeks is the type of crisis that many developing countries face at the beginning of their history and that some still face many decades after their independence. The important thing that we have learned in the case of Timor-Leste and of other post-conflict situations is that the international community, bilaterally or through the United Nations, must remain committed and steady for the medium and long term. There are no quick fixes.”
2007-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5628 (2007) · source
“I therefore plead with the United Nations to stay the course with us, so that Timor-Leste can eventually become a lasting success story. The extension of UNMIT's mandate for another 12 months would be a first step in that regard. We know that Timor-Leste is not the centre of our universe, and that, tragically, Timor-Leste is but one of many of the conflict situations of which the United Nations is seized and that requires its attention. However, the international community has made significant investments in our country since 1999. It has been labeled a success story, and rightly so. Some in the past have been overly optimistic, but that can lead people to lose perspective, to lose sight of reality, and turn pessimistic at the first sign of trouble. One day they label East Timor a success story, the next day they call it a failure.”
2007-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5628 (2007) · source
“That is why, at this critical juncture, we need the continuing assistance and sustained commitment of the United Nations to successfully carry out this lengthy and arduous task. When we look at our own region and at the success stories of Singapore, Malaysia, the Republic of Korea and others, we are reminded that success did not come to them overnight. It was the result of decades of dedicated and disciplined institution-building, socio- economic development, massive investment in vocational training and education, and the ability to convert setbacks into opportunities for the future. Having said this, we do not wish to make excuses for our own shortcomings in the area of governance. But we believe that all of us have a better understanding of the challenges facing us than we did six years ago.”
2007-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5628 (2007) · source
“We have already increased the number of "cash for work" programmes; we have expedited rural development programmes across all villages; we have ensured that local leaders such as the Chefes de Suco have better and greater resources to do their jobs; we have increased scholarships for the young; we have provided financial support to widows, including those affected by last year's events; we have undertaken a radical review of our tax system, with the support of the International Monetary Fund; and we have streamlined the business development process, including legislative changes aimed at ensuring that doing business and creating jobs in Timor-Leste becomes more a attractive proposition. However, building a State almost from scratch is a Herculean task.”
2007-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5628 (2007) · source
“Poverty eradication, progress towards reaching the Millennium Development Goals, and the establishment of conditions for good governance will thus continue to be the guiding principles of my Government.”
2007-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5628 (2007) · source
“We expect, following ratification by the two sides and the exchange of notes, that the parties involved in the Timor Sea will immediately begin additional investments that will bring significant new revenues to Timor-Leste within a few years. In that context, I would like to commend my predecessor, Mr. Mari Alkatiri, for his able and pragmatic leadership in the context of the negotiation of all petroleum treaties and concerning our maritime boundary treaty with Australia. I wish also to commend and thank Australian Prime Minister John Howard and Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer for their equally pragmatic and sensitive approach to the negotiations in regard to the three treaties. In my inaugural speech as Prime Minister of Timor-Leste in July, I emphasized the fact that I would govern as an advocate for the poor.”
2007-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5628 (2007) · source
“Another cornerstone of Timor-Leste's development is economic stability, in particular the further exploitation of its petroleum reserves. Timor- Leste is blessed with significant natural resources that, if well managed, may guarantee our economic future. The petroleum fund, which was established to guarantee transparency in managing Timor-Leste's petroleum income and to ensure that future generations benefit from our resources, entered into effect only two years ago and has already accumulated $1 billion. The National Parliament will soon ratify two additional agreements with Australia related to the exploration of oil and gas in the Timor Sea, in particularly in the area called Greater Sunrise.”
2007-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5628 (2007) · source
“They are being considered in the framework of the regulations to be submitted for approval by the National Elections Commission and in discussions on an interpretative law. The President has set 9 April 2007 as the date of the presidential elections and will announce the date of parliamentary elections immediately following the presidential ones. According to Timor-Leste's electoral law, parliamentary elections must be held within 80 days of the announcement. We are confident that, with extensive support from UNMIT, the presence of international observers and with an internationally supervised body of laws and processes in place, we can organize and conduct peaceful, free, fair and transparent elections.”
2007-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5628 (2007) · source
“In the case of Major Alfredo Reinado and of others implicated in the violence of May 2006, my Government, with United Nations support, has opted for dialogue - a prudent approach aimed at ensuring that justice can prevail without the use of force. Another critical milestone on Timor-Leste's path to restoring stability will be this year's presidential and parliamentary elections. Parliament has recently adopted electoral laws governing both elections which provide a legal framework for a parliamentary, multiparty, party-list system, with a 25 per cent female representation quota, and for the establishment of an independent electoral commission. The United Nations Independent Electoral Certification Team has provided constructive feedback in the three reports it has submitted to date.”
2007-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5628 (2007) · source
“We are facing a twofold battle: the delivery of quick, efficient and impartial justice, as recommended by the Special Commission of Inquiry, alongside the long-term endeavour of forming - not reforming - a judicial system from scratch, knowing that the evidence indicates that the judicial reform process in any country needs 10 to 15 years to bear fruit. High, unrealistic expectations without adequate support to fulfil them can create unnecessary anxiety and lead to failure in both battles. Notwithstanding our national reconciliation policy, we cannot accept impunity. Several cases currently on trial, including that of the former Interior Minister and cases relating to F-FDTL soldiers, demonstrate our commitment to equal and efficient justice.”
2007-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5628 (2007) · source
“However, owing to the additional burden and complexity of the caseload resulting from the events of April and May 2006, the system is overstretched and not prepared to deal with this post-crisis scenario. The State is united and determined to see justice done. The principal framework of assistance that the United Nations is providing to the sector must be enhanced, so that we can respond to the immediate need for justice delivery without losing sight of our long-term goal: developing the capacity of our institutions and human resources.”
2007-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5628 (2007) · source
“Since mid-2006, as a result of focused, systematic capacity-building strategies and coherent in- country training programmes, we have had a small but qualified cadre of Timorese court actors working alongside and under the mentorship of more than 15 international judicial practitioners. However, the 2006 crisis has had an enormous impact on our nascent judicial system, which was created to deal with a normal development scenario. The system is determined to provide justice for the people and to help restore social peace. Clear steps have been taken in that regard, with several sensitive cases having been investigated and already being tried.”
2007-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5628 (2007) · source
“We must learn to settle our disputes peacefully and to enjoy our individual freedoms responsibly. We remain committed to achieving our long-term vision for the justice sector: an accessible system capable of delivering equal and efficient justice, upholding the rule of law and protecting the democratic system of the State, with the ultimate goal of sustainable growth for the benefit of our people. From a difficult starting point in 2000, we have come a long way in constructing our legal and judicial system with clear priorities: developing the legal framework for the country and institutional and human resources capacity, together with increased legal awareness among the general population. With the support of like- minded partners and through the United Nations Development Programme, we are slowly but steadily progressing.”
2007-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5628 (2007) · source
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those agencies and the donor community for their immense efforts and for responding generously to the United Nations appeals, as well as for their bilateral and local contributions. The violence of last year led to the destruction of an estimated 2,500 houses, most of which were burned. The often violent manner in which many people were forced to flee their homes - some under severe and imminent threat to their lives, others intimidated by the throwing of stones onto the roofs of their houses - has brought to light a serious strain on our young country: the violence of today is part of a collective trauma caused by the violence of our past. Overcoming it constitutes one of the greatest challenges for our generation.”
2007-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5628 (2007) · source
“Efforts are being made to access the real damage that we suffered during the crisis, through the development of an emergency reconstruction plan that includes a survey in the field that will enable us to plan for the relocation of families. At the same time, the Government has made land available for the building of new housing, which, although it will not cover all needs, will be a first step in providing support to displaced families, especially those at greater risk. With the help of development partners, temporary houses have been built in several areas of Dili to provide shelter for IDPs, who are at risk owing to the rainy season.”
2007-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5628 (2007) · source
“The combined efforts of President Xanana Gusmao's national reconciliation programme, the Government's "Simu Malu" initiative, my personal engagement and United Nations police security measures are starting to bring under control criminal gangs and martial arts groups, recruited primarily from among the jobless youth. The Government's "Simu Malu" policy initiative was born of the need to address the problem of the 150,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) at that time. "Simu Malu" - which, in our native Tetum language, means "to receive each other" - means that IDPs are being received back into their communities, in line with the internationally accepted principle of voluntary return in safety and dignity. The programme has been successful to an extent. Still, 25,000 to 29,000 IDPs continue to live in camps in and around Dili.”
2007-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5628 (2007) · source
“I wish also to thank the European Commission, through the Club of Madrid, which has also assisted us in the dialogue process. In particular, I would like to highlight the event of 10 December 2006, led by President Xanana Gusmao, which brought the national leadership together in a traditional peace ceremony during which Timorese leaders publicly acknowledged collective responsibility for the crisis. President Gusmao has also set up a commission involving our youth, who are among the most disadvantaged and disaffected groups in our society. They have not yet earned the dividend of our hard-won freedom, which we and they so eagerly expected and fought for. We must pay attention to them. They need to build a stronger sense of identity through stronger participation in our nation-building and community relations efforts.”
2007-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5628 (2007) · source
“On 27 April 2006, at the beginning of the crisis, the then-Prime Minister, Mari Alkatiri, alongside President Xanana Gusmao, announced the establishment of a Commission of Notables to look into the allegations contained in the petition signed by 594 former members of the defence force. The report of the Commission is ready and will be released very soon, in the next few days. With regard to the issue of national reconciliation more generally, I wish to place on record our appreciation to all our political, community and church leaders for their efforts. I thank the Government of Norway for engaging Gunnar Stalsett, retired Lutheran Bishop of Oslo and a former member of the Nobel Committee, as its special envoy to assist us in the dialogue process.”
2007-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5628 (2007) · source
“When they were ordered back to their barracks - having been called in at the end of the end of April to carry out law-and-order duties, which was not their responsibility - they complied. My recent decision to deploy them to guard the Government palace has not been challenged by the public. Our defence force was the subject of malicious rumours that proved to be unfounded. In its report, the Independent Special Commission of Inquiry found no basis for the allegation that the defence force had been involved in massacres. The pride of the force was wounded, but the combined effect of being cleared of the rumours of mass killings and resuming some regular activities is assisting them in healing that wounded pride. Regarding the issue of the so-called petitioners, we have made some progress.”
2007-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5628 (2007) · source
“With regard to reconciliation, allow me to say a few words on the status of our armed forces, the Falintil-Forcas de Defesa de Timor-Leste (F-FDTL). As members know, I am Minister of Defence, which is a role that I had not envisaged. When I accepted the responsibility of that role in the midst of the crisis, I stated to the parliament and to our people that I viewed it more as that of a chaplain and moderator, building bridges among the forces and with the communities. Both President Xanana Gusmao and I have put a lot of effort into healing the wounds between the police force and the F-FDTL. A number of joint initiatives are under way to facilitate that. I can say proudly that our armed forces have demonstrated remarkable discipline since the tragic events of 25 May 2006.”
2007-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5628 (2007) · source
“"Forca 2020" is a comprehensive study, just issued by the Ministry of Defence, that defines the objectives of the armed forces for the next 15 years and provides an assessment of what is needed to face the challenges ahead. That includes the creation of a military academy to improve training and doctrine, the deployment of military personnel to United Nations peacekeeping missions and the use of engineering units for civil protection tasks in the event of natural disaster. To that end, new legislation has been adopted promulgating the regime for military promotions, the code of military discipline, the organic law of the Ministry of Defence, amendments to the organic law of the defence forces and a draft law on conscription into military service that has just been adopted by the parliament.”
2007-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5628 (2007) · source