Government organizes a Friendly March on the 11th Anniversary of the Popular Consultation
To celebrate the 30th of August 1999 Popular Consultation Anniversary – day when the People of Timor-Leste expressed its choice for Independence – the Government, through the Ministry of State Administration and Territorial Planning, organized a Friendly March, in Díli.
The walk began at the Presidential Palace, in Aitarak-laran, and ended in the Campo da Democracia, having been accompanied by the Saint Michael College Band. Besides the Friendly March other activities were carried out such as: traditional games, lotteries and a concert, which counted with the participation of Timorese music groups.
The Minister of State Administration and Territorial Planning, in he’s speech, started by congratulating all the People of Timor-Leste for the Popular Consultation’s 11th Anniversary. Arcângelo Leite informed that “starting this year, the government is planning to celebrate the Popular Consultation with non official ceremonies, such as the exhibition of sport and musical arts, witin the scope of increasing capacity of our artists”.
The President of the Republic, José Ramos-Horta, underlined the importance of the celebrated date and spoke directly to the young people, asking for their commitment in their studies, stating that “if they don’t do it, they may regret it. And when ten years have passed and you look back you may think: if I had dedicated myself to the studies, today I would conclude my masters”. The Chief of State asked the youth for a bigger effort “so that in the future they may be great persons and your Family, Village, Suco and Nation may be proud of you”.
Besides the President of the Republic and the Minister of State Administration and Territorial Planning, participating in this Friendly March were the UNMIT representative, Fien Riesken Nelsen, the Secretary of State for Administrative Reform, Florindo Pereira, the Secretary of State for Promotion of Equality, Idelta Maria Rodrigues, the Secretary of State for Public Works, Domingos Caeiro, and the F-FDTL Brigadier-General, Lere Anan Timur.
