Australia and Portugal
General Prosecutor receives donations for Peace Memorial
On the 13 May 2005, the General Prosecutor of Timor
Leste, Dr. Longuinhos Monteiro, has received the Ambassadors from
Australia and Portugal. The diplomats, Margaret Towmey and João
Ramos Pinto, came to bring, in person, the contribution of 5 000
USD each, from their governments to the "Peace Memorial"
(Memorial da Paz).
"One more contribution from Australia to peace
and reconciliation", said Margaret Towmey in the presence of
the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General,
Mr. Sukehiro Hasegawa. "Portugal wants to join in this homage
to those who suffered to achieve peace in your country", stated
Ramos Pinto. The General prosecutor underlined that the Peace Memorial
will be "a symbol not only to pay respect to the past but of
our
[Timorese people] whishes for the future".
The inauguration of the monument is scheduled for
the 26th of May. The "Memorial da Paz", which is being
built in Dili in the Jardim da Paz (in front of the Bishop`s residence),
is a project of the Serious Crimes Unit to honor all the people
that suffered in the struggle for peace in Timor Leste. With its
mandate coming to an end in May 20th, the SCU, that was created
to bring to justice the responsible for the Crimes Against Humanity
committed in 1999, in Timor Leste, wanted to leave a physical testimony
of the dedication to peace and justice with witch its staff carried
out the mandate.
Besides the two referred countries, the SCU/Office
of the General Prosecutor has already received the generous contributions
of the Governments of China (2,000 USD), Ireland (5,000 USD), New
Zealand (2,000
USD), United Kingdom (5,000£), the Northern Territory Government
of Australia (5,000 USD), USAID (15,000 USD) and of the companies
ConocoPhillips (2000USD), CHC Helicopters (1,500 USD), The Esplanade
Hotel
(2000 USD) and the remarkable commitment, material and work from
JMS ENGINEERING.
The Peace Memorial has the support of His Excellency,
the President of the Republic of Timor Leste, Xanana Gusmão,
who suggested the name "Memorial da Paz", and of the Prime-Minister
Mari Alkatiri. The Commissioners of the Comissão de Acolhimento,
Verdade e Reconciliação (CAVR) have also expressed
their content about this project that in their understanding can
bring a sense of closure to the families who lost their relatives.
Tomorrow, 14th May, at 10 am, at Cacaulido Cemetery
in Dili, the SCU an the RDTL General Prosecutor are conducting a
public ceremony for the interment of the unidentified victims that
were still in the mortuary facilities of the Serious Crimes Unit.
End
