POUPANÇA NO MINUTO
CLASSIFICADOS AUTO
Agreement for referendum in East Timor was a 'beacon of hope' 25 years ago
Timorese MP David Dias Ximenes considered today that the signing of the agreement between Portugal and Indonesia, at the United Nations, for the holding of a referendum on the self-determination of East Timor was a "light of hope".
© Lusa
Mundo Timor-Leste
"It was a way for us to free ourselves from military oppression, it meant that at the end of the tunnel there was already a light of hope, joy, as is evident, but it was a process", said David Dias Ximenes, "Mandati", coordinator of the 1999 referendum and deputy of the Revolutionary Front for an Independent East Timor (Fretilin).
On 5 May 1999, Portugal and Indonesia signed an agreement at the United Nations that determined a referendum on the self-determination of East Timor.
The Portuguese side was represented by Jaime Gama, then Minister of Foreign Affairs of Portugal, and by his Indonesian counterpart, Ali Alatas, and by Kofi Annan, former Secretary-General of the United Nations.
The agreement determined the holding of the referendum, organised by the United Nations, and the Timorese had to answer whether they accepted a "special autonomy" integrating Indonesia or if they rejected it, "leading to the separation of East Timor from Indonesia".
More than 78% of the Timorese rejected the "special autonomy", leading to the restoration of the country's independence.
The announcement of the discussions between Portugal and Indonesia led to an increase in violence in East Timor, which intensified even more after the announcement of the referendum result.
"We knew very well that when the security of the process was handed over to Indonesia it was the same as putting the thief to guard the house, but, nevertheless, it was a process that we had to hold on to so that the solution would not be further prolonged", said the former member of the Timorese Clandestine Front.
David Dias Ximenes stressed that the Timorese held on to the "process" and that despite being a "risky situation" they had to accept it.
"We usually say that when we want something it is with sweat and tears, here it was with a lot of blood, sweat and tears", lamented the deputy, considering, however, that it was an "opportunity" and that they could not deny it.
With the result of the referendum, Indonesia abandoned East Timor with the pro-Indonesian militias leaving a trail of horror and violence and the United Nations transitional authority entered, which managed the country until the restoration of independence, on 20 May 2002.
Read Also: Signing of agreement for referendum in East Timor was "light of hope" (Portuguese version)
Descarregue a nossa App gratuita.
Oitavo ano consecutivo Escolha do Consumidor para Imprensa Online e eleito o produto do ano 2024.
* Estudo da e Netsonda, nov. e dez. 2023 produtodoano- pt.com
Recomendados para si
Classificados Auto
Leia Também
Últimas Notícias
Mais lidas
- Última hora
- Dia
- Semana
-
1
desporto Liga das Nações
Pânico nos Países Baixos. Jogo com Hungria suspenso por emergência médica
-
2
lifestyle Signos
Vem aí uma etapa de superação que vai pôr três signos à prova
-
3
cultura Eurovisão Júnior
Portugal em 2.º lugar na Eurovisão Júnior. É o melhor resultado de sempre
-
4
lifestyle Fitness
-
5
pais Gouveia e Melo
Trânsito de navios russos na costa de Portugal é "cada vez mais intenso"
-
6
lifestyle Dicas e truques de jardinagem
Tem de parar de deitar fora as cascas do ovo. São preciosas!
-
7
desporto Liga das Nações
As impactantes imagens da emergência médica que suspendeu jogo da Hungria
-
8
lifestyle Gastronomia
Melhor queijo do mundo é de ovelha, amanteigado… e português
-
9
desporto Hóquei em Patins
Choque total. Sporting sofre primeira derrota (e por números expressivos)
-
10
mundo Ucrânia
