Job: Vacancy for Manager – East Timor Roofing, Baucau (in English and Tetum)

Vacancy for Manager – East Timor Roofing, Baucau

 

EAST TIMOR ROOFING is a well established steel manufacturing and training organization, located in BAUCAU and supported by ROTARY.

 

East Timor Roofing requires a capable person to be trained to become the manager of East Timor Roofing.

 

The successful applicant will ideally have:-

the ability to communicate well in Tetum, English and Portuguese

basic computer skills

enthusiasm to learn business procedures in a manufacturing environment

the ability to lead and manage a team of experienced `East Timorese employees

some past experience in the building industry – particularly estimating and quoting

some experience in operating machinery.

East Timorese are particularly encouraged to apply.

Applications with supporting references should be sent by email or delivered to Mr. Norm Bruce no later than close of business 04 April 2008:

Mr. Norman Bruce Production Manager/Trainer East Timor Roofing, Vila Nova, BAUCAU <etroofingcoop@mail.timortelecom.tp>

 

 

 

East Timor Roofing katak projetu Rotary ho ema Timor oan hetan rendementu hotu

 

Vagas ba Pozisaun Manager iha East Timor Roofing, Baucau

 

EAST TIMOR ROOFING estabelese iha area industria ka fabrika kalen no iha organisasaun treinamento, hela fatin iha BAUCAU hetan suporta husi ROTARY.

 

East Timor Roofing precisa ema ida nebe iha kapasidade atu aprende nune’e bele sai manager ba East Timor Roofing.

 

Kandidato nebe kualifikado no idealmente precisa iha:

kapasidade diak atu koalia iha lingua Tetum,English,no Portuguese

kapasidade usa computador basiko.

iha Hakarak atu aprende proseduras iha area fabrika nia ka industria

iha kapasidade atu lidera no manega grupos no experiencia ona ho staff Timor oan.

iha ona experiencia uluk iha area industria ka fabrica – partikularmente halo kalkulasaun no kontasauun.

iha experiencia balu atu halo Servisu operasaun ba machine.

Partikularmente iha vantagem ba Timor oan sira nebe Hakarak hatama nia aplikasaun. Precisa suporta referencia iha surat aplikasaun, no sei haruka liu husi email ka lori ba Mr. Norm Bruce no oficialmente sei taka iha dia 04 April 2008:

Mr. Norman Bruce Manager Produsaun/Treinador East Timor Roofing, Vila Nova, BAUCAU <etroofingcoop@mail.timortelecom.tp>

 

 

 

Glenda Lasslett Country Manager – Timor-Leste Australian Volunteers International

 

 

Timor urged to get tough on offenders

The Age

Timor urged to get tough on offenders

Lindsay Murdoch, Darwin

March 31, 2008

NON-GOVERNMENT organisations have called on the East Timorese
Government to end a cycle of impunity for the perpetrators of
violence, including those committing political crimes.

The East Timor NGO Forum, which represents 170 organisations in Dili,
urged countries that send aid to the country to push for
accountability for past crimes, including those committed during the
25 years of Indonesia’s occupation.

Most offences committed since the violent upheaval in 2006 remain
unsolved and “not one convicted person is in a legally recognised
prison facility”, the forum said in a statement delivered at a
foreign donor’s conference held at East Timor’s Foreign Ministry.

Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao told the conference that 600 soldiers
whose actions prompted the 2006 violence would not face prosecution.
He said the state was “not exempt from responsibility” for failing to
acknowledge the men’s aspirations.

The soldiers, who are living together in a Dili camp, would be
offered money or return to the army, Mr Gusmao said.

The soldiers were led by Gastao Salsinha, the former army lieutenant
who led last month’s attack on Mr Gusmao and is still on the run in
East Timor’s central mountains. At least eight of his men who have
surrendered since the attacks have been welcomed by leaders in Dili,
including Mr Gusmao, and have still not been jailed.

The NGO Forum said in its statement that “many people observe that
those who commit political crimes go free even though they were
recommended for prosecution by independent commissions”.

The Age reported last month that East Timor’s President Jose Ramos
Horta had promised to push for an amnesty for rebel leader Alfredo
Reinado before he was killed while leading an attack on the President’s home.

The NGO Forum also criticised the Government’s decision to extend
until April 22 a state of siege, which includes curfews and limits on assembly.

Meanwhile, the commission investigating violence that erupted during
East Timor’s independence vote in 1999 is ready to submit its
findings after several delays caused by disagreements among commissioners.

The Indonesia-East Timor Commission of Truth and Friendship has no
prosecution powers and can recommend amnesties for those who
testified before it. It has been boycotted by the United Nations,
which says those guilty of human rights violence should face justice.

Documents from TL Development Partners Meeting on line

In response to several requests, La’o Hamutuk has
set up a web page with links to many documents
from the TL Government, donors, NGOs and others
in relation to the just-concluded 2008
Timor-Leste Development Partners Meeting (TLDPM):

http://www.laohamutuk.org/econ/08TLDPM/08TLDPMindex.htm

So far, the page includes the items listed
below.  If you have additional documents or
information you would like us to include, please
email them to charlie@laohamutuk.org. Thank you.

Documents

Government Background Paper “Working Together to
Build the Foundations for Peace and Stability and
Improve Livelihoods of Timorese Citizens: 2008
National Priorities” (PDF, 23 March 2008)

UN Timor-Leste Transitional Strategy and Appeal
“A Consolidated Plan to Support National Response
to Humanitarian and Recovery Needs of Internally
Displaced People and Vulnerable Communities and
Strengthen Disaster Risk Management in Timor-Leste” (1.8 MB PDF, 24 March 2008)

Speeches

Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão’s speech (28 March 2008)

NGO Statement  (also PDF, 28 March 2008)

Press releases

Interim President Fernando Lasama press release
“Prezidente Republika Interino Hala’o Abertura ba
Reuniaun Entre Governu Timor-Leste ho Parseirus
Dezenvolvimentu” (Tetum PDF, 29 March 2008)

Ministry of Finance press release “TLDPM produces
positive solutions” (PDF, 29 March 2008)

World Bank press release “World Bank Praises 2008 DPM” (27 March 2008)

Australian Embassy press release “Using the DPM
to Align Australia’s Development Assistance to Timor-Leste” (28 March 2008)

UNMIT press release “A Humanitarian and Recovery
Appeal Launched in Timor-Leste” (also Tetum, 28 March 2008)

News Reports

OFFICE OF SECRETARY-GENERAL CONDUCTS DAILY PRESS BRIEFING, MARCH 28

Question: President [Ramos-]Horta of East Timor, now that he’s
recuperating in Australia, has again raised this issue that he
believes that the UN police didn’t come to his aid and obstructed
those who tried to help him. He said it on Australian television. So
the UN at the time said it was looking into it. What has the UN
concluded about its actions on the day of the attack?

Spokesperson: Let me first say that we don’t respond to statements
made by leaders of Timor-Leste, whom we respect greatly. The comments
attributed to President Ramos-Horta are taken seriously and would be
investigated in the context of an internal review exercise of dealing
with the incident. However, we would state also that trilateral
coordination forum that brings together ISF, UN and Timor-Leste,
under the leadership of Timor-Leste, is the mechanism that
coordinates responses in such cases. An immediate meeting of that
triangular coordination forum was held under the chairmanship of the
Prime Minister within a few hours of the attacks, and appropriate
decisions were taken and implemented at that time. That’s all I can
say, really, at this point.

Question: I just have one follow up to that. By saying it’s an
internal review, does that mean that whenever the conclusions are
reached they will be announced publicly?

Spokesperson: It’s going to be an internal review within UNMIT.

Question: Right, but then there’ll be an external result, they’ll
say, here’s what we found, we found that we did the right thing or we
found we didn’t?

Spokesperson: I don’t know at this point, I cannot tell you at this
point. It was to be done in coordination with the Timor-Leste
Government, of course.

Indonesia-Timor truth commission ready to report findings

5 hours ago

DENPASAR, Indonesia (AFP) ­ A commission
investigating an outbreak of deadly violence
during East Timor’s 1999 independence vote from
Indonesia announced Saturday it is ready to submit its findings.

The Indonesia-East Timor Commission of Truth and
Friendship (CTF), set up in 2005, was tasked by
both governments to uncover the truth behind the
violence surrounding East Timor’s overwhelming vote to break from Indonesia.

Indonesian co-chairman of the CTF, Benjamin
Mangkudilaga, said the commission was ready to
submit its report to the heads of state of each
country for submission to their respective parliaments.

East Timorese CTF member Jacinto Alves said the
report would “include conclusive facts on the
cause and nature of human rights violations in
Timor Leste around the referendum in 1999″.

The commission will complete its mandate by March
31. The CTF had twice requested an extension
saying more time was needed to “align perceptions” among the 10 members.

The body was set up in August 2005 and originally
had an extendable work period of one year.

Alves said recommendations included
“rehabilitation aspects for victims and the
people including system reforms so similar
incidents will not happen in the future”.

He added that findings were not directed to
individuals but to institutions involved during
the unrest. He gave no other details.

An estimated 1,400 people were killed when
militias backed by the Indonesian military
rampaged as East Timor’s population voted
overwhelmingly in favour of breaking away from
Indonesia, which invaded in 1975.

The CTF has no prosecution powers. It has been
boycotted by the UN which says those guilty of
human rights violations should face justice.

The commission has heard testimony from scores of
witnesses, including East Timor’s Prime Minister
Xanana Gusmao, Indonesian officials, military,
police and East Timorese who both backed
Indonesia’s rule or were pro-independence

REPÚBLICA DEMOCRÁTICA DE TIMOR-LESTE

2008 – Ano da Reforma

Dili,  29 March
2008

Media Release

Timor- Leste and  Development Partners Meeting produces positive solutions

The Timor-Leste and Development Partners’ Meeting
(TLDPM) officially closed today after some 300
participants including delegates from 51
countries gathered in bilateral meetings with
representatives from the AMP Government.

The conference titled ‘Working Together-To build
the Foundations of Peace and Stability and
Improve Livelihoods of Timorese” was hosted by
the Government to facilitate dialogue between
donors and the new administration while establishing a clear agenda for 2008.

The Minister of Finance, Ms. Emilia Pires said
“These meetings were incredibly successful. The
donors gave their full support to the 2008
National Priorities and to the AMP Government.
Most importantly, we were able to make
significant assessments concerning the mechanisms
needed to produce more efficient results.

‘Considering our aim was harmonization between
the Government and the Development Partners, we
were able to work together through these meetings
to produce real solutions to benefit the nation.”

Six target areas were identified by the AMP
Government as national priorities for 2008
including public safety and security; social
protection and solidarity; the needs of youth;
employment and income generation; social service
improvements; and clean and effective government.

In order to meet quarterly targets, it was
decided stronger mechanisms were needed to
implement, coordinate and monitor progress within
the six key areas.  The AMP Government will
establish six working groups for each target
area, led by the relevant Ministers.

The Donors also agreed to provide additional
technical assistance in capacity building focused
on better coordination mechanisms between the
Government and development partners with a
specific focus on training human resources for long term sustainability.

Pires closed by saying “Our donors are valued
partners in the development of Timor-Leste. They
have fully committed to align their programs
around the priorities of the Government,
demonstrating a high level of trust in our
capacity to deliver. I would like to offer my
sincerest gratitude to all the participants of
the TLDPM for their ongoing support and commitment to Timor-Leste.” ENDS

To receive a copy of the 2008 National Agenda
Matrix, TLDPM Briefing Notes and a Transcript of
the speech by the Minister of Finance, Ms Emilia Pires:

MINISTRY OF SOCIAL SOLIDARITY

PRESS RELEASE

28 March 2008

97 IDP families return home

On 25 March, as part of the government’s Hamutuk
Hari’i Futuru national recovery strategy, 92
families from Canossa Has Laran, 3 families from
Bombeiros, 1 family from Bairro Pite and 1 family
from the CARE Compound camps were assisted to return to their homes.

Since the commencement of the program, a total of
321 IDP families have returned and received
recovery packages under the Hamutuk Hari’i Uma program.

According to Minister for Social Solidarity,
Maria Domingas Alves, “the return of these
families is a result of the Ministry’s ongoing
hard work to help those IDPs who are willing and
able to return home to do so.” Each of the
families who returned today had received a
recovery grant from the Ministry of Social
Solidarity to help them rebuild or repair their
homes. Each person, including children, also
received 16 kg of rice. The families were
assisted to return with transport provided by the
Ministry of Social Solidarity.

Carlos Correia, a resident of Canossa Has Laran
camp, thanked the government for facilitating his
family’s return. “I am not afraid to return
because I trust the government’s
program”.  Another resident of Canossa Has Laran,
Pasquela Sequeira said “we are ready to return,
and we are no longer scared, but we hope the
government will continue to provide us with
security.” To ensure safety upon returns MSS has
requested PNTL and UNPol patrols during the first few nights after return.

It is anticipated that 131 families (708 people)
will move back to Ermera district from Liquica,
Gleno and Central Pharmacy on Saturday.

The next camp to be assisted to return will be
the Hospital Camp. MSS staff have completed
receiving information, and are currently entering
this information into the database. Amandio
Amaral Freitas, General Coordinator of the
Hamutuk Hari’i Futuru program confirmed
“verification of this information will commence
today. It is hoped that some IDPs can commence
returning from the Hospital within two weeks.
Those who are unable to return to their house
from the hospital, and are verified as having
been displaced, will be provided with temporary
housing in the new transitional housing at Becora market.”

As of 25 March, a total of 5,789 families from 15
camps and four suco offices have given detailed
information about their families and their wishes
for resettlement. MSS is aiming to complete the
rest of the registrations by June.

Secretary of State for Social Assistance and
Natural Disasters said “we know that some people
have lost the numbers assigned to them in the
mapping process. At the moment MSS is giving
priority to people that registered with
Levantamento de Dados and still have that
information. Please only respect the forms that
the MSS civil servants are carrying, and that you
fill out in the required location. People who
will be doing the registration will be carrying
MSS ID cards and wearing Hamutuk Hari’i Futuru T-shirts.”

MINISTÉRIO DA SOLIDARIEDADE E SOCIAL
SECRETÁRIA DE ESTADO ASSISTÊNCIA SOCIAL E DEZASTRE NATURAIS
“HAMUTUK HARI’I FUTURU”

Loron 28 fulan Marsu 2008

PRESS RELEASE

97 Familia Deslokados Fila Fali Ba Uma

Iha loron 25 Marsu, nudar parte ida hosi governu nia strategia rekuperasaun
nasional, Hamutuk Harii Futuru, governu ajuda 92 familia hosi kampus Canossa
Has Laran, 3 familia hosi Bombeiros, 2 familia hosi Klinica Bairro Pite ho 1
familia hosi CARE Compound atu fila fali ba sira nia uma.

To’o agora total 321 familia maka fila fali i simu tiha pakote rekuperasaun
tuir programa Hamutuk Hari’i Uma.

Ministra ba Solidaridade Sosial, Maria Domingas Alves, hatete “familia sira
ne’e bele fila fali tamba Ministerio serbisu makaas atu ajuda ema deslokadu
sira ne’ebe hakarak mos iha abilidade atu fila fali ba sira nia uma”.
Familia ida-idak ne’ebe fila fali ba sira nia uma ohin simu tiha ona osan
pakote rekuperasaun hosi Ministerio Solidaridade Sosial atu ajuda sira hari’
i fali ka hadia sira nia uma. Ema hotu ne’ebe sai ne’e mos simu foos 16kg
kada ema. Familia sira hetan ajuda atu fila hosi Ministerio Solidaridade
Sosial.

Carlos Correia, ema deslokadu iha kampu Canossa Has Laran fo obrigada ba
governu atu fasilita nia familia nia fila fali ba sira nia uma. “Hau la tauk
atu fila fali tamba hau fiar governu nia programa”.  Pasquela Sequeira, ema
deslokado iha kampu Canossa Has Laran, hatete “ami pronto atu fila, i ami la
tauk ona, maibe ami hakarak governu atu kontinua tau matan ba ami nia
seguransa.” Atu assegura seguransa depois deslokados sira fila fali ba sira
nia uma, MSS husu PNTL ho UNPol atu halo patroli durante kalan ho loron
hira.

Ami espere katak aban 131 familia (708 pessoas) bele fila fali ba Ermera
hosi Liquica, Gleno, ho Farmacia Central.

Kampu Hospital maka kampu oin ne’ebe ami atu ajuda fila fali. Staff MSS
kompletu tiha ona simu informasaun hosi prensi formulario, i ami agora
daudauk hatama informasaun ba database.  Amandio Amaral Freitas, Koordinator
Geral ba programa Hamutuk Hari’i Futuru konformasi “Ami komesa halo
re-verifikasaun ba informasaun ohin dadeer. Ami espere katak deslokados sira
bele komesa fila fali iha semana rua. Deslokado sira ne’ebe la bele fila
fali ba sira nia uma hosi hospital, i ami verifika katak sira ema deslokado,
sei hetan uma temporario iha uma transitorio iha Mercado Becora.”

To’o 25 Marsu, 5,789 familia hosi 15 kampu ho 4 sede de suco kompletu tiha
prensi formulario.  MSS espere katak bele kompletu prensi formulario to’o
fulan Juni.

Secretária de Estado Assistência Social e Dezastre Naturais hatete “Ami
hatene katak ema balu lakon tiha sira nia numero mapo ho numero uma ka nunka
iha. Agora daudaun MSS fo prioridade ba ema ne’ebe registru iha Levantamento
de Dados i sei iha informasaun ne’e. Favor ida, hakerek deit iha formulario
ne’ebe funcionario MSS maka lori. Ema ne’ebe atu halo registrasaun sei lori
ID, i hatais kaos Hamutuk Hari’i Futuru.”

Goff meets Horta in Darwin

Goff meets Horta in Darwin
Mar 27, 2008 11:20 AM

Defence Minister Phil Goff has met with Timor Leste President Jose
Ramos Horta who is recovering in Darwin from wounds received in the
February 11 assassination attempt.

Goff said Horta’s wounds were severe and although he was in good
spirits it will take some time for him to fully recover.

“We discussed the reasons why the attack may have occurred and the
need for a thorough investigation to ensure all who may have been
involved are held to account,” Goff said.

“We also talked about the current security situation in Timor Leste
and my recent visit there, as well as wider international issues.”

Goff said Horta hopes to return home to Timor within the next month.

“I expressed to Jose on behalf of the Prime Minister and all New
Zealanders our concern about what had happened to him and our best
wishes for a full recovery,” Goff said.
[]

Source: ONE News

TLGOV: XG speech at Development Partners Meet

A humanitarian and recovery appeal launched in Timor-Leste

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF TIMOR-LESTE

 

SPEECH BY
HIS EXCELLENCY THE PRIME MINISTER
KAY RALA XANANA GUSMÃO
ON THE OCCASION OF THE TIMOR-LESTE AND DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS’ MEETING
27-29 MARCH 2008

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
28 March 2008

Excellencies,

Two years have gone by since the last Timor-Leste and Development Partners’ meeting. During this period many events took place and many challenges had to be faced by this young democratic State. Many still are the challenges ahead of us, towards the construction of the bases for Peace and Stability and for improving the living situation of the Timorese.

We started off with the firmness and determination that have always characterized the Timorese people, knowing that by working together, the Government of Timor-Leste and the Development Partners can put the Nation in the irreversible path to development, with the missteps of the past acting as indicators, hard as they may be, of what must undoubtedly be corrected in the future.

This is the first meeting with the development partners after the political crisis of 2006, which shook the foundations of our Democratic State under the Rule of Law and subjected our people to unforeseeable and unfair suffering and anguish. We are still dealing with its painful consequences today, of which the attempts of February 11^th are a dramatic example. These harmonized attacks on the Head of State and the Head of Government of Timor-Leste represented a serious threat against the democratic constitutional order.

At the time, the 2006 crisis also caused disruptions in two vital democratic institutions: the Armed Forces experienced serious problems that led to the departure of almost a third of its personnel, and the National Police collapsed. This demonstrated how frail their foundations were, despite the recurring concerns expressed in meetings with the partners – I recall the first one, held in Japan in 1999, but also others in which I participated – in which the creation of a professional police force and an efficient development model for the Armed Forces was always an issue of concern for the stability of the young democracy of Timor-Leste. These fundamental problems, ever since the reconstruction of the Country, remain current at this time, and continue to deserve a special attention.

Also as a result of the crisis, we currently have thousands of internally displaced persons and about six hundred petitioners, whose resolution can be delayed no more. We are aware that peace and stability cannot be achieved without returning dignity and justice to these sectors of the population, which deserve the protection from the State and the material and spiritual wellbeing to enjoy the freedom that they gained through so great a sacrifice.

During these last two years, Timor-Leste was once again very much discussed everywhere. A lot has been said and written about our Country, including that we were going to transform into a “failed State” or be held hostages by powerful global, political, military or economic interests. Fortunately there are still many who continue to believe in us, because they know that a People who resisted for more than two decades against all forms of intimidation – from the most brutal subjugation to the most malicious seduction – never gives up!

Still during these difficult times, Timor-Leste carried out successful presidential and legislative elections, with international support. The outcome of these elections opened a new cycle in the political life of the Country. The Timorese elected their representatives in the National Parliament, forming a parliamentary majority that was given a clear mandate to create a stable Government.

Excellencies,

The IV Constitutional Government is a Government of Alliance between several parties (and I am not referring only to the four parties that formally make up the Alliance) willing to make changes and with a reforming political project, supported by a set of principles and values: civic and human rights; tolerance and respect; transparency and good governance; social participation; and compliance with justice and law, in order to mobilize internal and external efforts for improving the living situation of the Timorese people, rescuing it from poverty and instability.

In the next month of May Timor-Leste will be celebrating six years of Sovereignty and Independence. However it will not yet be celebrating the true sense of freedom, because a Country in which about 40% of the population live below the poverty line (with less than 55 cents per day) cannot be considered truly free.

When we speak of poverty, we cannot limit ourselves to income economic indicators. Social and human development is also a poverty indicator, and in this Timor-Leste is well below the ideal values: the illiteracy rate is high; health care does not yet reach the entire population, and there is a high mortality rate associated to malaria, dengue and tuberculosis; maternal and child undernourishment and mortality rates are high; habitations and precarious; basic infrastructures are insufficient – I underline the lack of piped water, sanitation and electric power, communications and transportation – and increase regional asymmetries even more.

Unemployment among the youth is an affliction, especially considering that half the population is less than 18 years old. This suggests that urban unemployment will tend to increase, unless immediate measures are taken for creating employment. Private investment is very small and, together with the lack of conditions for stimulating the private sector, this makes Timor-Leste one of the countries with less capacity to attract foreign investment in the worlds.

Legislative structure remains incomplete and the legal system continues to be fragile. Women continue to have a subordinated position within the Timorese society, and it will be a challenge to improve their status and their participation and representation in all walks of life.

These indicators, allied to the scarceness of qualified human resources, the cultural and social characteristics of our society and, inevitably, the fact the Timor-Leste is a Country in post-conflict situation, making us more vulnerable to internal conflicts, make us progress very slowly in the path towards development.

While I do not want to make little of the progress achieved by the previous Governments, which made decisive and structuring steps towards developing the national economy and in particular towards building the democratic institutions, the Government that I head, upon entering office, vowed to change the status quo and to place Timor-Leste in a more free, more fair and more dignified position, through a new political attitude.

Therefore this Government, within seven months, presented to the National Parliament a reforming five-year Program; a State General Budget for a six-month transition period; a State General Budget for the fiscal year of 2008, which for the first time will correspond to the civil year. Presently we are reviewing the 2008 Budget in order to fix some gaps, caused mostly by deficiencies in terms of data surveying. Some allocated sums turned out to be misadjusted, in a clear example of how it is urgent to improve the professional skills of the civil servants.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The Government’s program reflects the main priorities of the Country, including objectives to be reached in the short, medium and long terms, together with strategies for combating poverty that have already proved successful in other countries, as well as regional and international programs, out of which we can highlight the Millennium Development Goals that we want to achieve in 2015.
For this first year of governance, the Government will be concentrating on four vital aspects in order to transform society thoroughly, removing Timor-Leste from these crossroads where the reduction of poverty is the goal, but in which the obstacles to get there cannot simply be navigated, rather requiring elimination. In my perspective as Head of Government, the providences needed in the short term for ensuring long term sustainable development are the following:

1. Structural and balanced change in the administration of the State, so as to ensure a more efficient and functional Public Administration, supported by anti-corruption mechanisms. A strong, qualified and independent public service is able to handle any government professionally and to give an efficient contribution towards the creation of infrastructures, improve service provision and create mechanisms boosting the economy through the rational use of public resources.

Some more critical minds may question the way in which this strategy is fundamental for transforming society and contributing towards the reduction of poverty. In other words, why should this Government give priority to the reform of the administration of the State, when there are so many other priorities to be considering, leading to more clear and popular outcomes?

Because the institutions are the people! What good is it to have sophisticated buildings, technologically advanced equipment and enough financial resources to invest in the provision of essential services to the population if we do not have qualified, motivated and righteous personnel? When one asks the State, when one asks the Government to take action, to create conditions for reducing poverty, consolidating national stability and security, and achieve social justice, this request is being made to the democratic institutions, which ultimately consist of people.

This Government is aware that this is not an equal fight, since it is not possible to change mentalities and work routines and to move away from a culture of “laissez faire, laissez passer” in a few years, much less in a few months. Nevertheless, the Government headed by me is determined not to yield, striving for a more efficient civil service and implementing reforms that will make a difference in the long term.

During these seven months of governance this executive has already approved the Civil Service Career Regime and reviewed other diplomas, contributing to a more effective, qualified and motivated Public Administration, at the same time that it fights partisan influence in recruitments and promotions, modernizing the system in general.

Throughout this year the Government will also establish the Civil Service Committee, which will advice the Government in matters related with public administration and human resource management. An Anti-Corruption Committee shall also be created, which, along with the independent audits that have been taking place, and the boost to the Office of the Inspector General later this year, will enable the creation of clear and coercive mechanisms for an efficient fight against corruption.

On the other hand, the Ministry of Finance is currently being reformed. This includes the optimization of the management of procurement and the enabling of the decentralization of these services, thereby ensuring the maximization of acquisitions and a good public service. This initiative, together with the development of a new macroeconomic policy, will facilitate transparency, accountability and efficiency in the management of public finance.

2. Ensure the consolidation of National Security and Stability, since without them there is no room for national consensus, or opportunity to promote any economic growth policy, as effective as it may be.

Concerning this, allow me to expand on several of the concerns that have been keeping this executive busy – concerns that I know the international community also shares. We have inherited a package of interrelated problems that have been a heavy destabilizing burden, and which, should they fail to be solved in full, will hardly let us focus on other priorities.

I refer in first place to the issue of the petitioners. The State is not exempt from responsibility here, since it did not acknowledge their aspirations, and therefore contributed to have about 600 Armed Forces personnel becoming part of a problem for the stability of the Country, instead of being part of its solution. The Government is optimistic with the latest progress achieved, with almost all the petitioners being currently stationed in Dili and receptive to dialogue with the Government and other partners of society.

Admitting that this group is not homogenous, that the reasons that led them to subscribe the petitions have several causes, unlike what was initially thought, and that they require responses case by case made us develop a strategy for a thorough collection of data from the petitioners themselves and for presenting them with two options: accepting economic benefits from the State and being reinserted in civil life; or being reinserted in military life, but in this case they must undergo a new recruitment process.

Secondly, the presence of a dissident armed group, which recently challenged the democratic and constitutional order. This group is still a consequence of the 2006 crisis, and looking back we must recognize that at the time the Government failed to consider it a serious threat to the stability of the Country, thereby allowing the group to set up a strong support network.

Learning from this dramatic episode of our recent history, the Government took strong measures, proposing the declaration of martial law to His Excellency the President of the Republic and applying restrictive measures to, on one hand, carry out special measures for preventing the rise of violence by the support groups, and on the other hand to carry out the necessary investigations for capturing those responsible for the attack.

Within this scope, the Council of Ministers approved a Resolution charging the Chief of the Defence Force with the creation of a joint command, integrating PNTL and F-FDTL, so as to carry out security operations resulting from the declaration of martial law. The creation of this Joint Command and the process through which the operation was planned showed that F-FDTL and PNTL, acting in coordination, operate efficiently and with a good response capability. Most elements of the group have meanwhile surrendered to justice, carrying a significant number of weapons, the illegitimate possession of which constituted a serious risk for national stability and security.

If in more controversial times we can extract positive aspects, I must underline here the coming closer of these two institutions, proving that when confronted with common objectives they can operate well and in good articulation. This is a response to the doubts raised in 2006, suggesting that these two forces would never see eye to eye in the pursuing of the objectives for the consolidation of a Democratic State under the Rule of Law.

It was with this purpose that in the structuring of this Government it was defined that the important briefs of defence and security should be under a single Ministry. It is also with this purpose that the reform of the defence and security sectors and the capacity building and professionalization of the F-FDTL and PNTL are not being developed as autonomous and watertight processes, regardless of their specific characteristics and competences attributed by the Constitution. In view of its importance, this process also involves other sovereignty bodies such as the President of the Republic and the National Parliament.

This is the year of reform, this is the opportunity to achieve the goal that we have been seeking for eight years – the establishment of a National Police and Armed Forces with the human and material resources that enable them to solve conflicts and maintain internal security, correcting the training errors especially in PNTL – provided simultaneously by trainers from different countries, with different chains of operation and command – and fundamentally restoring the trust of the Timorese citizens in our police forces and Armed Forces.

Also regarding the consolidation of national stability, it is clear that ensuring the return to their homes of individuals and families living in IDP camps and their reintegration in society is a duty of the State that can be delayed no more. Still, it is necessary to do this in a sensible manner, so as not to fuel new sparks of conflict.

This is one of the problems that this Government inherited from the past, and one that is rather complex, considering its political, social and economic aspects. On one hand it is imperative to put an end to IPD camps, but on the other hand the State must also respect human rights and protect the most vulnerable persons.

Presently it is estimated that 30,000 IDPs live in Dili and about 70,000 in the other districts, within a total of 58 camps. The figures are overwhelming, but the efforts must be even more so. The strategy for resolving this problem has been studied by the Government and its partners – local communities, social society and international agencies – so as to deal with the humanitarian impact and, at the same time, with the pre-existing vulnerabilities at community level.

Within this context a Recovery Strategy was drafted, called “Hamutuk Hari’i Futuru”. This is nothing more than an expanded strategy for handling the various impacts from the 2006 crisis, not just the closing of IDP camps. It seems evident to us that this strategy must include an integrated approach, with various components, such as mutual reconciliation and acceptance at community level, as well as the creation of economic, social, legal, political and security mechanisms for providing support to internally displaced persons and to those who will received them in the communities.

I am sure that you will agree with me when I say the solution must be more than just building houses and providing materials for transferring these citizens from one place to the other. I assure you that this issue has been having the attention of the entire Government, and that this commitment is now bearing fruit. On this date we register the return of 321 families to their homes, i.e. 2,052 persons.

There is no place on earth where there are no people who profit from the misfortune of others, and sadly Timor-Leste is no exception. The camps are now suffering from rural migration (as well as others) and from individuals who have recently settled there, hoping to receive the same status, in order to get the respective assistance. This has been delaying even more the national recovery process, as well as creating situations of injustice towards the true victims of the crisis.

3. Social protection and solidarity are constitutional rights that must be reflected into specific public social policies, guided towards the more vulnerable segments of the population, involving them in the definition of these very policies.

We all know that long term poverty reduction requires structuring and sustainable measures, not merely short term solutions of dubious sustainability. Still, I dare ask: that Government can close its eyes to the immediate problems of poverty and social inequalities? What Government can stand idle before the current situation in which our elders, after 24 years of sacrifice, continue to suffer from hunger, cold, sickness and isolation in their last few years of life? How can we turn a deaf ear to the disabled, the widows and the orphans of our freedom, who live in conditions that border the disrespect for human condition?

No political process may be successful without considering other fundamental areas to the national stabilization process; areas which are ultimately related to social justice. Therefore we considered it a priority to alleviate the immediate poverty at the more vulnerable segments of the population, through clear projects that ensure their protection.

This Government has had the courage not to cross its arms in view of this situation. Instead, we have made use of the recent increase in petroleum revenue (since we believe that the petroleum fund should remain with a high quality standard, but that the people must also be allowed to enjoy the assets that belong to the Nation), seeking to use public resources in policies that favour the poor, as well as in the creation of social support to the most vulnerable groups.

In this sense, we have already collected data to ensure the payment of pensions and subsidies to the elderly, widows and disabled. Even though the national age average is that of a very young population, it is estimated that we have over 30,000 citizens aged over 65, mostly in rural areas. There are also about 22,000 with different forms of disability.

The Government has also been ensuring support, through the pilot project called “Condition Cash Transfers”, for children and mothers in situation of risk, civil victims seriously hurt and families that have lost their businesses due to the crisis. In addition to this we are continuing the school meals program, supplying one meal a day to school children in all districts, so as to encourage attendance and improve the capacity of the children for learning.

Another priority target indicated specifically by this Government concerns the National Liberation Combatants and Martyrs, from their recognition to their special protection. At the end of last year 2,000,000 dollars were paid as tribute to 205 former guerrilla fighters, including both men and women, who fought in the woods for over 15 years, so that the Country could achieve its independence.

We have been carrying out the constitutional and legal act of having the President of the Republic distinguish combatants. We have started to process the “special identification card”, enabling their bearers to have access to other legal rights that dignify resistance. We have developed institutional coordination actions allowing the assistance to former combatants who are ill or needy at the National Health and Social Assistance Services.

Within this setting of recognizing those who fought for the liberation of the Motherland, we are currently regulating the different types of pensions foreseen in the Statute of the National Liberation Combatants, so as to identify attribution criteria, amounts and the process for filing the request. Six years after the Independence we will start paying, during this semester, the pensions that our National Heroes so rightfully deserve.

Because social injustice is a national issue that involves the efforts of many persons, most of all those nearer to the communities, we will be attributing funds to religious organizations throughout the Country, namely the Catholic Church and other confessions, as well as other Civil Society organizations, so that they may provide essential services to the population.

The standing of the State could not be any other when confronted by the misery in which its people are living. If there are any doubts as to the sustainability of these measures, I state once more that the public costs are minimum when what is in question is the stability of a considerable part of our society and the evident implication for reducing poverty, since even a slight increase in the purchasing power by these people will stimulate local economy and contribute towards an integrated framework of economic growth.

4. The Youth as a segment for priority intervention by the State is a fundamental strategy towards the sustainable development of Timor-Leste, considering that this is the main human resource of the Country, ensuring the edification of the Nation and the drive in the fight against poverty.

The population aged 15 to 29 represents about a quarter of the total population, and it is estimated that this proportion will increase by 40% until 2010. Being seen as a transitory social condition, youth is presented as a segment of priority intervention by the State, while interface, within a perspective of transmission of knowledge and experience, anticipating modernization on one hand and preserving and consolidating the fundamental values of the Nation on the other.

On one hand, the energy and dissatisfaction always evident in this segment of the population, because they have many aspirations and desire to transform the reality around them, must be the object of a proper approach.

The creation of a Secretary of State for Youth and Sports seeks to provide young people with the opportunity to participate in cultural or artistic activities and to promote initiatives for developing sport activities, according to the objectives set in the National Youth Policy, already approved by this executive. This Policy seeks to mobilize the youth within the community context, establish the connection between education and post-school reality, provide employment opportunities, alphabetize and support the more underprivileged persons and promote the civic participation by the youth.

In the search for structural solutions to the challenge that sustainable developments places before us, the exponential growth of the population must be the object of a deep reflection, because even if the Government manages to create conditions for a new boost to economic growth, it will be difficult to do it in the same proportion estimated for the growth of the population within the next years, which clearly means that there will be more poor people.

As this setting is very difficult to be changed in the short term, because its character is mostly cultural and implies the changing of mentalities, we must start by transforming this growth and consequent increase of the young population into an opportunity for national sustainable development.

This design is intrinsically connected to the matter of education, professional training and creation of employment, which must be considered within a holistic and clearly humble manner. For this we must work together with the national forces and mostly with the international development partners, the expertise of which cannot be neglected here.

This is one of the great goals: to invest in human capitals. To develop specific programs giving the Timorese the skills to make them more relevant within the sustainable development of their communities and of the Country in general.

We carry out professional training initiatives with models that are adequate to the real needs of the Country and to the attribution of scholarships to graduates and trainers in priority areas. We have started the Reform of Education, including the introduction of 9 years of mandatory and free education, the drafting of a new curriculum plan for primary and pre-secondary education and the training of teachers on the application of the new curricula, and we have drafted the Basic Law on Education, which will soon be submitted to the National Parliament.

Without harm to the assistance that the Development Partners have been giving us in these structuring areas, as well as the institutional capacity building provided by international advisors and other specific programs, the fundamental issue of investing in human capital, mostly young people, must be the object of a broader and bolder program, so as to fight one of the main frailties of the construction of Timor-Leste.

Excellencies
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Just because I am giving special attention to these four aspects, that does not mean that other areas of intervention will be neglected. Still, the weight of our history and our social and cultural reality warn us that we have our own rhythm, which cannot be ignored, and that the expectations of the population must not be frustrated. This was our political commitment, to listen to the aspirations of the Timorese people and to correspond to their main needs.

The efficient fight against poverty must be carried out by each Timorese, within an endogenous and sustainable process. The formulation of a second National Development Strategic Plan, to be executed during the five years of the mandate, is a priority, and in order to achieve this the Government has already approved the creation of a National Research and Development Committee, the main task of which will be to draft the State of the Nation Report, to include: proper development indicators for evaluating progress; projection of macro-economy in the medium term; and inventorying data from broad studies on the needs of the Country, always within the spirit of extended consultation that characterizes this Government.

This instrument will ensure a proper planning and indication of goals and performance indicators and, when approved, will be a decision to be followed vigorously. This strategy includes the creation of a Strategic Planning and Investment Unit, which will transform difficulties into challenges and challenges into opportunities for investing in the fight against the obstacles to development.

In order to give the Timorese a greater participation in the decisions that are also their own, as well as to strengthen trust and generate local capacities for exploring resources, we have started the process for studying possibilities in terms of decentralization and local government in Timor-Leste. The strategic framework and the implementation calendar is being discussed broadly at district, sub-district and suco level, so as to draft a bill to be presented to the National Parliament, seeking the creation of a structure of municipalities to replace the current system of districts and sub-districts.

The economic and social plan subjacent to the 2008 State General Budget introduces a new rhythm in the consolidation of a State under the Rule of Law and in the fight against poverty, in particular through:

- The approval of a fundamental legislative package, followed by a reform of the justice administration and the acceleration of the procedural proceedings that, along with capacity development in the criminal area, with an efficient system of preventive arrests and prison establishments, including the creation of a military prison facility (the process for which has already been started), and new approaches for fighting criminality and insecurity, will improve Justice, Security and the Wellbeing of all;

- The promotion of health care with greater quality and accessibility, with a new approach at community level and favouring the more vulnerable persons;

- The improvement of basic water, power and sanitation services, seeking to cover the entire population, will give evidence to the efficiency of this executive. We will also be rehabilitating and building essential infrastructures such as roads, bridges and other ways of communication, but with quality. We are not going after quantity over quality; our intent is to improve the quality of life of our people!

- The training and regulation of the media sector. Legislation is being created, where before there was none, to regulate this sector, ensuring the necessary conditions for the freedom and independency of the media, within a perspective of quality, seriousness and accuracy, at the service of the citizens.

Excellencies
Ladies and Gentlemen

Even though in 2004-2005 there were signs of economic recovery, in 2006 the economic activity practically stopped, leading to a contraction of the non-petroleum GDP of about 6%, interrupting the gradual improvement that was being registered since 2002. Already in 2007, annual inflation reached 17%, due to the lack of rice at regional levels and to interruptions in the local supply caused by disturbances. Presently the consumer prices are in average 13% higher than those registered in March 2006, with no increase in the per capita income.

This is the scenario that we have: poverty is going up instead of going down. The low public and private investment resulted in few new employment opportunities, especially comparing with the approximately 15 to 16 thousand young people who enter the labour market each year, and who find an unemployment rate that increased from 40% to 58% after the crisis.

How can we turn this situation around? That is the question we must answer! The priorities in terms of consolidation of stability and security, which I mentioned above, will be the turning point that will enable us to change this situation. On the other hand, our strategy seeks to convert the revenue from natural resources into economic and social progress, even if within a prudent macro-economic management framework.

While the Petroleum Fund should contribute to a sensible management of the exploration of Timorese oil and natural gas, for the benefit of future generations, we believe that a more efficient management can be achieved, using those revenues in order to create sustainable growth, investing in the present generation already. I would like to underline that we are not transferring amounts from the Petroleum Fund that exceed the Estimated Sustainable Income for next fiscal year. What we are doing is considering the current investment and management strategy of the Fund, starting a process of revision, seeking to explore to the utmost the possibilities within the Petroleum Fund Law, in order to maximize the total value of the revenues from the petroleum sector.

Associated to this, I remind you of the 2008 target in terms of capacity building in the sector of natural resources, so as to enable a greater local participation in the management of these goods. Having started the process for establishing a gas pipeline in the south of the Country, we will also finish during this semester the feasibility studies regarding the construction of the liquefied natural gas facilities in Timor-Leste. This project, together with the creation of a National Petroleum Company, also to be launched within the present year, represents important developments in the petroleum sector and has potential in terms of generation of employment and economic growth.

On the other hand, joint efforts for creating mechanisms towards a better budget management, avoiding new disturbances or excessive public spending, preventing the increase of domestic prices and ensuring that real income is not lowered, at the same time we inject a new strength into private sector development makes us envision a non-petroleum GDP real growth rate of around 7% a year.

In order to meet this goal we are implementing a proactive economic policy for mobilizing foreign investment and attracting investors. We believe this is the most immediate way for creating employment, at the same time we transfer the national business environment, namely in what concerns the inherent administrative procedures. Allow me to refer a small victory by this Government, namely the alteration to 3-5 days of the maximum time limit for issuing business activity registration and licence certificates, which in the past could take over 30 days.

The creation of an extended support program to the Microfinance Institute, in order to develop new microcredit programs in rural areas, along with the attribution of money for funding rural communities, seeking to stimulate agricultural productivity, constitutes an economic growth inductor desired at regional level. Agriculture, still the main economic activity of the Country, employing ¾ of the workforce in low productivity sustenance agriculture, will be the target of intervention by the Government, so as to improve the competitiveness of the sector, with the support of technological means and human resources, and special attention to the main cultures, such as rice, maize and coffee.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Objectively speaking, the intention of the Government over which I have the honour of presiding is to go from a stance of reacting to the problems that hit us to one that is preventive and proactive, adopting a tight strategy integrated in matters of security and development, so as to act on the main frailties of the Country. This is a time for cohesion, because if we do not muster synergies towards the major common national goals, the efforts to build a better Timor-Leste will be useless.

Concerning unemployment and income insufficiency, the Government is reviewing the investment laws and other essential ones (such as the land property law) and captivating foreign investment, carrying out the tax reform, reducing taxes in the non-petroleum sector so as to increase private investment. However, if a safe and stable environment cannot be provided to companies and their staff, it will not be possible to make Timor-Leste an attractive place for investment.

While not underestimating the International Assistance that has been precious in nearly every area, and fully aware that we cannot meet all duties of a Democratic State under the Rule of Law or achieve the purposes I have listed without the assistance from our Development Partners, we still need to give a new boost to the efforts by Timorese authorities.

Working together is working in partnership, rather that some parties merely giving and other parties merely receiving. Working together also presupposes mutual trust and solidarity. Today, more than ever, this is precisely what I ask of you: a vote of confidence!

To the international response to the crisis, translated in the strengthening of the United Nations peacekeeping mission and in the sending of forces within the scope of bilateral cooperation, the Government will respond with the provision of public order and security, as well as with the reintegration of those who were cast aside during the crisis.

The Timorese Government will use the support – both multilateral and bilateral – that the international community has been providing continuously to Timor-Leste to enable a prompt and efficient response in terms of peace building and of improving the quality of life of the Timorese people!

Thank you very much.

Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão
28 March 2008

A humanitarian and recovery appeal launched in Timor-Leste

Dili – 28 March, 2008 – The United Nations and non government organisations working in Timor-Leste will launch an appeal to the donor community tomorrow for ongoing relief and recovery programs.

The Transitional Strategy and Appeal is a consolidated plan to support the most vulnerable, including internally displaced persons (IDPs) and communities at risk from natural disasters. The project areas have been identified after detailed and strategic planning by humanitarian and recovery partners in close coordination with the Government.

The total amount being appealed for is US$33.5m, compared with US$36m requested last year. While humanitarian assistance in the IDP camps continues to be critical, early recovery initiatives aimed at the creation of an enabling environment for IDPs’ return and/or resettlement have become the primary focus of the Government of Timor-Leste and its partners in 2008. The funds will be spent in three strategic areas:

1. Continued emergency assistance in IDP camps

2. Supporting the Government’s National Recovery Strategy in the areas of housing, security and stability, social protection, local economies and building community trust

3. Strengthening the country’s ability to manage risk and impact from natural disasters

The total sum will contribute to 67 projects administered by six national NGOs, 13 international NGOs and eight UN Agencies, funds and programmes including the International Organisation for Migration.

The UN’s Humanitarian Coordinator for Timor-Leste, Mr. Finn Reske-Nielsen, says that funding raised through the Appeal will complement national financial resources already committed by the Government.

‘The Government of Timor-Leste has committed US$ 15 million in 2008 to address IDP issues’ says Mr Reske-Nielsen. ‘These financial resources constitute a significant and increased commitment of the Government towards these issues, however, further donor support to Government’s efforts will be valuable to help meet its shortfall’.

Mr Reske-Nielsen said that ongoing humanitarian problems that stem from the crisis in 2006 are complex and multi-dimensional with social, economic and political roots.

‘There is no simple nor short-term solution, and the experience of national and international organisations along with the Government, shows that continued support to ongoing humanitarian response and recovery efforts is vital to reaching a sustainable resolution to the crisis.’