This lead up to the sovereign state of Timor-leste being formally established on 20 May 2002, following a period with a UN transitional administration. Most unfortunately, the days following the popular consultation came to be very traumatic for the Timor-Leste people and its nation building - with very many casualties and major destruction of buildings and infrastructure by militia and others in favour of integration with Indonesia.
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The Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao together with the Country Director of UNDP Timor-Leste and the new Head of Mission of the Norwegian Embassy Section in Dili, Hans Peter Christophersen during the 10th Anniversary Reception |
The 10th anniversary of the referendum was marked by a series of events, with the main celebration on 30 august 2009. During the ceremony in front of the new presidential palace, with solemn flag raising and military parade, many foreign visitors attended; Foreign minister of Indonesia, Australian governor general, the Portuguese parliament president and foreign minister, deputy prime minister of Cuba, Ian Martin on behalf of UN Secretary General and UN High Commissioner for Refugees Guterres, Portugal's former prime minister. It was awarded 48 honors during a special ceremony, including a number of foreign nationals. In the evening there was a major cultural arrangement.
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The Norway delegation at National Ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Dili. |
Norway was represented by Ambassador Homme, special envoy Stålsett and head of the embassy section, Christophersen. A congratulatory letter from Prime Minister Stoltenberg to his counterpart was submitted. President Ramos-Horta thanked the international community in his speech for their important support to Timor-Leste, and mentioned in this regard also Norway.
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President Ramos-Horta inspects the honour guard of the military and police of Timor Leste during the flaghoisting ceremony. |