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Subject: LUSA: Leaders urge all to work for consolidation of
independence
East Timor: Leaders urge all to work for consolidation of independence
Dili, May 20 (Lusa) - East Timor celebrated the second anniversary of
its hard-won independence Thursday with its leaders challenging the people
to unite in hard work to overcome the country's problems.
President Xanana Gusmão, speaking at ceremonies at Dili's municipal
stadium, said the "important fact" of the past year was the
country's sense of "stability and security".
The independence celebrations came one day after the United Nations
handed Dili full responsibility for domestic and external security.
Gusmão, acknowledging the disappointment of many over the slow pace of
change and economic development, called on the Timorese to "help
reconstruct the country" and show the world they would be "able
to govern" themselves.
Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri told the crowd independence was more than
having a flag, "seeking benefits" and counting on
"miracles".
"Independence is responsibility - responsibility to contribute to
peace and stability with discipline and firmness", Alkatiri said.
Noting East Timor was now fully in charge of its own security, he
promised there would be "no more violence" because the country's
authorities were ready to respond to any such attempt.
The ceremony included a minute of silence for the victims of
anti-independence violence unleashed by Indonesian occupying forces and
proxy militias at the time of the 1999 independence plebiscite.
EL/SAS Lusa
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