| Subject: Ramos-Horta
to exit politics to become journalist
The Australian 19dec99
Ramos-Horta to exit politics
From AP correspondent HEATHER PATERSON in
Dili
EAST Timor Nobel laureate Jose Ramos-Horta
has announced his intention to leave the political arena and become a
journalist.
Ramos-Horta campaigned tirelessly for the
rights of East Timorese people after Indonesia invaded the former
Portuguese colony 24 years ago.
He said he held no ambition to take part
in the East Timorese government, which is expected to be formed within
three years, but wanted to become a journalist.
East Timor is currently administered by
the United Nations Transitional Authority in East Timor. Indonesia
relinquished control of the territory after a August 30 independence
referendum.
"I told our president Xanana Gusmao
my public political involvement will not extend beyond December
2000," Ramos-Horta told journalists at a media training seminar in
Dili.
"By then I hope the journalists'
association will allow me to join you, go back to what I always wanted,
and that is to be a practicing journalist."
Ramos-Horta also told the seminar the
development of a free and independent media was an integral part of
building a free and independent East Timor.
"There would not be a free and
democratic East Timor without freedom of the media. Freedom of media is
not an abstract concept, it has also some very practical
implications," he said.
Ramos-Horta is involved in setting up the
East Timor News Agency, which will work under the auspices of the
Portuguese wire serve, Lusa.
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