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

“In View of the constraints induced by the International Monetary Fund on our budget, I cannot change my ticket. I really have to leave.”
2001-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4265Resumption1 (2001) · source
“But even when we address the issue of increasing criminality, including common crimes, petty theft and so forth, according to the statistics of the civilian police, East Timor still records among the lowest criminality rates in the world, even given one of the highest rates of unemployment. In view of that, in the context of security in the territory, political violence is minimal. Criminality in terms of common crimes and in view of the unemployment rate is really not very significant in terms of the peacefulness of the territory. This is to reassure Council members and other speakers that, by and large, the situation has been very peaceful and successful in this regard. I thank the Council once again and sincerely apologize for not being able to stay longer. We have been given a ticket that does not allow changes.”
2001-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4265Resumption1 (2001) · source
“I would like to address the issue of security and violence which has been raised, only to point out that in the course oflast year - one full year - there were only two politically related violent incidents. Neither ofthem caused any deaths. This is only to put the issue in context, since some delegations raised with certain concern the issue of political violence. This is the clarification. There were two politically related violent incidents in the course of twelve months, neither of which caused any deaths. In balance, the situation is largely very peaceful.”
2001-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4265Resumption1 (2001) · source
“Mr. Ramos-Horta: Thank you, Mr. President, for giving me the opportunity to essentially say many, many thanks to you, first, for inviting us to share in the deliberations of the Council today, and to thank all Council members for their very kind words addressed to me, and in particular to thank them all for their continuing active engagement with the ongoing process of Timorization, capacity-building and security in East Timor. I would like to use this opportunity to answer only one question that has been raised consistently by a number of speakers. Sergio Vieira de Mello will speak for all of us on all other questions in his capacity as Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head ofthe United Nations in East Timor.”
2001-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4265Resumption1 (2001) · source
“It will enable our forces to ready themselves to take on our nation's security. With the continued support and active engagement of the United Nations, we will pass these tests and reach the light at the end ofthe tunnel. Mr. President and members of the Council, we hope that you all will honour us in Dili on our Independence Day.”
2001-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4265 (2001) · source
“Thank you to all the agencies, those who spoke and those who are not present today. We are deeply grateful to the international community - to all of you sitting around this table and throughout the United Nations community - for your support for the reconstruction and development activities in East Timor. We have had to rebuild our country from its ashes. While we have made advances under UNTAET, we have further to go. Therefore, we once again ask the United Nations to sustain its partnership with the people of East Timor, so that our nation can pursue the development of its full economic, political and civic capacity. But in order to do this, we need your continued support, so that we can operate in a secure and stable environment. This can be provided only through maintaining a peacekeeping presence after the transition period.”
2001-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4265 (2001) · source
“As these institutions are the underpinnings of all strong democratic nations, we need to strengthen them in East Timor through targeted capacity-building. We have heard the offers of the IMF and our friends from UNDP and other agencies, and of the World Bank, with whom we have had excellent cooperation and a personal relationship over the past few months in a really unique partnership that has been very beneficial to East Timor. Once again, I want to extend thanks to all - to Mr. Mark Malloch Brown, to Mr. James Wolfensohn and to Mr. Luis Valdivieso, our friend. As you know, the IMF is not terribly popular in many countries, but in spite of what Mr. Valdivieso represents, he has managed to charm everybody in East Timor - and this despite some of the austerity advice he is constantly giving us. We love him in spite of what he represents.”
2001-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4265 (2001) · source
“We should leave the decision on a date for follow-up elections, including presidential elections and a declaration of independence, to this electoral body. We hope that a new Government, a provisional Government, reflecting the election results for the Constituent Assembly, will be established. We are aware that peace, although a reality in East Timor, is still fragile. We are all equally responsible for its consolidation; it is not only the responsibility of the peacekeeping force or of the international community. We, the East Timorese, are aware that we are all equally responsible for consolidating peace in order to ensure a smooth transition to independence. I would like to conclude by saying that we are moving forward towards establishing the basic framework of government and civic institutions in a transition period.”
2001-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4265 (2001) · source
“Therefore we all - those participating in the political process in East Timor-have reached a preliminary agreement that the Constituent Assembly should have two to three months maximum to deal with the draft constitution, which it will have before it as it begins its work. We also believe-and this is a majority opinion-that the Constituent Assembly, once it has completed its main task of drafting and adopting a constitution - will convert itself into the first national Legislative Assembly. There have been precedents in many countries wherein the constituent assembly becomes the first legislative assembly, thus saving the country and the people from having to hold two or three elections in one year.”
2001-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4265 (2001) · source
“Initially we had thought they would be in June, but we were advised by many of our friends - experts from the United Nations - that June would be too soon. Preliminary discussions have made us conscious of time constraints, and we are beginning to consider deferring the elections until the end of August, maybe to coincide with the second anniversary ofthe popular ballot. The Assembly, which will have plenary powers, would have two to three months to prepare, debate and vote on the Constitution. We are also conscious - and that is the consensus in the leadership - that the Constituent Assembly should not repeat the mistakes made by some countries, dragging on for months and sometimes a year or two, or three.”
2001-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4265 (2001) · source
“These commitments are in regard to our foreign relations and to foreign investments that are already in the country or that will be coming into the country in the next few months before independence. Whatever the outcome of the elections, the national pact is important in that it permits everyone to participate in the political process through a number of solemn commitments with respect to human rights, democratic principles, foreign relations, reconciliation and foreign investments. The national pact will be signed by all and will be followed by a constitutional conference that will debate and prepare the first draft of a constitution. Elections for a Constituent Assembly could take place at the end of August.”
2001-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4265 (2001) · source
“We hope that by next month a national pact will have been signed by all parties. Let me elaborate a bit on the contents of the national pact as we have discussed them among ourselves. The national pact will comprise not only important elements such as our commitment to non- violence and to the acceptance of majority rule, but also a strong commitment to human rights and to signing, upon independence, some of the most important human rights instruments. It will also contain some important constitutional elements. This is important in order to send a message to the East Timorese society at large and to the international community that no matter which party wins the elections in the course of this year, there are fundamental principles to which every party is committed, and there will be no change.”
2001-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4265 (2001) · source
“A broad cross-section of society- political parties, church officials and non-governmental organizations - all have attended, and participated in, the hearings held by the National Council. Throughout these discussions, a common theme persisted: everyone was committed to non-violence and to adherence to democratic ideals and the rule oflaw. There are a number of decisions that must be taken to reach the goal of independence, such as, what type of democratic bodies should there be? What electoral system should we adopt? Answers to these preliminary questions will lead to the first elections in East Timor and will soon be provided by the Cabinet and the National Council after the current political debates. However, some important elements have already converged into a consensus, as Mr. Sergio Vieira de Mello has articulated.”
2001-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4265 (2001) · source
“In the course of the past year, President Xanana Gusmao and I visited almost all ASEAN member countries. We attended the ASEAN ministerial meeting with the Special Representative. We visited Japan, China, the Republic of Korea, Australia and New Zealand. In March, I will be leading another mission to Japan. Beyond our immediate region, we hope that in the course of this year we will start developing relations with other countries of Asia. We also have a visit planned to some Arab and Muslim countries. Mr. Sergio Vieira de Mello has already elaborated in detail the political calendar. However, I will share with the Council some thoughts that reflect the discussions held in the National Council and my own discussions with many of my colleagues in the East Timorese leadership.”
2001-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4265 (2001) · source
“The Indonesian authorities must continue their efforts to dismantle those gangs completely. We urge the United Nations to dispatch to Indonesia, as soon as possible, a team of security experts to assess the security conditions in West Timor. The continuing presence of tens of thousands of displaced persons in West Timor and of armed gangs in the refugee camps are detrimental to Indonesia's own interests. Hence we believe the Indonesian authorities are serious in wanting to resolve this remaining problem. We are grateful to Indonesia for supporting East Timor's eventual membership in the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN). Our gratitude is extended to all the leaders in ASEAN who have expressed their support to us in different ways.”
2001-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4265 (2001) · source
“We are conscious that this is going to be a long process, and those who share in this dream are aware that formidable obstacles are in the way. However, our friends in Indonesia know that we must dare to dream, for even the most impossible dreams can be realized. The plight of our people, many of whom are being held in squalid camps in West Timor against their will, remains an obstacle to the betterment of relations between Indonesia and East Timor. However, in all fairness, we must commend the Indonesian authorities for the efforts they have made in recent months to curtail the activities ofthe armed gangs. The security situation in West Timor has improved, even though we are still concerned at the pervasive presence of armed gangs in the refugee camps.”
2001-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4265 (2001) · source
“The next Arafura Games, in which East Timor will participate this year for the first time ever-as we did in the Sydney Olympics, though, I must admit, without much success - will be an opportunity for us to pursue this process of fostering peace on the whole island. There is resentment against the East Timorese refugees in West Timor because of the international assistance targeted to the East Timorese. We must follow up on the idea, discussed by President Wahid, Prime Minister Antonio Guterres of Portugal and Foreign Minister Alexander Downer of Australia during the Millennium Summit, of a consortium of countries to help West Timor develop its economy. Such an initiative, if realized, would go a long way towards creating the conditions for a lasting peace and stability on the island.”
2001-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4265 (2001) · source
“I should like also to refer to our particular relationship with the Indonesian province of Nusa Tengara Timur. Our relations with the central Government in Jakarta will determine our special relationship with our neighbour to the West-Nusa Tengara Timur. We shall endeavour to normalize relations with that Indonesian province, with which we share a common and porous border. A relationship of trust between Dili and Jakarta will enable the realization of our dream of ridding the two sides of weapons and of opening the border, allowing for the free movement of people and trade, sports and cultural exchange. We are already inviting sports and cultural groups from West Timor to visit us in East Timor.”
2001-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4265 (2001) · source
“In times of crisis and transition, nations need moral and compassionate leaders. This is what happened in India with Mahatma Ghandi, South Africa with Mandela and South Korea with Kim Dae-jung, to mentionjust a few cases. Friends of Indonesia must redouble their efforts in assisting Indonesia and its leader President Abdurrahman Wahid in continuing the progress made so far in advancing reforms and democracy. At the conclusion of my Visit to Jakarta, at the press conference, as someone who was very much behind the sanctions movement, I also called on those countries that still maintain sanctions against Indonesia to lift them, whatever they may be, particularly in respect of non-lethal equipment, as a concrete way of sending a goodwill message to the Government of President Wahid.”
2001-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4265 (2001) · source
“We warmly welcome such an offer, as it comes from a close neighbour and a distant one, both of them major regional powers with which we share a common history. We are aware of the situation in many parts of Indonesia, the painful transition from a recent past of abuse and repression to democracy and the rule of law. It is only to be expected that conflicting interests and deeply entrenched classes and groups, including centrifugal forces, would collide in a country as ethnically, culturally and geographically diverse as Indonesia, particularly as it emerges from decades of a military-dominated regime. We can only express our sympathy and solidarity to that proud nation. The Indonesian people are fortunate in having an outstanding, moral man as their President.”
2001-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4265 (2001) · source
“This was our first official trip to Indonesia as cabinet members of the East Timor Transitional Administration. We were warmly received by our hosts. We had cordial talks with President Abdurrahman Wahid, Foreign Minister Alwi Shihab, Minister for Political, Social and Security Coordination Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, the Minister of Settlements and Regional Infrastucture, Attorney-General Marzuki Darusman, Speaker of Parliament The Honourable Akbar Tandjung and other prominent members of Parliament. President Wahid briefed us on his recent discussions with President Fernando Henrique Cardoso on a joint Brazil-Indonesia partnership to assist East Timor in some specific areas, such as health.”
2001-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4265 (2001) · source
“However, those involved in, and who are accused of, serious crimes must face justice. After all, there cannot be sustainable peace without justice. In this regard, we commend Indonesia's Attorney-General, Mr. Marzuki Darusman, for his courage and integrity in attempting to bring to justice in Indonesia those involved in fomenting, instigating, planning and carrying out violence in East Timor. For the sake of justice for the victims, for the good name of the Republic of Indonesia and for the sake of the universal struggle against impunity, we must see to it that justice is served, regardless of the power and wealth ofthe culprits. We are committed to continuing the process of healing and normalization of relations with our neighbour. My cabinet colleague Mr. Mari Alkatiri and I have just visited Jakarta prior to my arrival in New York.”
2001-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4265 (2001) · source
“We are grateful to the Security Council for authorizing UNTAET to undertake this additional task. Because our de facto President of East Timor has already addressed this issue, I will not elaborate further. I would only like to add that a defence force is only one way to guarantee our national security. We must continue to reach out to our neighbours and forge regional partnerships. Among our own people there are still a few elements that continue to refuse to accept the results of the popular consultation. I am speaking about the militias that remain active along our border and continue to terrorize the refugees in the camps in West Timor. However, in keeping with what the President of the General Assembly said, we will spare no effort in engaging the so-called pro-autonomy faction in dialogue.”
2001-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4265 (2001) · source
“For instance, the Portuguese Rapid Reaction Unit has earned the respect of all East Timorese for its exceptional professionalism. It is a model to be expanded and followed in other peacekeeping missions. We are cognizant of the fact that there will be a reduction in the current strength of the peacekeeping force after independence. But we are also encouraged by the assurances offered by several peacekeeping troop-contributing countries that they are prepared to remain actively engaged in East Timor for as long as necessary. A premature withdrawal of United Nations forces from East Timor would destabilize and derail the process. But we are conscious that the international community cannot shoulder indefinitely the responsibility for East Timor's external security; hence, we have decided to create the East Timor Defence Force.”
2001-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4265 (2001) · source
“Even though the East Timorese remain one of the most destitute people in the world, the rate of criminality among them remains one of the lowest. Political violence among emerging political groups has not erupted in the way that many people feared. This relative peace is partly credited to the maturity and sense of responsibility of the political parties. In the area of law and order, there is room for improvement in the performance of the civilian police component (CIVPOL). It could be reorganized along the lines of nationality, in the same manner as the peacekeeping force. We believe that CIVPOL could be more effective if the elements of a given nationality were to be assigned designated tasks and/or areas instead of mixing different cultures, forms of professional training and security doctrines.”
2001-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4265 (2001) · source
“The Jordanian battalion based in the sensitive Oecussi enclave has also performed efficiently through a combination of wise diplomacy and conventional military posture. Sadly, as members know, last year Timorese grieved alongside our international friends over the senseless deaths of peacekeepers and humanitarian workers in East and West Timor. We will always remember these brave soldiers and the humanitarian workers who paid the ultimate price for helping our people. We are deeply grateful to the peackeeping force for its work to ensure peace and stability in East Timor. The peacekeeping force has been the most successful pillar of UNTAET, and all units deserve much credit, including those from Bangladesh, which perform a vital role in keeping the roads and bridges usable during our merciless rainy season.”
2001-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4265 (2001) · source
“This type of peacekeeping operation is new for the United Nations and it is new for the Timorese. The East Timor Transitional Administration must be given the means and real authority to ensure that the institutional structures created can continue to function properly and effectively after independence. I will now turn to the security situation. Overall, East Timor is enjoying a period of increased stability, with the militia threat largely dormant. But we cannot become complacent. The Portuguese, Australian and New Zealand battalions stationed in the two most critical operational sectors have performed extremely well and thus are instilling confidence and tranquillity among the population.”
2001-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4265 (2001) · source
“Timorization, as we understand it, will not be achieved by continuing to have four to six internationals doing the job. We acknowledge the valuable work performed by some dedicated international staff, but we ask that the recruitment process for East Timor be immediately reinforced and given all the necessary tools to accomplish this crucial task. Overall, power-sharing between UNTAET and the East Timorese has worked fairly well, though there have been some growing pains along the way. The structural and administrative ambiguity between the East Timor Transitional Administration and UNTAET must be resolved. We are working on these issues, and I believe we must stay the course. We do not believe that it would be in anyone's interest to suddenly disengage and not take advantage of the gains made by UNTAET.”
2001-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4265 (2001) · source
“There are nearly 7,000 East Timorese working as civil servants throughout the country in a wide range of areas, including police, education, health, border and customs services and in varying degrees of responsibility. But it is not sufficient to delegate the responsibility; it is essential to provide our people with the necessary tools to accomplish their task. As my colleague Ana Pessoa Pinto, Cabinet member in charge of internal administration, noted at the donors' conference in Brussels in December, the tasks of preparing administrative cadres, strengthening local capacity and developing human resources remain priorities and require special attention. Our View is that emphasis must be placed on recruiting as many East Timorese as possible, but it is equally important to empower them in key positions.”
2001-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4265 (2001) · source
“In 2000, the economy registered a real growth of 15 per cent, though we are conscious of its fragility. More than 1,800 businesses have been registered and about 80 per cent are East Timorese-owned. The negotiations on the Timor Sea have been conducted in a very friendly atmosphere and have progressed. We are optimistic about reaching an agreement in the near future. We hope that oil and gas revenue will soon flow into East Timor. UNTAET has accelerated the participation of East Timorese in the executive, quasi-legislative and judicial branches of the transitional government with the establishment of the East Timor Transitional Administration. Our compatriots are gradually shouldering the responsibilities that come with self- determination.”
2001-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4265 (2001) · source
“While many international staff members have lived up to our expectations and illusions, displaying genuine commitment, integrity and professionalism, the recruitment of civilian personnel could have been more careful and the assignments better planned. Much waste could have been avoided, but we understand that time constraints and pressure did not leave enough room for those in charge of recruitment to be more selective. This situation has been rectified and the recruitment process has now been moved to Dili. Much progress has been made on many fronts. Schools have reopened. Hundreds of thousands of brand new books provided by Portugal are in the hands of children. Hospitals and clinics are functioning. Thousands of children have been immunized. Tuberculosis, a scourge that eats away at so many in East Timor, is being confronted.”
2001-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4265 (2001) · source
“Not one single public service was functioning; not one modest eating place or kiosk was operating. In September 1999, East Timor was at the year zero. One year later, as we travel around the country visiting towns, villages and the poor bairros of Dili and conversing with many thousands of my brave compatriots, humble, poor and dignified, we repeat to ourselves time and again: "What an extraordinary people. They deserve more. They deserve better". But we keep telling them: "God has given us the greatest gift of all. He delivered us a miracle. He gave us our freedom. We triumphed against all odds, but He will not make any more miracles. We must be patient; it has been only one year since we gained our freedom. We cannot do more". And our brave people have been understanding, patient.”
2001-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4265 (2001) · source
“Landing in East Timor in December 1999 was an extraordinarily mixed emotional experience ofjoy and pain: joy in celebrating the greatest gifts of all, peace and freedom; and pain at so much senseless destruction. The scenes of the destroyed cities and towns reminded me of the black-and-white pictures of Hiroshima, London or Dresden after the Second World War. I visited Bosnia in 1997. The destruction of Bosnia was horrific in scale, and yet the destruction of East Timor was even worse. Not much was left intact. What had not been looted and taken away was vandalised and destroyed. Government services and infrastructures were wiped out; civil servants, schoolteachers, medics, semi-skilled and unskilled workers had fled, taken refuge in the mountains or been made hostage, maimed or killed.”
2001-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4265 (2001) · source
“I thank him and his parents for bringing him here. His mother had to leave her job to work full-time handling his schedule. We have come a long way since that fateful day of7 December 1975. A quarter of a century has passed; the world has changed beyond recognition; myths have exploded and empires have come tumbling down; freedom and democracy have expanded; and East Timor is free and now resurrecting itself from the ashes of war. It has been a little over a year since East Timor was liberated and UNTAET was established. To illustrate the progress we have made so far, allow me to share some thoughts. I arrived back in East Timor on 1 December 1999, for the first time after 24 years in exile.”
2001-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4265 (2001) · source
“I most sincerely regret that I have missed here by only a few days our good friend, Ambassador Richard Holbrooke. He was a true friend of East Timor and of the United Nations. His intellectual brilliance, energy and dynamic leadership will be missed. We look forward to a close and fruitful collaboration with the new United States representative to the United Nations, whoever it may be. Before I continue, allow me to introduce someone sitting in the gallery. His name his Greg Smith. He is only 11 years old. He is already in his second year of university, which I really envy. He began his work for peace when he was seven, when he established his first non-governmental organization. Right now, he is extremely busy mobilizing resources for East Timor - textbooks, medical supplies and vitamins 7 both in the United States and in Australia.”
2001-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4265 (2001) · source
“When he referred in his speech to the energetic, robust discussions in the Cabinet and the National Council, I know he was being very diplomatic and using British understatement. He was very polite to us. This being the first time I have addressed this Council since the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) was established, allow me to extend to you, Sir, your Government, your country and all members of the Security Council, past and present, our most heartfelt appreciation for the dedication, compassion and firm determination shown by all in the worst period of our recent past. It was their collective compassion and sense of responsibility that compelled the Council to act in a swift manner, thus bringing to an end the extraordinary injustice and suffering visited upon our people.”
2001-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4265 (2001) · source
“We thank the Secretary-General for everything he has done for East Timor since he took office in 1997. I remember that he promised at that time that, during his term in office, he would see the conflict in East Timor resolved. He kept his promise. We take note of and commend his report to the Security Council. In 1999, he appointed one of his most competent and trusted international civil servants as his Special Representative. We thank him for having loaned Sergio Vieira de Mello to us and commend Sergio for his commitment, patience, hard work and, most of all, for his friendship. Some have remarked that Sergio Vieira de Mello has aged much since he took up his latest challenge. He is only a couple of years older than me, but I have to admit he looks much, much older and I apologize to him for having caused him this early ageing.”
2001-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4265 (2001) · source
“Mr. Ramos-Horta: I would like to join all others in expressing my most sincere condolences to the Governments and peoples ofIndia and Pakistan. At the outset, allow me to extend to everyone the warmest greetings of President Xanana Gusmao, who apologizes for not being here today in person. I am conscious that I am a poor substitute for him and beg the Council's indulgence. I thank you, Sir, for giving me the opportunity to address the Council today. I am honoured to do so as a Cabinet member for foreign affairs of the East Timor Transitional Administration and to speak on behalf of all my Cabinet colleagues in East Timor. I would like to take a moment to commend the Secretary-General for his leadership, compassion and staunch commitment to East Timor. Without him and his leadership, we would not be here today.”
2001-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4265 (2001) · source