Asia: Timor govt runs out of money to feed refugees

By Stephanie March

DILI, March 31 AAP – Jose Sarmento lines up on a basketball court
with 3,000 other displaced people to collect his rice and cooking oil
for the month.

He stands with an empty rice sack and an old water bottle.

These men, women and children wait in line for up to six hours for
their four kilograms of rice and a half litre of oil, given out at
the Don Bosco Church compound in Dili, their home for the past two years.

As parents wait in line, small children run about screaming and
playing basketball.

Some children are too young to remember life before their families
were forced to take shelter in internally displaced persons (IDP)
camps. For them food ration lines are a normal part of life.

“We live here because we are afraid of the others,” Jose says.

For Jose, “the others” are people who burnt down his home during East
Timor’s 2006 crisis that left 37 people dead, and forced 150,000 to
flee their homes.

In 2006, tensions between the country’s armed forces paved the way
for an east versus west ethnic conflict which led to over 8,000 homes
being destroyed and thousands more damaged.

Many homes in Dili were burnt down by rival groups within
neighbourhoods, forcing residents to flee to IDP camps that emerged
across the country.

About 70,000 people still live like Jose, in tents across the
country, dependant upon food giveaways, too scared to move back next
to neighbours who only two years ago attacked them.

But at the end of April, Jose’s food handouts end.

In February, the World Food Program (WFP) cut rice rations from eight
kilograms to four, and as of April they will stop them altogether.

“It was already in the pipeline because we know that not all IDPs
need food handouts, and we don’t want to make people dependant,” says
Joan Fleuren, country director of the WFP in East Timor.

Despite the WFP’s long-planned exit strategy, East Timor’s State
Secretary for Social Assistance Jacinto De Deus says his government
was under the impression the WFP would continue its support
throughout 2008, which is why it failed to allocate any money in this
year’s budget to pay for food for the people living in camps.

“This year, the government allocated $US15 million ($A16.38 million)
for the IDPs, and mainly that money is only to be used for the
recovery effort, and none of the amount is allocated for the
humanitarian assistance,” he says.

“For two years already, all the food has been provided from the
international community through WFP,” he said.

“It’s something that the government must take over but unfortunately
we didn’t anticipate it during the budget discussion for 2008.”

That lack of foresight has forced East Timor’s government to launch
its own appeal to donors and bilateral partners to help provide the
$US700,000 ($A764,442) it says it needs each month to feed the IDPs.

And at a donor meeting on Saturday, East Timor’s vice Prime Minister
Jose Luis Gutteres appealed to 27 donor countries for $US33.5 million
($A36.58 million) in aid assistance to help the government through 2008.

Part of that funding would be used to buy food for IDPs, he said.

But raising that money may prove difficult, as donor fatigue towards
the IDP problem is already showing.

“Even last June there was always this uneasiness from donors,” Fleuren says.

“They were asking ‘how long, how much longer do we continue with
IDPs?’, but that was just after the elections and there was good
reason to not completely cut it because there was a new government,
but clearly the donors wanted an exit strategy.”

There are good reasons for donors to question why they are being
asked to give so much money to IDPs.

According to an assessment in September last year, only half of the
country’s 70,000 displaced people actually need food supplied to them.

The other half have access to income-generating activities, or have
other means of growing or getting food.

Finn Reske-Nielsen, the United Nations Mission in Timor-Leste
humanitarian coordinator, said Timor wasn’t Darfur, where people live
in camps and they have no other options.

“Many of the people in the camps (in Timor) are working, and many of
them have set up little businesses, and therefore they do have
alternatives to food handouts,” Reske-Nielsen said.

But Fleuren says the assessment also showed that around 35,000 of
non-IDPs in East Timor are in desperate need of food assistance.

“What we are trying to do now, is to stop [IDP] food distribution
altogether, and we are trying to identify people who are chronically
vulnerable, who need continued assistance maybe in the form of food,
or food coupons, not only IDPs but also the rest of the population,”
Fleuren said.

Since the February attacks on East Timor’s leaders that left
President Jose Ramos Horta severely wounded and rebel leader Alfredo
Reinado dead, several hundred displaced people have felt safe enough
to move home.

While this initial movement is a good sign, the UN doesn’t expect the
displacement problem will resolve itself anytime soon, and predicts
only one third of displaced people will have returned home by the end
of this year.

Jose Sarmento hopes to move home as soon as he gets a relocation
grant from the government, but he is worried about what could happen
if the government chooses to – or is forced to – stop giving food aid
to people in camps.

“Of course there will be trouble because the people who live in camps
need to eat three times a day. Where do they get this food? Of course
they steal from the others.

“Why should the government stop? If the government is not responsible
for this, then who is?”

——————————————

Joyo Indonesia News Service

Job Vacancy IT Support- World Vision International – Timor Leste

World Vision International – Timor Leste

Job Vacancy Re-Announcement

World Vision Timor Leste, a non-profit Christian Humanitarian Organization, committed to

working with the poor and vulnerable, is seeking for one (1) qualified Timorese National to fill

a vacant position of “IT Support based in Dili.

PURPOSE OF POSITION:

Under supervision of IT consultant, installs, maintain, troubleshoots and upgrades computer

hardware, software, personal computer networks, peripheral equipment and electronic mail

systems; assesses user training needs and train users in effective use of application and

equipments.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Installs, configures and upgrades operating system and software using standard business and administrative packages.

• Install, assembles and configures computers, monitor, network infrastructure and peripherals such as printers, scanners and related hardware, pulls cables and rewires or direct the rewiring of cables as required fro new instillation and office reconfiguration.

• Troubleshoots problem with computer system, including troubleshoots hardware and software, network and peripheral equipment problems, make repairs and corrections where required.

• Acts as a technical resource in assisting users to resolve problems with equipment and data, staff a centralized help desk to facilitate exchange of information and advise: implement solutions or notifies outsource providers as required.

• Assist in instruction staff in the use of standard business and administrative software; including word processing, spreadsheet and database management; provides instructions or written documentation where required.

• Performs other duties of a similar nature or level.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Completion of course in computer science, information technology or computer related field and general computer installation, maintenance and repair experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job as listed above.

• Installing, configuring and upgrading operating system and software, using primarily standard financial, business and administrative application practices

• Installing, configuring, assembling and repairing computer, monitors, network infrastructure and peripherals such as printer and related hardware.

• Troubleshooting and solving hardware and software problems.

• Two years experience working in the computer field and network.

• Ability to speak Bahasa Indonesian, Tetun and English desirable.

• Posses the values and attitudes that conform with World Vision Core Values

Interested applicants should submit Application Letter,CV and other document to: Human

Resources Department, World Vision Timor Leste, Rua Jacinto de Candido/Rua D Fernando,

Caicoli, Dili. P.O. Box 43, Dili. Timor Leste. Tel: (670) 331 2834

World Vision Timor Leste is committed to the principles of workplace diversity.

Only short listed candidates will be notified and applications will not be returned.

Closing date is 7 April 2008, at 5:00 pm

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