Media Realese: "I intend to be the best advocate of the poor"

Presidência da República, Gabinete da Presidência - 01 October 2007

President Ramos-Horta unveils fast-track mechanism to alleviate poverty and spur rural development

Education and Youth employment also key areas for public spending

President José Ramos-Horta reaffirmed his commitment towards poverty alleviation as the first priority of his tenure.

"I am establishing a fast track mechanism under my personal leadership to provide direct assistance to individuals, groups or rural communities", the President of Timor-Leste announced as he addressed the 62nd session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

"The idea is that it should not take more than 10 working days for a decision to be made on a project and for the first instalment of a grant to be disbursed", President Ramos-Horta said.

The President of the Republic highlighted the positive prospects for Timor-Leste’s economy which "will see a strong 22 percent growth this year due to our oil revenues and UN presence".
Timor-Leste’s Petroleum Fund has accumulated over US$1.4 billion and currently has monthly revenues of US$100 million.

However, President Ramos-Horta pointed out, "all this was not enough to improve the living standards of the poor".

"The vast majority of the people who have been poor for centuries cannot and should not wait" longer, the President said.

"I have pledged to be the President of the Poor and I intend to be their best advocate", the President added as he detailed the new mechanism of financial assistance for rural development and poverty alleviation.

Dr. Ramos-Horta said that in the medium term the fast track initiative coupled with public investment in infrastructure (road, bridges, port and airport) and in the agriculture sector will deliver a significant reduction of unemployment and a decrease of poverty levels.

The President also stressed the fact that the government has accepted his fiscal reform proposal that will turn Timor-Leste into a tax free country.

Education and youth employment

Dr. José Ramos-Horta singled out Education and youth employment as key sectors under his attention.

"Education and youth employment are areas that my presidency and the new government are prioritizing with more public spending", he affirmed.

The President added that is proposal of establishing a permanent Youth Parliament will help society to focus its attention in this important and socially sensitive age group.

The Youth Parliament, President Ramos-Horta said, "is not only an effective and creative way to empower youth but it also serves as a unique leadership development process and as a school for future leaders".

Rule of Law and Human Rights

The President of the Republic said that in spite of the events of 2006 that led to serious breaches of human rights, including the right to Life, the Justice sector of Timor-Leste is coping well with its responsibilities and the Rule of Law is one bright feature in the country’s achievements.

"While we failed in many areas, we succeed in others. We have succeeded in not abandoning our deep commitment to human rights and the rule of law", President Ramos-Horta said.

"Timor-Leste stands among very few that have ratified all seven core Human Rights Treaties", the President said.

"Timor-Leste seeks a seat on the Human Rights Council for the term 2008-2011 and we are particularly pleased and grateful that many countries have so far expressed support for our candidacy", Dr. Ramos-Horta added.

The President reaffirmed the commitment of the Nation with Peace and the peaceful resolution of differences and conflicts.

"We believe in dialogue to solve national and international disputes, in the power of ideas, in partnership and cooperation to address regional and international challenges", he said.

Freedom for Daw Aung Suu Kji

President Ramos-Horta expressed distress concerning the current events in Myanmar.
"Timor-Leste follows with deep concern and disappointment the developments in Myanmar. As human beings and friends we are distressed at the deteriorating social, humanitarian, and political conditions in that neighbouring country", the President said.

"The leaders in Myanmar must not continue to hold Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Daw Aung Suu Kji and the entire nation hostage to a mind-set that belongs to the Cold War and to policies that have brought international opprobrium and economic ruin", contended President Ramos-Horta, himself a Nobel Peace Laureate.

The President of Timor-Leste said that further isolating Myanmar would be counter productive.

"We do not believe that a strategy of isolating and punishing a whole community is the best way to advance the cause of freedom and democracy", President Ramos-Horta said.

"The actual consequence of such a strategy is the further isolation and impoverishment of a whole people", the President added. - ENDS

Departamento de Comunicação Social da Presidência da República Democrática de Timor-Leste
Contactos: telefone:(+670) 333 9003, telemóvel: (+670) 723 9043, e-mail Chefe Dep. Com. Social: riko.joel@gmail.com; e amorcopricorn4@yahoo.com