Madam, - The President of East Timor is quite right in referring to a "new phase" (October 20th) in the relations between the worlds's newest nation and Ireland.
Madam, - The President of East Timor is quite right in referring to a "new phase" (October 20th) in the relations between the worlds's newest nation and Ireland.
We are indeed in a new era. Ireland's support for East Timor was pivotal during its struggle for independence, and now, as it struggles to rebuild its society and economy from the wreckage of the Indonesian occupation, Ireland's support is as crucial as ever.
The recent decision by Development Minister Tom Kitt to make East Timor a "programme country" was a vital contribution to maintaining our country's commitment to the world's newest nation.
In the next three years, as a result of Mr Kitt's initiative, the Irish Government will contribute €11 million to East Timor, aimed mainly at poverty reduction and building civil society.
In a country where most people live on less than 50 cents a day, Development Cooperation Ireland will have an enormous impact, helping to improve the lives of ordinary people.
As stated in The Irish Times by President Xanana Gusmao, there are other links developing from Ireland, these he referred to as "people-to-people" links.
Schools in Ireland and Timor have been linked and medical students from Ireland have taken up voluntary positions in clinics in Timor.
We intend to strengthen these links as well as promoting others links in areas such as tourism and information technology. - Yours, etc.
TOM HYLAND, ETISC, Dame House, Dame Street, Dublin 2.