President challenges reshuffled cabinet to 'greater dedication'

Subject: LUSA: President challenges reshuffled cabinet to 'greater dedication'

06-03-2003 11:39:00. Notícia nº SIR-4749056

East Timor: President challenges reshuffled cabinet to 'greater dedication'

Dili, March 6 (Lusa) - President Xanana Gusmão swore in a reshuffled East Timorese government Thursday, challenging the new ministers to "greater dedication" in service of the nation.

Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri said the first change of portfolios and structure of his 10-month-old government aimed to achieve "greater efficiency".

In setting out priorities for his new team, Alkatiri said 2003 was the year of "consolidation of justice and state administration", along with "greater attention to development", especially in meeting the "most immediate expectations" of the country.

The reshuffle centered on the creation of three new cabinet posts and the promotion of former Justice Minister Ana Pessoa to a quasi-deputy prime ministership, as minister of state and of the cabinet presidency.

Pessoa was replaced at the sensitive justice ministry by her former deputy, Domingos Sarmentos.

The new cabinet, which includes 12 deputy ministers, is composed of 30 members, divided between 11 ministries and nine state secretariats.

ASP/SAS Lusa

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