Subject: Xanana's to Opening Session of DARE II
Date: Fri, 02 Jul 1999 09:01:10 +0000
From: "John M. Miller" <fbp@igc.apc.org>CNRT - Timor-Leste xanana
gusmão
Distinguished Representative of the United Nations, Tamrat Samuel
Excellencies, Ambassadors of Friendly Governments
Distinguished Representatives of the Government of Indonesia
Honourable Representatives of the Church of Indonesia
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Respected Bishops of East Timor, D. Carlos Filipe Ximenes D. Basílio do Nascimento
The presence here today of so many distinguished figures is a great honour and
testimony to the tremendous faith placed in this set of meetings of Dialogue and
Reconciliation.
I wish to express our appreciation to the Indonesian Government which has contributed
admirably to the realisation of Dare II through the granting of visas to our brothers and
sisters from the diaspora.
This occasion constitutes, above all, a responsibility for the more than 60 Timorese
gathered here who are conscious that peace is a universal value and the right of each and
every human being.
This meeting, witnessed by the international community, is of particular relevance in
view of the fact that the Timorese are fully committing themselves, through their presence
here, to returning Peace to the People of Timor Loro Sa'e.
The people of Timor Loro Sa'e have experienced periods of war throughout their history,
most notably over the past 23 years.
If we have inherited from our ancestors the spirit of rebellion, today the Timorese
people wish to hand down something new to future generations - real and lasting peace!
Dear Timorese Brothers and Sisters,
The New York agreement of 5 May, has rendered this process, the process of
reconciliation, irreversible. No son or daugther of Timor Loro Sa'e can or will be able to
avoid feeling responsible for and committed to the process of dialogue and reconciliation.
…./2
The fundamental objective of reconciliation is peace. Reconciliation represents a
deliberate break with an atmosphere of confrontation.
The most difficult step has been taken - that of the acceptance of the need for
dialogue as the means of reaching a better understanding of one another's ideas, of
putting an end to apprehensions and of rejecting violence.
The first two days of meetings, whilst perhaps falling short of our expectations, were
of crucial importance in paving the way to improved communication and to a more conscious
assumption of our responsibilities as sons and daughters of Timor Loro Sa'e to our beloved
people and to the international community.
Our long suffering people have placed all their hopes in Dare II. These final three
days of meetings are vitally important to our people. It is their hope that their sons and
daughters, with greater capabilities, may embrace the spirit of fraternity, of mutual
respect and may commit themselves to the ideal of Peace.
On our part, I reaffirm our unqualified support to contributing in all aspects in order
to ensure that the consultation process is free, just and democratic.
I invite all my Timorese brothers and sisters to break down, once and for all, the
barriers constructed between us. May brotherhood be the new guiding force in our
relations.
Peace is possible in Timor Loro Sa'e!
Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão President of CNRT
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