New Appointment for MFAC
30 April 2003
The Senior Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Dr.Jose Ramos-Horta, has appointed Mr. Roberto Soares Cabral as Spokesperson for Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation.
At the same time, Mr. Cabral will assume the function of Acting Director General from 01 May to 30 August 2003, as well as continue with his current position of the Director for the Division of Regional Affairs.
"This is a challenging role which requires strong management and leadership skills as well as a level of sophistication in diplomacy", stated Mr. Cabral.
He recognised that: "It would not be easy to be Acting Director General and at the same time the Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation. Nevertheless, it is crucial for the public to be aware of the daily operation of this Ministry. Even though it maybe difficult but I will do my best to organize my schedule in such a way that all positions will be performed in an efficient manner", added Mr. Soares.
In January 2003, the Ministry created an Executive Team made up of three Coordinating Directors, who would each take turns, for a period of four months at a time, to act as Director General. The first Acting Director General, for the period of 01 January to 30 April 2003 was Ms Vicky Tchong. Ms. Tchong will now resume her role as the Coordinating Director for Consular Affairs, Administration and Human Resources.
According to Ms. Tchong: "As the Acting Director General in the last three months, I was exposed to a wide variety of experiences, which have enriched my understanding of issues facing our new country and enhanced my abilities to play an active role in the management of the day to day works of the Ministry".
"I am confident that the new Acting Director General will bring to this Ministry his experience and wisdom. There are things that still require improvement and development; I will continue to work closely with all my colleagues to achieve a professionally managed and well equipped Ministry", Ms. Tchong affirmed.
Mr. Cabral was born in Quilicai/Baucau, and he is a survivor of the Santa Cruz Massacre of 12 November 1991. As a former Seminarian, Mr. Cabral earned his Diploma in Associate Philosophy and Theology in the Philippines in 1998. Mr. Cabral joined the Ministry in 2000; he has since attended several International Diplomatic Courses both in Timor-Leste and abroad. Most recently he became one of the "Fellows" of the Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies and is the first East Timorese to graduate from the College of Security Studies in Hawaii, USA.