H.E. PRESIDENT GUSMÃO TO VISIT KOREA AND MOZAMBIQUE

Dili, 10 June 2004
H.E. President Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão will depart Dili tomorrow morning for visits to the the Republic of Korea and Mozambique from 11th to 28th of June, 2004.

The President begins his overseas travels with a four day working visit to Korea, where he will visit the cities of Suncheon and Seoul. On Saturday 12th June, President Gusmão will receive an Honorary Law Doctorate Degree from Sunchon National University in Suncheon, in recognition for his contributions to world peace and reconciliation among people. The President will deliver his acceptance speech on the theme of “The Trend of World Peace Movement the Timor-Leste Experience”.

While in Suncheon, H.E President Xanana Gusmão will attend and deliver congratulatory remarks at the World Championship of Taekwondo, Timor-Leste Cultural Performance Festival and the Friendly Soccer Match between Korea and Timor-Leste. President Xanana Gusmão, who will be accompanied by the Timor-Leste University Students’ football team, is expected to kick a goal for World Peace at half-time. On Monday 14th June, President Gusmão will meet with former Korean President Kim Dae Jung in Seoul. Later that day, the President will deliver another lecture at Sang-Myung University in Seoul on the theme of Peace and Reconciliation.

The Republic of Korea has been a consistent development partner of Timor-Leste since 1999. During the UNTAET and first UNMISET Missions, Korea contributed to the peace keeping operations with 3200 troops. The Korean Government, through its aid agency KOICA, has also provided assistance to the Government of Timor-Leste to the total of USD 6.2 million, focusing its support in the areas of human resources and rural development, sports and community voluntary services. The Timor-Leste University Student Football Team’s visit is being sponsored by Korea.

From Korea, President Xanana Gusmão heads to Mozambique. At the invitation of the Government of Mozambique, President Xanana Gusmão will pay his first State visit to Maputo from 17th18th June, where he will be received with full ceremonial honours upon arrival. A State banquet will be hosted by H.E. President Joaquim Chissano of Mozambique in honour of President Gusmão’s visit. President Gusmão will also be attending the Fourth ACP (African, Caribbean and Pacific) Heads of States Summit to be held in Maputo from 22nd-24th June.

While in Mozambique President Xanana Gusmão will be joined by Their Excellencies, Mrs. Ana Pessoa Pinto, Minister for State and Mr. Olimpio Branco, Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation. The ACP 4th Summit of Heads of States and Governments will focus on the issue of “Togetherness, Shaping our Future”. This will be second time that Timor-Leste will participate at the ACP Summit, with President Gusmão having led the Timorese delegation at the last ACP Heads of State Summit in Fiji in July 2002.

Timor-Leste and Mozambique share a unique and strong bond of profound friendship and solidarity. The People and Government of Mozambique have been long-time supporters of Timor-Leste’s right to self-determination and independence. Mozambique is also home to a significant number of Timorese. The State visit by President Gusmão will serve to strengthen the fraternal ties between both countries and seek areas on which to build further cooperation.

H.E President Gusmão will also attend the Independence Day celebrations for Mozambique on the 25th of June before departing for Timor-Leste.

The presidential delegation is expected to return to Dili on Monday, 28th June.

A Press Conference will be held at the Dili International Airport upon departure and arrival of the President. Only media personnel accredited with the Office of the President will be granted access to the conference.