TLForAffairs: Zacarias Albano da Costa retains the full exercise of his portfolio

Ministério dos Negócios Estrangeiros
Gabinete do Ministro

PRESS RELEASE

Díli, 12 de April 2010

 Following some media reports of the last few days, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Zacarias Albano da Costa wishes to make clear the following:

 The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Zacarias Albano da Costa retains the full exercise of his portfolio and affirms as he always has, his loyalty to H. E. the Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao;

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Zacarias Albano da Costa awaits a meeting with H. E. the Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao;

Under the Constitution of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, it is the prerogative of the President to appoint, swear in and dismiss members of the Government at the proposal of the Prime Minister;

Thus, all news reports which are not in accordance with the constitutional provisions referred to above shall not be understood as anything other than divisionist maneuvers intended to promote instability contrary to the highest interest of the nation ;

  * The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Zacarias Albano da Costa remains firm in not letting himself tangled up in back stage actions meant to satisfy personal ambitions ;
 The Minister for Foreign Affairs takes notice of the so –called “credible sources” being quoted in media reports that continue to be disseminated in the media allegedly from the Office of the Prime Minister or the Secretary of State of the Council of Ministers, without there being a named source.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, as party leader of a political party which is part of  the AMP, is fully aware of his ministerial and party responsibilities.

  * The Minister for Foreign Affairs reaffirms that it is the exclusive competence of H.E.  The Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao and the Prime Minister only to   resolve all matters in relation to Cabinet members.

For more information please contact: :

Maria-Gabriela Carrascalao H.
Assessora de imprensa
Gabinete do Ministro
Ministério dos Negócios Estrangeiros

Email : mgabrielacarrascalaoh@gmail.com
tel .(670) 730 4231   ou   (670) 723 5288