Subject: BBC FM relay station launched in East Timor

BBC Monitoring International Reports September 30, 2005

East Timor/UK: BBC FM relay station launched in East Timor

Text of press release from BBC on 28 September

HRH The Princess Royal switched on the new BBC 105.9 [MHz] FM in Dili, East Timor today.

The ceremony marked the start of a long-term partnership between the BBC and East Timor's national broadcaster Radio and Televisao Timor Leste (RTTL) who own and maintain the FM site.

Listeners in the capital, Dili, can now hear BBC programmes in English and Portuguese.

Nigel Chapman, Director of BBC World Service, said: "The BBC is delighted and honoured that The Princess Royal was able to launch this important partnership as part of her state visit.

"RTTL is the world's most recently established public broadcaster and since the BBC is the world's oldest and most renowned international broadcaster, this partnership is ideal.

"We look forward to working closely together to serve audiences in Dili."

Michelle Rowland, Business Development Executive, Australasia, BBC World Service, added: "We are pleased that listeners in Dili can now enjoy programmes in perfect sound quality.

"This new agreement is a crucial step in consolidating our already good relationship with RTTL, who will continue to provide us with first class technical and management assistance of BBC 105.9 FM.

"In turn the BBC is pleased to provide RTTL with some training for staff and equipment allowing them to record and archive East Timorese music and culture in the studio and on location."

Virgilio da Silva Guterres, General Director of RTTL, said: "I am delighted that the cooperation between RTTL and BBC is formally launched.

"This relationship will help RTTL in many ways as the national public broadcaster within East Timor's evolving democracy."


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