CPLP Envoy Dr. Ramos-Horta Meets With Authorities in Guinea-Bissau

Senior Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Timor-Leste, Nobel Peace Price Laureate, a special envoy of the Community of Portuguese- speaking Countries (CPLP) to the conflict ridden African State, Guinea-Bissau arrived in Bissau three days ago.

Dr Ramos-Horta held dialogues with the President of Guiea-Bissau, Dr. Koumba Yala, Foreign Affairs Minister, Dra. Fatumata Djau Balde and opposition political parties. The country is holding legislative election planned for 12 of October 2003.

"The situation in Guinea-Bissau is extremely critical and needs the humanitarian assistance urgently", said Dr Horta. He also added that "There is a very high expectation from the population regarding this mission".

During Dr Ramos-Horta stay in Guinea-Bissau so far he has met with President of the High Court of Justice, Attorney General, President of the Civil Court and judges. He met Ambassadors of CPLP countries to listen to their opinion about the situation in the country. Dr Ramos-Horta also took the opportunity to meet with the Representative of the UN, Representative of the UNDP and the Representative of the EU.

Dr Ramos-Horta also met with civil society representatives such as Labour unions, religious leaders (Bishop of Guinea-Bissau, representatives from Muslin religious, representatives from Anglican Church) and also with members of the private sector. The Nobel Peace laureate will also have a dialogue with the West African country's armed forces leaders.

The members of the Dr Horta mission are Deputy Secretary of CPLP, Dr Severino Martins, Ambassador of RDTL in Lisbon, Dra. Pascoela Barreto and Chief of cabinet of the MNEC, Dra. Sonia Neto. After holding a press conference on 15 of August Minister Horta and his delegation will depart to Lisbon.