Timor-Leste New National Dialogue Initiative

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HD Centre Deputy Director Andrew Marshall with Timor-Leste Opposition Leader, Mari Alkatiri

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Dateline: Dili, 19 November 2008

Representatives of the Office of the President and the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD Centre) signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Dili, Wednesday 19 November 2008 establishing terms under which the HD Centre will provide assistance to the National Dialogue Process initiated and convened by the President Jose Ramos-Horta.

President Ramos-Horta and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao envisage that such a process will build and achieve consensus on issues of national importance, and ultimately contribute to the peace and prosperity of Timor-Leste.

Speaking at the signing ceremony at the President’s office in Dili, President Ramos-Horta said that he had asked the HD Centre to assist emerging leaders work together for the country’s benefit.

He said: “Peace is still fragile. I have asked the HD Centre to pay close attention to the second and third layers of the political elite, the emerging leaders. They need to start talking to each other.”

The President added that he had requested the HD Centre to establish a permanent presence in Timor-Leste because of their “…outstanding experience in creating ideas on ways to resolve issues when they develop.”

C. Andrew Marshall, Deputy Director of the Swiss-based mediation organisation, said: “We are honoured to be asked to facilitate this dialogue on critical issues of national importance.”

The Memorandum formalizes the HD Centre’s role in the national dialogue process that will begin in January 2009. Making use of its technical expertise in facilitating dialogue the HD Centre will:

· act as the Secretariat for the meetings;

· prepare agendas and maintain a record of the meetings;

· monitor and report on the progress of the dialogue process;

· provide advice and undertake additional tasks as requested.

President Ramos-Horta also requested that the HD Centre liaise with different stakeholders, including the Church, youth and student leaders, as well as other civil society groups to ensure their contributions to the national dialogue process.

The HD Centre facilitated a dialogue process between the Government and army fugitives in Timor-Leste between May 2007 and April 2008.

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If you would like to arrange for an interview, photographs or know more about the work of the HD Centre, please contact Michael Vatikiotis on +65 92 726 385 or write to pr@hdcentre.org