Irish experience can help Timorese: Dermot Ahern
Ireland can play a vital role in resolving global conflicts by sharing experiences of its troubled history, it was claimed today.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern will travel to Timor Leste for an official visit tomorrow to unveil the government’s new Conflict Resolution Unit, promised under the Programme for Government.
The Asian country will be the first state to be assisted by experts from the unit, which it is hoped will appoint roving ambassadors to trouble spots around the world.
The two-day trip, which will include a series of high-level meetings with government ministers and aid projects, comes just over a week after a double assassination attempt on the fledgling nation’s leadership.
“Timor-Leste is in a transition phase, moving from conflict to stability and prosperity,” Mr Ahern said.
“Ireland wants to play its role in helping Timor, sharing our experience of conflict resolution and of building partnerships and a workable peace.
“We don’t have all the answers but I believe we have expertise and knowledge which we can share with the wider international community and particularly countries which are emerging from division and conflict.
“I believe our work on the ground in Timor can be rolled out in other countries as we expand the work of the Conflict Resolution Unit.”
The country, which was previously known as East Timor, won independence in 2002 after more than 400 years of occupation by Portugal and Indonesia.
Last week President Jose Ramos-Horta was shot and wounded by rebel soldiers in a pre-dawn assault while Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao escaped injury in a similar attack.
Despite the apparent failed coup Mr Ahern vowed to press ahead with the trip to outline plans for the new conflict resolution initiative.
“This is a new role for Ireland internationally and a significant development in our foreign policy,” he said.
“The unit will work closely with our overseas aid programme through the development of several initiatives complementary to the existing Irish Aid programme in the country.”
Ahern is scheduled to hold talks with Mr Gusmao and opposition leader Mari Alkatiri of the Fretilin party.
He will also meet with the president of the parliament, and now acting president, Fernando de Araujo La Sama and visit projects funded by Irish Aid.
Timor Leste will receive five million euro in Irish Aid funding this year.
Irish troops participated in UN peacekeeping operations in Timor Leste between 1999-2004.
Aid agency Concern has been working in the Asian state since 1999 mainly on education, malnutrition and rural development programmes.
Trocaire has also been supporting projects run by local NGOs in the country since 2000.
