The State of Timor-Leste celebrated on Tuesday, 20 August of 2013, the 38th anniversary of the Armed Front for the National Liberation of Timor-Leste (FALINTL), in the Suco of Betano, sub-district of Manufahi, district of Same. The ceremony included the second demobilization of Former Combatants of National Liberation. In total 221 former combatants (56 women and 165 men from the 13 districts) were demobilized.
The President of the Republic, Taur Matan Ruak, in his speech said, “38 years ago, the FALINTIL was born from a civil war that brought many difficulties and suffering to the Timorese, and the country has opened up a new path in its history. I pay tribute to the memory of those who died in this war and my respect for the families of both sides involved in the fight, Fretilin and UDT. I pay my respect and tribute to the late Francisco Xavier do Amaral, to Nicolau dos Reis Lobato and to the other combatant martyrs of the war”.
Taur Matan Ruak welcomed the surviving leaders, Xanana Gusmao, Ma ‘Hunu, Mari Alkatiri and Jose Ramos-Horta, who continue to work tirelessly to build this young nation. He also thanked to the demobilized combatants for continuing never stopping to resist and to dream of creating a free and prosperous nation.
“We still need a long time to achieve prosperity and well-being. We need new achievements, and new sacrifices. We must be determined to fight for the development of our country as we were during the liberation struggle”, said the former commander of the F-FTDL.
Taur Matan Ruak further pointed out that “at this moment, the Falintil-FDTL are adapting to the new reality and the new conditions. In Timor-Leste there is safety thanks to the military dispersed throughout the national territory. They defend the people, the land, the sea and the sky. The F-FDTL continue to empower themselves through training both nationally and internationally. The F-FDTL has established cooperation agreements with other countries, especially its neighbors and the countries of the CPLP.
The President concluded by appealing to a joint effort: “The development projects will not arise by themselves, it is necessary to work hard and keep the spirit of sacrifice. We have to be united and work together to develop our country, contributing to the progress of the economy and ensure a better life for the Timorese “.
Present at the ceremony were the Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, the Vice-Prime Minister, Fernando La Sama de Araújo, the President of the National Parliament, Vicente Guterres, the Vice-President of the National Parliament, Adriano do Nascimento, the President the Court of Appeal, Cláudio Ximenes, the Major General of the F-FDTL, Major General Lere Anan Timur, the Commander General of the National Police of Timor-Leste, Commissioner Longuinhos Monteiro, Foreign Ambassadors, the civil society and the community of Manufahi.