PRESIDENT XANANA GUSMÃO TO RECEIVE NEW PALESTINIAN AMBASSADOR

Dili, 01 March 2004
H.E. President Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão will receive the letter of credentials of the Ambassador of Palestine to Timor-Leste, H.E. Mr. Ali Kazak tomorrow at 9am in Dili.

Ambassador Ali Kazak is Head of the General Palestinian Delegation’s regional mission to Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific Region. He is also Ambassador of Palestine to Vanuatu and Ambassador-designate to Papua New Guinea. As of tomorrow, his accreditation will include Timor-Leste.

Ambassador Kazak, a graduate of Damascus University, joined the Palestinian Liberation Organisation in 1968, whilst still a student in Syria, where his family had sought exile. The Palestinian-born Ambassador migrated to Australia in 1970 and has been prominent in the defence of Palestinian national and human rights for thirty-two years, representing Palestine at numerous national and international conferences and forums on the Palestine question, in addition to writing several articles on related topics.

“We are pleased today to be establishing diplomatic relations with Palestine at the ambassadorial level. As a newly-independent nation which fought so long for our fundamental right to self-determination, we hope that the Palestinian people can achieve the rights that they are fighting for. We appeal to both parties of the Middle East conflict to seek a peaceful and comprehensive solution for the well-being of both peoples”, stated President Xanana Gusmão.