By Ekipa Radio Rakambia
The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, signed and messsage to National Parlianment TL. 30/08/2024. By Cristiana Belo
At the commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the Timor-Leste Referendum, which took place on August 30, 2024, at the Dili Municipal Stadium, Timor-Leste, the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, expressed his deep emotions and recognition for the crucial role that the Timorese people played in the fight for independence. In his speech, he highlighted that Timor-Leste’s freedom was achieved thanks to the heroic resistance that endured difficult circumstances over the decades.
“To express the deep emotions I feel in participating in the 25th anniversary of the glorious day in which the people of Timor-Leste voted to guarantee the country’s independence, and that this was only possible thanks to the heroic resistance of Timor-Leste, which resisted for decades amid the most difficult circumstances. September 25th was only possible because the Timorese resistance never gave up. I cannot forget that, in many of the works in which, as Prime Minister of Portugal, I sought to convince so many, it was necessary to guarantee international law and respect the self-determination of the people of Timor-Leste”, expressed António Guterres.
“And here I want to pay tribute to the courage of President Habibie, of Indonesia, in accepting an agreement that provided for a popular consultation on the self-determination of the people of Timor-Leste. And in the agreement, tonight for Portugal was night, here it was day, on that unforgettable night of September 25th, when we were informed and mentioned more and more after the news that the people were coming in thousands from the six hundred mountains to vote and shout for independence of Timor-Leste. They were unforgettable moments, moments of joy and emotion that, unfortunately, were followed by weeks of enormous concern and anguish with the terrible violence that hit Timor-Leste and with the risk of the massacre of the Timorese people, all the fighters drawing the attention of the international community that an intervention that would guarantee that the will of the Timorese people would be respected and that Timor-Leste would become an independent country was absolutely essential. Here I want to express my deep admiration for the fact that Timor-Leste has become an exemplary democratic country, with deep respect for human rights and as an extremely credible partner of the international community. The member countries of the community of Portuguese-speaking Countries and the United Nations have permanent action in defense of the most important values of international society, in defense of the Charter of the United Nations and in ensuring that human rights are respected, and this admirable country that Today we celebrate here.” He stated.
“But the country faces great challenges. It is a country that needs to guarantee its citizens food security, quality education, quality healthcare and many other things for which, unfortunately, international solidarity has not been enough. Here I want to appeal to the determination of the government of Timor-Leste and to guarantee the discussion of these objectives. I also want to appeal for strong international solidarity to support Timor-Leste in the battle for independence, in the battle for democracy, so that it can also win the battle for development. I am particularly proud of the fact that, as Secretary-General of the United Nations, I saw the United Nations organize a referendum and always fight alongside the Timorese people to consolidate democracy. With some of its members, all Timorese are willing to lose their lives for the independence of Timor, and I am deeply grateful to all those who, under the banner of the United Nations, collaborated in this admirable work and in the construction of this new free and independent Timor. I want to ensure that the United Nations remains in solidarity with the Timorese people and that, in the battle of development, they can count on us, they can count on our struggle and solidarity, with our struggle in support of their development strategy”, said António Guterres.
The moving ceremony was attended by dignitaries, representatives from various countries and members of the Timorese community, who came together to celebrate the resilience and determination of the people of Timor-Leste. The day’s events included cultural presentations, tributes to the heroes of the struggle for independence and a renewed call for peace and progress, highlighting the importance of a promising future for the nation.
António Guterres reinforced the United Nations’ commitment to supporting Timor-Leste in the continuous efforts to overcome the challenges the country faces, highlighting the importance of working together to ensure that the achievements of independence translate into tangible improvements in the lives of the Timorese. The Secretary-General invited everyone present to join forces in favor of a stronger and more resilient Timor-Leste, celebrating not only the past, but also the future that rises before the nation.
The Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, Kai Rala Xanana Gusmão. 30/08/2024. By Arcancia Monis
Together with the People, His Excellency the Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, Kai Rala Xanana Gusmão celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Polular consultation on August 30, 1999, at the Dili Municipal Stadium on Friday (August 30, 2024.)
The commemoration of the Day of Popular Consultation is to remind the Timorese people of the struggle of the Timorese people in the past, to determine independence, to remember the sacrifices of the heroic youth, their blood and bones that were shed in The whole of Timor.
In his speech to commemorate the Popular Consultation, His Excellency the Prime Minister, Sr. Kai Rala Xanana Gusmão advised the youth of Timor-Leste to take advantage of studying to prepare themselves, prepare their mentality to improve this country in the future.
His Excellency the Prime Minister, Mr. Kai Rala Xanana Gusmão said “To the uncles, aunts, fathers, mothers, grandparents, who for twenty-four (24) years, are holding the dream of their ancestors for this country to gain independence, they died without asking for anything, died with the thought that with their suffering, their bones scattered throughout Timor, the country can be independent and the people can live well, so our Government, especially to our youth, now is the time to take advantage of studying to become wise, gain capacity because this land will be handed over to you, young people we together, with groups, continue to go, continue to help, more especially you young people, cultivate your mentality, cultivate your behavior, become entrepreneurial for yourself, see this country, because we get with blood, because cultivate your behavior, become entrepreneurial for yourself, see this country , because we are obtained by blood, by sacrifice, by bones.”
In addition, PM Xanana said, the people themselves determine independence, the people go to vote, although the people are not prepared but the heroic youth managed to organize the whole people to fight for this referendum.
“The whole people of Timor-Leste, everywhere, we celebrate this great day together, the people are fighting, the people are standing, but do not forget that, to prepare for the referendum, Joao Lusiza, Luiso Monteiro and friends others, travel around Timor, to organize and inform the people. The people failed to prepare themselves, the people are determined to rule themselves, the dream of their ancestors, we know, but the organization plaedestina, young people do not prepare themselves with heart, do not participate wisely, so we must also prestasimonase to These heroic youth, you are the ones who organize the whole people, the people are brave, the people are the ones who vote.” said Xanana.
Timor-Leste needs to wait sixteen (16) years, to get the support of the international community to talk to Portugal and Indonesia about the problem of Timor, because Timor will not be able to defeat its enemies with weapons.
“We have been waiting for sixteen (16) years for the International Community, the Community of Zoned Nations to talk to Portugal and Indonesia to find a way to solve the problem in Timor, we know that we cannot repel the enemy with weapons, we do not receive a bullet from abroad, that’s why in 1993 we presented a proposal for a social solution to the Indonesian Government to ask for a referendum, this is what we now call resilience, determination, courage to still receive various sacrifices, from the Palestinian resistance, from the youth, many also died, but some died, another said I must continue our work, this is a determination that our entire people carry out you are.” Said the Prime Minister.
Meanwhile, His Excellency the Prime Minister said, the Timorese people must know how to thank the organizations of the Solidarity Movement that gave support and courage to Timor to become independent.
“Every year we are losing votes in the zoned countries, so we must also pay tribute to Kovianan, when he entered into a great commitment to resolve the case of Timor-Leste, we must not forget that, if we do not receive ammunition one from outside, moral political support comes from the people, the International Solidarity Movement makes that, we can believe, while governments are silent, some sell weapons to Indonesia to kill us, people from other countries stand up to support this struggle, for this justice, therefore as a people must be grateful to the Solidarity Movement Organizations in many countries that continue to give courage.” Xanana said.
Xanana said “Today we celebrate twenty-two (22) years as a country that holds its destiny, the State has not committed to the whole law, because our presence for independence is not just getting the flag it, get international, get a President, get a Parliament, Government and justice, No, our presence after those who died to rule, so that the people can live well, for all of us to put interest in this people ‘e’s with this country for the first time, otherwise, as now we go up to the rural area, the old people who krekas with mama malus say you have independence, we will be in integration, hunger , sickness, homelessness, misery .”
Youth must prepare themselves, must have knowledge, and mentality so that they can serve with all their hearts, serve the people and the Timorese nation, because the people are the owners of independence.
“Therefore, we must believe in our mentality from now on, because our State is still weak, weak that our institutions are not good, do not have the strength, to serve this country and serve the people this, but we are lucky, our state is not like other places, so ask the youth to prepare themselves, have knowledge, have character, have mentality, prepare themselves thinking that, work may not think of ‘it an with friends, serve this country, serve this people because the people are the owners of independence.” Said the Prime Minister.
The President of the National Parliament, Sra. Fernanda Lai. 30/08/2024
On this occasion, the President of the National Parliament, Sra. Fernanda Lai congratulated Timor-Leste for becoming a country that promotes, and our democracy is better than other countries.
President of the National Parliament Ms. Fernanda Lai said “Timor-Leste became a country that promotes, because we and Indonesia we have good relations, then democracy in Timor-Leste is not worse compared to other countries, because this is our conflict, disagreement if normal .”
The strongest and most positive message to the Timorese people from the President of Parliament is that. Timor-Leste can join together to vote for independence and we benefit the UN by speaking in public.
Ms. Fernanda Lai added .“The positive message is that, we managed in 1999, we voted together for our independence, secondly we can also discuss together about – things of disagreement, in democracy we always put to resolve our solutions, and Timor- One of East’s successes is to benefit the UN by speaking in public, while in the current situation of war where UN security is not functioning, Timor-Leste not only owes the Jewish nation but The Jewish nation also owes Timor, with the success we see in the current situation.”
The struggle of women in the past is that now many women can get positions in important benches of the National Parliament of Timor-Leste. “The role of women says that the struggle of women before this is the solution I became the first president in Timor-Leste, in his speech he said the struggle will be long, but congratulations because at the state table most women get many seats on the bench matters.”
While Mrs. Fernanda said, Timor-Leste’s struggle is not easy, so although we work with the domestic sector but can be recognized in the world.
“The struggle for Timor-Leste is not easy but because we are together to vote, that is why today a woman has said that I may die but I have handed over the country to my children, this is what we say, we need to work with the sector in the country but can be recognized in the world, because this issue is related to many parts that we take part in, related to the FDTL, the police that peaceful establishment, we take part in many places that can be an example to the world. ” Fernanda concluded.
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