Timor Leste president said dialogue is necessary to obtain peace

Miami
August 12, 2008
Story: Timor Leste president said dialogue is necessary to obtain peace

Timor Leste (formerly known as East Timor) President Jose Ramos-Horta was invited for the 20th Anniversary of the Initiatives for International Dialogue (IID) to give talk with regards to solidarity.

The theme of his talk is called; “South-to-South People’s Solidarity: The East Timor Experience”

On his talk the President said he does not believe in enforcing violence just to obtain what people wants.

“Essential elements in nation building and having peace are patience, prudence and humility must be observed to obtain peace,” Horta said.

He added that if a nation will not talk to settle their indifferences, the more problems will occur. “When we believe in force, we will often lead to temptation in doing something wrong.”

“If you do not talk to settle things, you will see war that will last 100 years. Do not waste time do not waste people’s lives do not destroy your country, by having force. Start it with dialogue,” Horta told the people who attended his speech at Malcolm Hall or Law building in university of the Philippines-Diliman last August 11, Monday.

Those who attended the speech of Horta were students and faculty members of the College of Law of the said school.

He also emphasize, “In a speech I made in Columbia University before, I told them I don’t believe in an ideology, if part of the plan is to kill people especially the innocent ones.”

He also said that it is a huge task for their country, people and government to build their country and he said that they deal the worst including creating jobs to reduce poverty and to strengthen their institution.