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CNRT Makes Veteran Affairs A Priority For National Unity
Dili – 7th June 2007
In planning to make payments to some alleged 60,000 potential voters, the rumour proves to be the most offensive political propaganda from Fretilin to date. It is offensive to the intelligence and integrity of the brave men and women of a war torn country, it is particularly offensive to His Excellency Xanana Gusmao who has personally and tirelessly championed the cause for the veterans of East Timor despite the intractable inaction of a hostile Fretilin government.
His Excellency President Xanana Gusmao, leader of the CNRT Party, today called for public consultation in the production of a sustainable approach to Veteran welfare. Seven years on from independence, the Veterans of the 24-year struggle for independence still await financial recognition, in stark contrast to a Government that has wasted no time in rewarding itself with a luxury benefits and pension legislation for life after serving only five years in government.
CNRT will make veteran affairs a national priority, and it will be done under the proper supervision of qualified professionals with a holistic approach to veteran issues. It will be done in partnership with established global organizations who have established similar units.
One of Xanana Gusmao’s primary concerns upon election into the post of President of East Timor was to focus on Veteran affairs and reconciliation, in line with the constitutional duties of the Presidency. One of his first acts as President was to call for a Governmental commission to review the role of Timorese citizens in the resistance. It was recognised that people played many roles; either armed, clandestine or international fighters for freedom.
It was essential to the process to establish a database of veterans of all types, and validate the level and length of their involvement in the fight for freedom. This was no small feat, taking three years, and required the active involvement of the citizens of East Timor to recognise the people in their communities that had dedicated or lost their lives to the battle for independence.
No government funding was forthcoming to set up the commission, and Gusmao was forced to procure funds from international organizations such as the World Bank. In 2002 the World Bank funded Commission for Veteran Affairs was established to investigate the role of veterans involved in both armed and clandestine operations.
Citizens were invited to register their involvement in the fight for independence, resulting in a database of some 75 thousand inquiries over a three-year period. The resulting databases were then distributed to the Sucos for the citizens to view and assess, allowing the people to recognise their own heroes and verify the truth in the claims of those registered. Gusmao called for UNDP and unilateral support for the commission that was again not forthcoming.
In 2005 the Fretilin Government passed legislation setting guidelines of the classification of a Veteran. This legislation was flawed and complex, making the task of identifying and qualifying a veteran difficult for the people to understand, and meaning that many people who fought from a young age for their country were not adequately recognised for their contribution.
Xanana Gusmao continued his work through five commissions, having to source independent funding for each, and this eventually resulted in veterans being awarded medals in November and December 2006, with further presentations taking place in May 2007. The Commission of Veteran Affairs work is still underway on ratifying lists of contested claims, so that all those who should be recognised, will be.
To date no plan has been tabled or discussed by the Government on how it intends to handle the distribution of funds to the veterans. There has been no public consultation on the form that the financial compensation should take.
This is typical of a Government that has proved to be more focused on self-service rather than on service, looking after the needs of the poor citizens of East Timor. This was demonstrated in 2002, when China offered to build 100 houses for veterans of the fight for independence. The Fretilin Government failed to identify suitable land for the construction, and failed to identify 100 veterans who could have received housing and took five years to decide they wanted to do something different.
His excellency, president Xanana Gusmao stated, “This has to be a priority of Government, to utilise the results of the exhaustive work of the commission to recognise the Veterans of our fight for independence and provide them and their families with financial security. Many gave their lives in our long struggle, and to date their families remain in poverty with no assistance from the government. This will be a priority of my administration and we will work tirelessly upon our election to make this a reality.
“We must consult on the best way to approach this and ensure that the Veterans programs allows these long suffering citizens to plan and build a sustainable future free from poverty and pain,” explained Gusmao,
Dionisio Babo Soares stated “CNRT proposes to establish a world class department of veterans affairs by establishing a strong national organization providing support services, pensions, and social systems to help the veterans through the process of peace and reconciliation. It will assist with the long overdue transition into daily civilian life process, and provide ongoing appropriate medical, emotional, social and educational initiatives, which go hand in hand with sustained and continued monetary support.
“Pensions are an integral part of allowing our brave men and woman to rebuild their lives, it is not compensation but recognition for work done. Consistency of support in all areas affecting quality of life, health and well-being is essential to rebuilding their lives and those of their families.”
Soares calls on Fretilin to recognise that this is a serious matter that has to be done through the appropriate channels, and not introduce a haphazard scheme, designed only to purchase political favour in the lead up to a monumental legislative election.
Ends.
For Further Information
E: info@cnrt-timor.org
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