Today 2 February 2013, FALINTIL-Timor-Leste Defense Force (F-FDTL) commemorates its 12th anniversary at its Headquarters in Fatuhada under the theme: “F-FDTL must be humble to be able to serve the people and sacrifice itself to develop stability and security in Timor-Leste”.
For the F-FDTL Chief of General Staff, Lere Anan Timur, “this 12th anniversary of F-FDTL is a day for evaluating the development of the professionalism and consolidation of the institution along its 12 years of existence. Our force needs to be modernized, with adequate equipment, in order to be able to correspond to the demands of the people. We have to pay attention to our soldiers, providing them with good conditions so that they may work 24 hours at the service of the Nation and the people”.
Lere Anan Timur paid homage to the veterans for their contribution towards the development of the institution: “you have contributed for this institution with your physical, material and spiritual sacrifice, with your determination and resolve and, because of this, we have F-FDTL today”.
The President of the Republic, Taur Matan Ruak, in his capacity as the Supreme Commander of the Defense and Security Forces, stated in his speech that “since F-FDTL is a credible force with the responsibility to ensure peace and stability of the country and the people, it must continue to increase the capacity of its human resources”.
“My gratitude to the Timorese people who, in the past, as in the present and in the future, collaborate and extend their support to the maintenance of peace and stability, progress and development of the country. Although the development of F-FDTL is slow, there is progress in certain aspects, and other areas exist that still need to be developed and to increase their capacity”, the President of the Republic added.
The commemoration ceremony was also marked by the promotion of 13 F-FDTL members: 25 people were promoted from Captain to Lieutenant; 60 from to Second-Lieutenant to Lieutenant; 8 were promoted to Second-Lieutenant; 1 to sergeant; 4 to sergeant 1st class; 8 to Staff-sergeant; 2 to First Sergeant; 35 to corporal.