Timor-Leste Independence Day

I specifically greet you: Your Excellency Dr José Ramos-Horta, President of Timor-Leste; Ministers; Your Excellency Tim McIvor,  New Zealand’s Ambassador to Timor-Leste and other members of the Diplomatic Corps; distinguished guests otherwise; ladies and gentlemen.

I begin with the New Zealand Māori greeting, "Kia Ora" and in the context of this ceremony add the following: Bom dia, hau sente laran haksolok tebes bele mai iha ne’e (“Good morning I am very pleased to be here”).

It is an honour to participate in Timor-Leste Independence Day celebrations and I thank you for welcoming my wife Susan and me so warmly to Timor-Leste.

It is also a pleasure to be able to visit your pleasant country—one of the world’s newest nations and one of New Zealand’s nearest neighbours in Asia.

Like New Zealand, Timor-Leste may be a small country but, despite the distance across the Pacific, assure you it is very visible to New Zealanders.

This is because since 1999, thousands of our people have served here, working alongside the people of Timor-Leste to help build your nation.

New Zealand military and police personnel have been a part of both international security operations and every United Nations mission deployed here.

The Kiwi badge is worn with pride on the arms of the servicemen and women who serve with the International Stabilisation Force, of our defence advisers to the Timor-Leste Armed Forces, and the Police officers within the UN Mission in Timor-Leste.

In addition to the New Zealanders working in our embassy, others have worked alongside Timorese colleagues in the building customs and prison services, the education ministry and the justice system as well as working in NGOs and as development specialists.

Mr President, as I noted when I welcomed you to New Zealand in February last  year, every New Zealander who has served in Timor-Leste will have returned home having learnt something much about this country. They will have talked about their experiences to their spouses, children, parents and friends.  That has created a significant New Zealand constituency for Timor-Leste.

But the New Zealanders who have spent time here will have come home from their assignments with more than just some additional knowledge.  I am confident they will have returned with substantial admiration for the courage and resilience of the Timorese people who, for too long, have suffered the indignities of colonisation, occupation, violence and poverty.

Not only has your country won its independence and its honour, but you have forged a nation and a state where many foresaw only chaos.

Timor’s path has not been an easy one. New Zealand is well aware of both the challenges that you have confronted and conquered, and those that remain.

Mr President, we are well aware of the dangers and the injuries that you personally have faced and overcome.

But the signs are that the crisis phase of Timor’s existence is passing, and that you are moving into calmer, though no less challenging times.

New Zealand understands that this increasingly peaceful environment has implications for the international security presence, and appreciates that your allies must be sensitive to the growing desire of the Timorese people to stand free from outside support.

For these reasons, this month we are reducing the number of troops we deploy to the International Stabilisation Force, and will shortly withdraw some of our police officers. We have done this in full consultation with the Government of Timor-Leste and with the organisations and other countries involved.

We and colleagues in Australia and elsewhere are working hard to make sure that the ISF and UNMIT remain responsive to the needs of Timor-Leste and the wishes of its government and people.  We know they share our desire that international support should continue to be carefully targeted and in tune with the changing environment here.

It is clear that as circumstances permit, the countries helping to provide security, and the UN itself, must look to step back and ensure that the agencies of the Timor-Leste state can take up their rightful positions.

However, New Zealand would be a poor friend if this was done suddenly or without careful thought. The next few years, in particular the time between now and the elections in 2012, will be a testing time, and we trust that you will continue to welcome the help of your international supporters in this period.

New Zealand has said many times before that it is committed to Timor-Leste and its people, and that commitment remains.

Mr President, you can be sure that we will continue to stand here alongside you, endeavouring to provide you with the support you need to continue to build your nation.

The nature and level of our support will change and evolve.  We look to a relationship based not on security, but on assisting development.  We also look to build the connections of trade, tourism and other links that characterise many of long-standing relationships in the region.

We look forward, in time, to seeing Timor-Leste fully integrated into the South East Asian regional structures, and in particularly fully support and encourage your membership of ASEAN.

Mr President, New Zealand and Timor-Leste are good friends. It is my fervent wish that the years to come will be easier for your country and your people than those that lie behind.   But whatever they may hold, you can be sure that we will continue to stand alongside you. 
Obrigado barak. (“Thank you”)

And on that note, I seek to close in New Zealand's first language Māori, offering greetings and wishing everyone good health and fortitude in your endeavours.  No reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, kia ora, kia kaha, tena koutou katoa.