13th Anniversary of the Popular Consultation
On Thursday, 30th of August 2012, at the Government Palace, in the capital Dili, Timor-Leste celebrated the 13th anniversary of the Popular Consultation.
In the words of the President, Taur Matan Ruak, "The day of the consultation became the day of our people’s self-determination. Today we celebrate the 13th anniversary of this date, which marked a key turning point in our History. Let us then use our independence as an instrument to combat hunger, malnutrition and poverty, which continues to hamper the development of our children in the villages, and may we gradually lead all the Timorese families to prosperity".
Taur Matan Ruak went on to add that achieving these goals is only possible through the contribution and participation of all citizens, because the development is not something exclusive to the State. "To achieve economic independence, we have to be united, because if we are to win the prosperity struggle we must work honestly, and live in a more modest way," he said.
In addition, the Head of State called on the "government and the people, to work in a spirit of sacrifice, to reduce poverty, and use the country's wealth to build a country that is more developed; a Timor-Leste that is more prosperous for all Timorese. "
The ceremony was chaired by the President of the Republic, Taur Matan Ruak, and was attended by the Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão; the President of the Court of Appeal, Claudio Ximenes; the Chief of Staff of F-FDTL, Major-General Lere Anan Timur; the Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs of Portugal, Miguel Relvas; the representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations in Timor-Leste, Finn Rieske Nielsen; the UNPOL Commissioner, Luis Carrilho; the former and present members of the Government, as well as members of the Diplomatic Corps, veterans and the people.
