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April 28, 2007 - Ramos-Horta today held an informal rally in his hometown of Dili, at the Tambeesi Markets, attended by several hundred children, youths and their parents from the local community.
Ramos-Horta arrived on foot surrounded by a large crowd of children chanting ‘Viva Ramos-Horta’
Reminiscing on his childhood experiences, growing up in the area, he said that he could relate to the many children that had turned out in the humid heat to see Ramos-Horta speak. “Alkatiri would be very scared if he knew I was campaigning like this here,” stated Ramos-Horta.
His statement that if they wanted Alkatiri to still be in power in five years time they should vote for Lu’Olo was met with a loud cry of, “No, we don’t want – we have suffered enough,” from the crowd.
Ramos-Horta spoke of the government, which he accepted had done many things, just not enough for the people. “Our Government has created many conflicts,” he said, “with the Church, with the Military. Much is still the same as it was in 2003, they have not restored peace, inmproved security or eased poverty.
“We have reserves of money that are not being spent, thay have failed to manage their budgets and failed to implement strategies to ease unemployment and reduce poverty. Our regional administrations have not been made to work together, there is no co-operation within this Government.
The Fretilin party has not managed to keep itself together, people are unhappy with the people within the party and it has fractionalised.
Fretilin has also marginalised the Church, and institution that has been central to the lives of the East Timorese for 500 years. Throughout the resistance the Church always supported the people, they need to involved, with the Government, to bring peace to our country.
Today with the launch of the CNRT we hop to see unity and co-operation once more in government, so that people will work together to build a btter future. There are many intelligent people in East Timor, and CNRT will give them hope and opportunity, helping them prepare for work in Government. CNRT will accept all parties, including Fretilin.
As I say many times, I am not against Fretilin, I was a co-founder of the party – I am just against what the leadership of the party has turned it into. It is the people, not the party that are the problem.
I recognise that as President I will not have the power to manage the budgets, and implement policy – but I will have a voice, and I will be the voice of the people and speak out in their interests.
I will call for centres to provide access to books and the internet in our communities, to help our youth learn about the world around us and learn about technology. We need to help our people to learn.
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