Recognition and demobilization Ceremony of former combatants of the Armed Forces of the Timor-Leste Resistance
On August 20, Timor-Leste celebrated the 36th Anniversary of FALINTIL, along with the ceremony of recognition of merits provided and demobilization of members of the Armed Resistance Front, at the Government Palace.
The ceremony was presided by the President, José Ramos-Horta,for the following: hoisting of the National Flag, the symbolic delivery of the weapons used during the guerrilla, by Falintil former commander, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão and Major-General Taur Matan Ruak, to the Head of State; the delivery of the celebration badges and medals of honor to veterans of the Nation, with the top, middle and lower level.
Awarded with the top grade were the current Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, Mauhuno, Major-General of the F-FDTL, Taur Matan Ruak, the President of Fretilin, Francisco Guterres Lu'Olo and Brigadier General of the F-FDTL, Lere Anan Timor.
In his speech, José Ramos-Horta highlighted that “The Armed Front, which acted for over twenty years as a courier of the crest of our Homeland’s Liberty, became an underground light that illuminated the heart of the community in the struggle for the Timorese release.
It was the Armed Front that encouraged the existence of other fronts, namely the Diplomatic Front which, slowly but surely, year after year, gained the world's sympathy and support for our struggle, given the need to listen and respect the Timorese right for self-determination.
The Clandestine Front expanded the resistance from the mountains to homes, towns and cities, transforming our increasingly diverse resistance by pressing the occupying forces. We will give our tribute, in this first ceremony, to the two hundred and thirty six men and women, of the former guerrilla force who served over the 15 to 24 years in the Armed Front ".
The President recalled that "the guerrillas acted with modesty, courage, determination, ready to risk their own life, year after year, holding firmly and aspiring for independence.
Among the warriors, soldiers and civilians were also distinguished, who acted as the forefront of the military FALINTIL, knowing how to assist and make room for the operation of our forces. Our testimony and our gratitude will rise in strength and encouragement in the upcoming ceremonies taking place in other locations, because our veterans are scattered throughout the territory East Timor-Leste.
The armed forces reflect the mutual cooperation, in a spirit of brotherhood, between civilians and military, when providing their services. The unity and sacrifice towards the liberation of the People is now a great lesson provided by FALINTIL to us and will guide the newly integrated members of the F-FDTL. FALINTIL, Defense Forces of Timor-Leste, are in a phase of renewal and modernization. Under the leadership of our brother Taur Matan Ruak, the F-FDTL are currently undergoing a transformation to become a modern, professional and able force to fulfill a new mission: to protect the sovereignty of the freed homeland. "
Participating in the commemoration ceremonies were the President of the National Parliament, Fernando Lasama de Araújo, the President of the Court of Appeal, Cláudio Ximenes, the Vice Prime Minister, José Luís Guterres, the Attorney General, Ana Pessoa, the Reverend Bishop of the Maliana Diocese, D. Norberto Amaral, the Vicar General of the Díli Diocese, the members of the Government and the Parliament, the Indonesia Minister of Defense and his delegation, the Angolan delegation and members of the diplomatic corp and other guests.
