Timor-Leste Government says reforms have contributed to a new level of peace

The Secretary of State for the Council of Ministers and
Official Spokesperson for the Government of Timor-Leste Agio Pereira
December 13, 2009 D?li, Timor-Leste Government says reforms have contributed to a new level of peace in Timor-Leste The joint announcement that Australia would reduce troops by one third, (250 officers) was a clear indication that both nations are confident in the ongoing stability in Timor-Leste.

Secretary of State Agio Pereira says that reforms across Government and improvements in security, combined with strong social policies and significant economic growth have all contributed to a ?new Timor-Leste?.
One of the most important reforms was Decree Law 31/2008, which established the organic structure of the Ministry of Security and Defense, thus uniting the two forces who had been divided in the past under one Ministry. In 2009, The Secretariat for Defense recruited 600
new personnel, training was completed for 100 sergeants and 500 received training for other ranks under the new career regime. The FdTL built the capacity to engage in exercises with friendly forces including the ISF and US Marines.

The PNTL have already resumed primary policing duties in Lautem, Oecusse, Manatuto, Viqueque and the Police Training Centre. On the 14th of December is the handover of the Maritime Unit and on December 18th the handover for the Strategic Information Department. One hundred police officers across the 13 districts have attended leadership training at the Jakarta Centre for Law Enforcement and in 2010, some 300 new recruits will be inducted into the force.

Implementing career regimes based on a meritocratic system, pay increases, extensive technical and human rights training and mandatory disassociation with political affiliation has strengthened and professionalized the armed services; bringing a renewed confidence
into the communities of Timor-Leste.

Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao has always stressed the relevance of economic development as a necessary foundation in ensuring national stability. When the Government took office the highly centralized systems had immobilized services, especially outside D?li, economic growth was in a downturn and poverty had doubled.

The Governments? arduous decentralization reforms across line ministries delivered more effective and efficient services to the people; particularly in areas like health, education, justice and finance. Pensions gave relief to the most vulnerable and even though in
December 2008, Timor-Leste was included on Relief Web?s Statement of Complex Emergency, titled Global Food Crisis (CE) - listing countries that could be severely affected by the Global food crisis emergency: the Government?s efforts to purchase and subsidize
food products, mainly rice, to ensure food security and the adequate delivery of supplies to Timor-Leste averted this crisis. The nation avoided the riots, looting and violence which occurred in many countries due to food shortages.

Secretary of State Agio Pereira noted ?As 2009 comes to a close, we must pay due credit to the discipline, dedication, and hard work of the men and woman of the armed services in Timor-Leste for taking ownership, responsibility and accountability of the nations? safety
and future.

??We also pay due credit to members of the ISF who have supported Timor-Leste. The collective effort has brought to our people a ?new Timor-Leste?; a country that can now grow within a peaceful and stable environment.?

?Although our nation has a long journey ahead, the successes thus far in establishing a level of both economic stability and national security re- enforce the fact that the policies of the Xanana Gusmao Government are contributing to the betterment of the nation and the people.? ENDS
For More Information Please Contact: Agio Pereira +670 723 0011
E-mail: agiopereira@cdm.gov.tl