Comunicado - PM

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF TIMOR-LESTE
OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER

MEDIA RELEASE

Dili, December 1 2006

Martial arts groups propose a joint quick-response assistance unit

The major martial arts groups of Timor-Leste met for the third time yesterday (Thursday November 30) and agreed to approach the Government with a proposal to form a special quick-response assistance unit made up of representatives of each club.

The proposed unit would be mobilized quickly whenever it was determined that members of martial arts clubs were involved in violent behavior. It would go to trouble spots and would attempt to defuse or contain any confrontations.

“Martial arts club members are not always the provocateurs of the violence that is occurring,” a spokesman said. “But we acknowledge that some of the more violent youths could belong to one of our clubs and we will do everything we can to try and stop such behavior.”

Many violent confrontations – particularly in Dili – have involved members of martial arts clubs. Last Friday Prime Minister Dr José Ramos-Horta convened the first meeting of the major clubs at the Library in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation and told them that they must act together to stop the gang violence plaguing Timor-Leste.
The Prime Minister spoke to the leaders for 30 minutes. Today the meeting was jointly chaired by the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs João Camara and the Prime Minister’s Youth Liaison Officer José Sousa-Santos.
In a frank discussion on Friday Dr Ramos-Horta, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, told them: “Now that you are all here and you have heard me, you may continue to talk to each other on your own and find a way to live peacefully with each other and contribute to peace and stability in this country, or you may leave and continue your stupid, irresponsible and criminal behavior.
“If you continue this violent behavior, let me assure you that none of you will go unpunished. If at the end of your meeting you decide to work towards peace and wish to come forward to me, we will request assistance for any constructive and meaningful purpose that you like, and the Government will find a way to assist you.”
In their third meeting at the Ministry Library yesterday, 12 representatives of four clubs met and agreed to approach the problem from two sides:
· From a humanitarian point of view.
· From a security assistance point of view.

The leaders agreed that the security assistance aspect was the most urgent need and each of the clubs has proposed having three representatives available to travel at short notice to a trouble spot.

The spokesman for the martial arts groups said the assistance unit proposal was a genuine initiative of the clubs.

“We will work with the Government and the authorities to overcome this problem,” he said. “Our clubs are determined to be important and respected members of the Timor-Leste community.

“We will continue to meet as required.”