TOM HYLAND,
Sir, - Your recent coverage of East Timor is most welcome. This country faces many challenges as it charts a course towards economic growth and stability. The number one issue facing the new nation state is poverty.
The recently released United Nations Development Programme report states that East Timor is now the poorest county in Asia. In addition, it has the highest infant mortality rate in South-East Asia.
The East Timor Ireland Solidarity Campaign, with the assistance of Ireland Aid, Trócaire and Concern, has established an education programme which links students in both countries. As in Ireland, education is one of the tools that will assist the Timorese to improve the skills basis to attract the necessary investment.
The establishment of an Ireland Aid office in the East Timorese capital, Dili, is an indication of the Irish commitment to this country. One hopes that as Ireland Aid decides on a programme country for Asia it will keep in mind that East Timor is perfect for the type of assistance that such a status would bring.
Irish development agencies such as Goal and Concern have outlined their strategic, long-term commitment to Timor. I have visited some of the Concern projects and have been impressed not only with the projects themselves but also with the input of the local communities. This is what development it about: partnership.
I have no doubt that this new state, which has seen 500 years of Portuguese rule and 24 years of brutal Indonesian occupation, will face the challenges of the future with the same resilience that has seen the Timorese emerge from such a violent past.- Yours, etc.,
TOM HYLAND,
Fatuhada,
East Timor.