DEMOCRATIC REPULIC OF TIMOR-LESTE OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER

MEDIA RELEASE

September 25, 2006

Election agreement signed by Prime Minister and United Nations Development Program

The Prime Minister Dr José Ramos-Horta signed an agreement with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) today providing for technical and logistical support during the 2007 Presidential and Parliamentary elections in Timor-Leste.

The UNDP support protocol that was signed today is part of UN efforts to assist the presidential and parliamentary elections. It complements activities that will be supported by the UN Integrated Mission and national authorities.

The new UN mission will certify the electoral process on the basis of benchmarks and will provide technical assistance in policy advice and election administration. This UNDP project will focus on training national and international observers and party agents; procurement; civic and voter education activities.

A certification team will oversee each of the phases of the process of the elections and will certify that international standards are being adhered to. Mr. Finn Reske-Nielsen, acting Special Representative of the Secretary General for Timor-Leste and Resident Representative of the UN Development Program, signed the agreement.

“I would like to thank UNDP and the international community for contributing assistance over the next few months as we move towards the elections in 2007,” Dr Ramos-Horta said.

“The Government will do its utmost to cooperate with all interested parties, with all the stakeholders ­ first to ensure that everything is done in a fair and transparent manner that is beyond reproach. The Government will be working hard to create the political and security conditions for all parties to be able to exercise their democratic rights.

“I look forward to the next months with confidence, that working together with UNDP and the international community, all Timorese can participate in the elections with confidence.”

Mr. Finn Reske-Nielsen said UNDP looked forward to working closely with the Government and all interested parties so that the 2007 elections would be a great success.

“The new Mission intends to work hard to support Timor-Leste in all aspects of the elections,” he said. “This will include technical and logistical support, electoral policy advice and verification or other means.”

For further information please contact:

JULIAN SWINSTEAD Communications / Media Advisor to The Prime Minister Tel: +670 732 7776