SRSG meets US Congressional Delegatio

Dili 2 July, 2009 - Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations (SRSG) for Timor-Leste Atul Khare today met members of the United States House Democratic Assistance Committee led by Chairman Rep. David Price (D-NC) at the UN headquarters in Dili. The other members of the Congressional delegation were Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA), Rep. Jim Cooper (D-TN), Rep. Bob Etheridge (D-NC), Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL) and Rep. Phil Gingery (R-GA).

In this first ever visit to Timor-Leste of an official US Congressional delegation, SRSG Khare gave a detailed briefing to the congressmen on the mandate and activities of the UN Mission, as well as on the progress of Timor-Leste toward sustainable stability following the crisis of 2006. He underlined the importance of the assistance of the United States provided through the USAID which, he said, is a major contribution to peace, stability and economic development of the young nation.

"It is significant that the USA, one of the world's oldest and leading democracies, is building a solid relationship with Timor-Leste, one of the world's youngest democracies," said Khare. "This relationship," said Khare, "can help deepen the understanding that democracy in a young nation like Timor-Leste provides the best avenue for redressing societal grievances, and hence creates the conditions for better long-term security and development."

SRSG Khare thanked the Chairman and members of the Committee for their strong support to Timor-Leste, as well as to successive UN missions in Timor-Leste. He also noted the significance of this US delegation being a bipartisan group, and the fact that with UN encouragement Timorese parliamentary delegations to other countries also follow the bipartisan model.

"The support of the US House Democratic Assistance Committee to the Timor-Leste National Parliament in establishing its parliamentary library is a good example of assistance in building the democratic institutions of this nation," he added.

SRSG Atul Khare had earlier met with the chairman of the Committee on his recent trip to Washington, in February this year, when they discussed the possibility of this first ever official visit of US Congress Members to Timor-Leste.

On Saturday, 4 June, 2009 the Congressional delegation will travel by UN helicopter to the central mountain region of Maubisse, where they will visit the a coffee cooperative supported by USAID and participate, along with members of the Timorese National Parliament and SRSG Khare, in a town hall meeting with community members.

For further information contact:
Gyorgy Kakuk UNMIT Spokesperson +670 7230749 kakukg@un.org

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