SPEECH OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC RUAK AT ZEESM PROJECT STONE LAYING CEREMONY

Oecusse , May 25, 2014

President of Parliament

Former Prime Minister Dr Mari, Former President of the Parliament Dr Lu - Olo,
Dr Lasama;

Gentlemen;

Members of the Government;

Guests and the people of Oecusse.

In fact next year we will complete 500 years, as Dr Mari said, when we will affirm our own identity as a free and independent nation. The launch of this initiative is also part of the preparations for the celebration of 500 years of Portuguese presence and Christianity. Portuguese traders came to buy sandalwood in Timor, and had no notion they would help Timor to become a nation and a people with our own identity. If those who came then were still alive they probably would be very happy, but happier still are we the Timorese people.

Timor exists because there is Oecusse. Congratulations to Oecusse. But this initiative also marks the intention and collective will to integrate our economy in the region and worldwide. Because every sovereign constitutional body present here, including the president, demonstrate the importance of this project.

The President already visited the interior of Timor over 300 times. When in contact with the population, the President sees that the income of the population is quite low, and this influences their living conditions very negatively. On the other hand, low productivity creates dependency for Timor-Leste, a strong external dependency. A nation that is hardy, sustains itself and asserts itself as a nation with a voice and space in the region and the world. For this reason, the President, despite being aware of the risks that this project carries, the president does not want to be an obstacle to the development of the Special Zone of Social Market Economy ( ZEESM ).

But the president also says that the first intention of the President is that all development should be inclusive, and I 'm happy with the new concept in this case, the innovation that leads Timor in that it includes the concept of social development in this special economic area. Secondly sustainability. A nation that does not produce is unable to sustain itself. Timor-Leste is determined to advance, develop Timor according to the wishes of the people and not according to what the leaders think and like. To do what leaders want is one thing, what the people need is another. But the two factors are complimentary because one indicates the dream, and the other indicates the practical implementation to address the interests and concerns of citizens on a day -to-day basis. Thirdly; accuracy and quality. The President regrets that after 12 years of experience, Timor-Leste continues to learn.

Recently, the president spoke to the intellectuals Oecusse, and the President said yes, Timor has many intellectuals but there are few who can solve. The President asked everyone to support this initiative, dedicated with love and passion for this project to go ahead.

Moreover, the President hopes this project, located in Oecusse, will deliver benefits for the people of Oecusse. The President wants it to also benefit the whole of the country; and of course efforts will be made to see what can be done for them ( the rest of Timor-Leste ), so people cannot say that Oecussi is the "Golden Child" of the Timor-Leste's leaders.

On the other aspect, the President wants to support this initiative of the Timorese, Indonesian and Australian governments, to talk about the concept of triangular development. Timor-Leste has 1 million inhabitants, and is framed in the context of a triangular reach of over a 20 million people market, which means that the development of Oecusse can benefitting NTT, NTB and Maluco Islands so they can feel that globalization makes sense, even more broadly, in a context of a new era.

It is no coincidence that the Timorese state names founding as a country of George Washington to lead this project is because the Timorese state is determined and do not want to fail.

The President shall give to all who can help this process go because deep Timor wants to conquer your space in the region and the world, and wants to have a voice and integrate the economic space in the region and the world.

Timor is small but it is getting gaining strength, prestige and affirmation as a responsible nation, a nation that has the capacity and which can contribute to social harmony in the region and worldwide.

For this reason, Dr Mari Alkatiri has my support. It will not be easy, but as I have said many times to people, it is a great lesson to pass from generation to generation, that those who came before us were not afraid of challenges, they faced and overcame those challenges. I believe we will succeed in this project. Because whoever is willing and wants to, will win. And Timor has and wants to win.  (End)