|---------------+---------------------------------|
|
| Office of the |
| Deputy General Prosecutor |
| for Serious Crimes |
|Timor Leste |
|---------------+---------------------------------|

SERIOUS CRIMES UNIT PRESS RELEASE

26 May 2005

SCU has inaugurated the "Memorial da Paz" A place to be used, to remember but also to think about the future

A place to remember those who suffered in the struggle for peace in Timor Leste but also a place to look towards the future. It was under this spirit that was inaugurated the "Memorial da Paz" (Peace Memorial) in the center of Dili, this Thursday, the 26 at 5pm. Presiding the ceremony was the Foreign Affair Minister, Dr. Ramos Horta, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General, Mr. Sukehiro Hasegawa, the General Prosecutor of Timor Leste, Dr. Longuinhos Monteiro and the Acting Deputy General for Serious Crimes, Mr. Marek Michon.

Before unveiling the plaque, the Foreign Affair Minister and Peace Nobel Prize winner, Dr. Ramos Horta, stated that he shared president Xanana Gusmão`s idea that this memorial should be a place were "people can
remember all those who suffered to achieve peace in the country, remember the importance of peace, reconciliation with the past, and also a place to look towards the future".

Representing the Serious Crimes Unit, the Acting Deputy General Prosecutor for Serious Crimes, Mr. Marek Michon, said that the intention of building this monument was "commemorate those who suffered for peace" and that the Unit wanted to "leave to the people of Timor Leste, a sign, which would be reminding that peace is one of the most important values of mankind". The Special Representative of the UN Secretary General, Mr. Sukehiro Hasegawa, underlined, that this monument is another testimony of the commitment of the international community towards Timor Leste, referring to the donors that have made it come true: the Governments of Australia, Portugal, China, Ireland, New Zealand, United Kingdom, the Northern Territory Government of Australia, USAID and of the companies ConocoPhillips, CHC Helicopters, The Esplanade Hotel and JMS ENGINEERING.

The "Memorial da Paz" has a circular shape with 16 m diameter with 4 entrances. In one of which lays an arch facing the sea. Below the arch there is a "wish box" where everybody can drop their thoughts about peace
and their wishes. There is also a place to light candles. Above this box we can read: "In honor of those who suffered in the struggle for peace and justice, "May they never be forgotten". On the exterior of the circle are
the names of all the 13 districts of Timor Leste and, in the center, the map of Timor Leste embraced by the "peace dove".

The Serious Crimes Unit`s mandate has ended on the 20th May, pursuant to UN Security Council Resolutions 1543 and 1573. In the next few weeks the UN Security Council will be discussing the future of the Serious Crimes Process in Timor Leste, after a Commission of Experts, sent to Dili and Jakarta to evaluate the process, presents its recommendations.

END