Ramos-Horta Meets Colin Powell, Condoleeza Rice, Congressional Leaders and Addresses Public Forum

Thursday, 8 May 2003

This is a busy week for Timor-Leste in the American capital. Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Dr. José Ramos-Horta and Bishop Basilio Nascimento are both in Washington this week.

Dr. Ramos-Horta is the honor guest of the American Jewish Committee (AJC) at its annual meeting being held in Washington. Bishop Basílio de Nascimento is on a separate visit to the US at the invitation of the Fundação Luso-Americano para o Desenvolimento. The two Timorese leaders have been busy meeting with a wide range of senior officials in the Administration and Congress.

Today May 8th, Ambassador Jose Luis Guterres will present his credentials to President George W Bush as the first Timor-Leste's Ambassador to the US.

Yesterday May 7th Dr Ramos-Horta spoke to a gathering of several hundred prominent Jewish leaders from the US and around the word on the topic "Perceptions of the US in the World". Dr Ramos-Horta will share his views on how the US is perceived in the world and how it could work towards promoting a more compassionate and humane world.

Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Minister Dr Ramos-Horta met yesterday May 6th with Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), the highest ranking woman in the history of the US Congress, a long-standing friend and supporter of Timor-Leste. Bishop Basilio was also present in the meeting.

The two East Timorese leaders thanked Congresswoman Pelosi for steady US support to Timor-Leste's freedom and economic recovery and pleaded for continuing level support. More meetings are scheduled in the Congress.

Dr Ramos-Horta today May 8th meet with Dr. Condoleezza Rice, the National Security Advisor to President George W Bush, and ending his visit to Washington Friday will meet with Secretary of State Colin Powel.

This morning, Dr Ramos-Horta met with the Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and Pacific Affairs Mr James Kelly.

Yesterday, Dr. Ramos-Horta met with senior USAID officials. In the course of all his meetings, Timor-Leste's Senior Minister appealed for continuing support and a review of the current allocation of the funds. According to Dr. Ramos-Horta more funds should be allocated to the economy sector focusing on job creation programs for veterans and the youth.

"Of the $25 million earmarked for 2003, a disproportionate amount has been allocated to Democracy and Governance. Other donors are also supporting this sector. I think we are having an over-dose of democracy and governance. I prefer to see more money going into job creation and poverty reduction. While democracy and governance are essential for peace, stability and investors confidence, I think that donors should allocate more funds to boost the economy, help the rural poor, support education and public health", Dr Ramos-Horta said.