Asia PR News

SYDNEY, June 29/Medianet International-AsiaNet/–

An Address from His Excellency, President Xanana Gusmao

Dili - June 29, 2007 - “Our blessed country has suffered much, its people have
lost their lives because of our country’s destiny and the inalienable pursuit
of freedom. Of those great, everyday heroes who fell throughout the decades,
many without graves, their legacy now falls to the next generation who continue
to face the same fears of death through a cruel twist of fate: from hunger,
sickness, bombardments, and bullets.

“Our humble people have accepted unthinkable sacrifices in the name of
independence, they have risen beyond fury and grief, disbelief and heartache -
to stand united as a sovereign nation relentless in its pursuit of
independence. Despite all hardship, the East Timorese continue the naturalistic
instinct to strive for democratic plurality.

“For 24 years we strove to receive our god given rights as independent citizens
through war, internment, destruction and devastation. We survived and we stayed
true to our dreams.

“At the beginning of our journey, we stood alone as a people. It was a long
struggle, fighting side by side as brethren against injustice, but slowly our
fate was granted. With global acknowledgement after a heroic fight for what was
just, and what was our divine right, we now stand united as a recognized
independent country.

“Although we gained our independence, over the past five years we have
struggled, once again, against a deep loss of spirit. Our newfound sovereignty
has been fractured and challenged by a Fretilin parliament that bred contempt,
nepotism, corruption and arrogance. The country’s leadership has created a
culture of impudence, with disregard for humanity, ignoring the moral laws of
civil liberties and impeding the democratic rights promised to our humble
citizens at the heart of our young constitution.

“Because of this, CNRT was resurrected, to reconstruct all that is
fundamentally unjust with our nation at the hands of the Fretilin leadership.

“I have traveled throughout the country, from the East to the West declaring my
promise to reconstruct a rightful system that protects the poor from further
hardship. To reform a government that is immobilized by inaction and to
establish an administration system that reflects the true notions of rightful
democratic doctrines. I reaffirmed my commitment to serve and not lead, to
listen and not thwart, to engage in international dialogue seeking immediate
relief to our weakest and poor. I vowed to access all avenues available to ease
suffering, to rebuild systems under accountable and transparent judicial
mandates, and to hold every elected and local official answerable to moral and
ethical scrutiny.

“Assuming the role of Prime Minister upon election, my inherent duty would be
to change the culture of governance in our great nation by promoting the
fundamental principles of compassion, action and service. This would be teamed
with radical reform, educating the assembly of due process, checks and
balances, lawfulness and above all, progressive adoption of decentralization to
enter a new era of compatibility between cities, districts and villages. I will
work to establish a cohesive union of sovereignty based on the groundling
principles of a free and fair democratic state - this is a national priority,
and this should not be hard with a unified spirit of healing and
reconciliation, reaching all aspects of our collective consciousness.

“We are only at the beginning of our journey as a young nation, we are buoyant
and can overcome the obstacles created by the heartless regime of Fretilin.

“We have yet to embrace our unique culture and develop an infrastructure upon
our natural and god given talents as a creative and strong race, driven from
the soul of independence. We have yet to invest in our potential as a nation
and embrace the foundations of industry, driven independently by our own
citizens. We have yet to replace the fighting spirit with the entrepreneurial
spirit, by investing in our local businesses. We have yet to foster a spirit of
global confidence, attracting investment, import, export and tourism into our
fledgling economy.

“We have yet to begin to achieve and strive for greatness, for we as a race
collectively have achieved greatness once before, upon gaining our
independence, and we as a race will achieve greatness once again.

“So as we enter into the legislative elections I say to the people of East
Timor, I will not rest until every man woman and child in East Timor has
received access to the fundamental necessities, from a government willing to
service the needs of our valued citizens. The rights to food, shelter, access
to clean water, electricity, sanitation, free education, medical facilities,
living free of fear, protected against crime and corruption by a lawful and
professional police force - these are the necessities we as a government are
charged with ensuring.

“I will guarantee the sovereign pillars of our nation and will work tirelessly
to protect all civil liberties and defend inalienable rights inherent upon
birth. I will not rest until the next generation of leaders embrace the
doctrines and values set forth in global free and fair democracies, and can
represent our country with the pride of excellence in striving for what is
just, eradicating the state of poverty and replacing it with a nation rich with
development and progress.

“My opposition has said I will not face defeat, they are correct in that I will
not face defeat in allowing impoverishment to continue through generations. I
have campaigned for these basic principles throughout my life, as an elected
official, a fighter for freedom and as a citizen; this has been my calling to
my country and to God.

“These are my promises and the promises of the party that I represent, CNRT,
whose tenancy will be one that will serve as a model for good governance
founded on a strong moral and ethical compass and guided by the philosophy of
honor and duty to self and to country.

“I call on all brave citizens of East Timor to vote with their hearts and vote
for our future in a spirit of peace and unity.

“May God Bless Our Great Nation”

For Further Information
CNRT Media Contact
T: +670 735 8696
E: cnrt.media@gmail.com
W: www.cnrt-timor.org

SOURCE: CNRT East Timor