DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF TIMOR-LESTE
OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER

MEDIA RELEASE

Dili, December 3 2006

Concentrating on their abilities is the way forward for our disabled

All people suffer some form of disability even though it might not be physical and visually obvious, Prime Minister Dr José Ramos-Horta told a gathering in Aileu today celebrating International Disability Day.

“If a Prime Minister was incompetent that might be a form of disability,” he said.

“Or if a Government Minister was lazy, that too could be a disability.

“It is for these reasons I have some difficulty with using the word disability to broadly describe people who suffer some visually obvious physical impairment. Too much emphasis is placed on the ‘dis’. It is more important to concentrate on the ‘ability’ portion of this word.”

The Prime Minister and Minister for State Ana Pesoa were presented with a list of seven requests by representatives of Timor-Leste’s disabled.

“I accept all these requests and I will work to ensure they are delivered,” Dr Ramos-Horta said.

“I have enlisted the assistance of Minister of State Pessoa to help me push these things through the Council of Ministers.”

The seven requests are:

1. The building in Aileu to be officially handed over to the Mary Knoll organisation and funds provided to repair and maintain it.
2. Secondary schools in Timor-Leste to integrate disabled students into campuses.
3. The boarding school in Taibessi for disabled people from the Districts to be repaired.
4. Assistance with credit for disabled people to help them start small businesses.
5. Scholarships for disabled people whose parents do not have the money to send them to school.
6. Access for the disabled in the workplace; on public transport and in communications.
7. Immediate support for the families of the disabled whose houses were destroyed in the recent crisis.

This year is the 25th anniversary of the International Year of Disabled Persons and the primary objectives of disabled people and organisations are to see equal opportunities provided; adequate rehabilitation; and action to prevent disabilities occurring.

Timor-Leste has a number of organisations (locally and internationally supported) working with a strong focus on people with disabilities. They include: Katilosa, Klibur Domin, the Blind Union, Mary Knoll in Aileu, the Special School for Disabled, Leprosy Mission International, the Alma Sisters and ASSERT.

There are also an increasing number of organisations including efforts for disabled people in their programs – for example UNICEF, Plan, ILO and CARE.

The Government of Timor-Leste, through the Ministry of Labor and Community Reinsertion, continues to develop programs for people with disabilities…..

· Eleven disabled Timorese sports men and women are currently participating in the 9th FESPIC Games in Kuala Lumpur. FESPIC is the annual Paralympics for Far East and South Pacific countries.
· The Ministry of Labor and Community Reinsertion has provided $US66,000 through its Annual Action Plan to support the local NGO ASSERT.
· 100 disabled persons are receiving school subsidies.
· People with disabilities are receiving training from the Ministry in establishing and running a small business.
· Community-based rehabilitation programs are starting in many areas and being supported by the Government.

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DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF TIMOR-LESTE
OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER

MEDIA RELEASE

Dili, December 2 2006

Sunday to be a day to remember as nation marks 10th anniversary of Nobel Peace Prize

Next Sunday is the 10th anniversary of the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Bishop Carlos Belo and Prime Minister Dr José Ramos-Horta and it promises to be one of the most memorable days of celebration in Timor-Leste’s short life as an independent nation.

Dr Ramos-Horta said today the celebrations were for the people of Timor-Leste and recognition that the Nobel Peace Prize belonged to the nation.

As contractors race to finish the renovation works to the front of the Palacio do Governo, a huge traditional Timorese Sacred House is taking shape at the main entrance. Built by master craftsmen using local materials, it is designed to be representative of the many different types of Sacred houses in use by ethnic groups throughout Timor-Leste. All 36 ethnic language groups in the country will be represented at the event on Sunday, called Soru Mutu Ba Dame.

It is here that the nation’s political, religious, security and civil society leaders will be gathered to commit themselves with a public pledge to work together to find a path to peace and national solidarity. Present will be the President of the Republic Xanana Gusmão, the President of the National Parliament Francisco Guterres “Lu Olo”, the Prime Minister Dr José Ramos-Horta, most other Government Ministers and Members of Parliament, the current security services’ leadership, UNMIT’s leadership, and the Diplomatic Corp. Also expected to play a leading role is Dr Mari Alkatiri, the former Prime Minister.

Soru Mutu Ba Dame will be followed by a special open-air mass, celebrated by Bishop Ricardo of Dili. Thousands of people are anticipated to attend from 07.30 to 13.00, and to witness the Church’s blessing for the peace process.

At 6 p.m. celebrations will continue at the Palacio grounds with the best of traditional and contemporary music, poetry and theatre from Timor-Leste’s 13 districts.

This Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday there will be theatre, traditional music and poetry in Independence Park (behind Motael Church) from 5 p.m. featuring such artists as Obituary; Lekirauk Kaben; Bibi Luton; Bibi Bulak; Loriko Nurak Dalan ba Dame and groups Estrela Do Mar; Mamora Qulau, Grupo Koremetan Same and Hohula. Poets represented include Abe Bareto, Eugenio Sarmento, Sandra Tilman, Armandina Gusmao and Cristovao Pereira.

On Wednesday and Friday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. in Independence Park some of the best contemporary music bands will be featured, among them 5 do Oriente, Gembel, Vialma-X, Canosa Band, and Galaxi Suai Band.

Finally, a photo and painting exhibition will also be held in Independence Park from Tuesday through to Sunday between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. showing works by TILPA, Sangar Masin, Sangar Matan, and Sangar Weturu.

The program of activities, organized by the Hahi Ita Rain National Events Commission and by the President’s Office, has the dual purpose of trying to reclaim that spirit of collective joy, hope and strength that prevailed in 1996, and to be an important rallying call for the people to work together, once again, to build their culture, their nation, and a better life.

Two traditional Timorese (ADAT) ceremonies will be the highlight of the celebrations:

Hamulak on December 7 (Independence Park at 18.00). This prayer ceremony focuses on putting away the sacred arms – symbolic swords and weapons - which were withdrawn from Sacred Houses in the past during times of invasion from outside, but are now being used by Timorese against Timorese. The President will receive the weapons from the Elders and return them to their scabbards. All are welcome.

Soru Mutu Ba Dame on December 10 (Palacio do Governo from 07.30). With the participation of the country’s national and international leadership, the aim is to focus the nation’s attention on the need to find a path to unity and peace with a national pledge to forgiveness, mutual tolerance and national solidarity. Lia Na’in (Elders) & Liurai (Kings) representing all ethnic language groups in the country will officiate and it is to them that the leaders will make their Juramento (pledge) to do all in their power to ensure a peaceful and non-violent path to the elections, and beyond.

Both will be unique in the history of Timor-Leste in terms of their scale and the participation of representatives of each of the 36 ethnic language groups and 13 districts from across the country.

The full program of events will be published daily in Dili newspapers.

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