REPÚBLICA DEMOCRÁTICA DE TIMOR-LESTE IV CONSTITUTIONAL GOVERNMENT MEDIA RELEASE Dili - July 13, 2009

Statement By The Spokesperson of the IV Constitutional Government,

The Secretary of State for the Council of Ministers

Manuel Carrascalão, saying farewell to a remarkable man

It is with deep regret that the Members of the Government of Timor-Leste present their heartfelt condolences to the relatives and friends of Manuel Carrascalão. He shall be missed immensely.

Manuel Carrascalão was a remarkable man who always defended and fought for the ideals and the independence of the Timorese people. The vital role he played during the 1999 Popular Consultation on Self-determination, which ended up causing the death of his son Manelito as a result of an attack by the militias on his residence, where Manuel Carrascalão gave shelter to dozens of Timorese citizens, will forever keep his legacy alive among the Timorese people.

During the last few decades he was a prominent figure in the history of Timor-Leste, founding a resistance movement still during the Indonesia occupation that gathered almost all Timorese political forces that opposed the occupation. Later, already in 2001, he replaced Xanana Gusmão as the leader of the National Council, the legislative body set up by UNTAET.

Manuel Carrascalão shall be remembered as a man who fought for the ideals of freedom, peace and dignity in Timor-Leste.

May he now rest in peace. His life and his political leadership will forever hold a special place in the history of Timor-Leste and be a source of inspiration for our People. ENDS

For More Information Please Contact: Ágio Pereira +670 723 0011; E-mail: agiopereira@cdm.gov.tl

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