Government asks CPD – RDTL to return to their districts; Lere Anan Timur: "guns are for killing people and defending national sovereignty, not mere decorations"

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TVTL News - Thursday, 7 February 2013 - Translation from Tetum broadcast 

  

The message from the head of government Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao, taken by Major General Lere Anan Timur, to the CPD – RDTL members who are currently in Fatoberliu, was that the government has decided that each must return to their respective District.

This message was delivered by the F – FDTL commander, Major General Lere Anan Timur who last Wednesday travelled to the location where the CPD-RDTL are in Fatoberliu.

Lere Anan Timur asked each and every one of the members of CPD – RDTL who are there working the land communally to return to their respective district.

"Friends, as I have said, I am not here to make political speeches to you (CPD – RDTL). Here we have cornfields. Here we have rice patties. We have come to talk as farmers. This is what I ask of you. I came here to tell you that our Big Brother the Prime Minister and Defence Minister, Xanana thinks that each of you must return to your districts and then government will take responsibility to assist you to organise yourselves. This is what I'm asking of you. I think you understand that in building this nation, it has not been easy. We have spilt blood to do it, given our bodies. The flag that you are brandishing represents our nation, represents our state. I bring with me our Big Brother the Prime Minister's message to you our brothers and sisters, for each of you to return to your respective districts. Organise yourselves so the government can give you support," said Lere Anan Timur.

However, the CPD – RDTL organising committee said that the former transmigration land known as SP1, SP 2, SP 3 is state property, and because of this they had a right to work paddy fields on there to improve the economic condition of the people of Timor-Leste.

"We are now working this land like a cooperative, because this is state property. Before, during the time of the Indonesian state it was trans-migration land called SP 1, SP 2 and SP 3. Some people are saying we are illegally occupying land but that is not right. We have come here to make use of this land, not to illegally occupy it. That is wrong. The President of the Republic was notified, the Prime Minister was notified and notification was given to Mr. Lere Anan Timur, that we would not take this land back to our own homelands, but that we did this because our state and national economy are too dependent on other countries," said the spokesperson for CPD – RDTL.

Whilst there Major General Lere Anan Timur said that the President of the Republic, Taur Matan Ruak accepted the CPD – RDTL plan, but not for them to occupy other people's land.

"To plant your corn and rice, but when you say the president supports you, no. The president supports you cultivating rice patties but not to occupy other people's land. The president himself told me that he said you could cultivate rice patties, plant corn. That the president would support 100%, and I would support you also. But to do as you have done, that the president does not support. You are all veterans. When you organise yourselves you must do so in line with our principles, according to our constitution, then we will support you 100%. And brothers and sisters, don't play around with this state. This state has everything. For example, your compatriots over there who carry guns (F – FDTL), those are not merely for decoration. If it had been just for personal declaration then perhaps we wouldn't want the state to spend money on them. Those are for killing people. The black one being held there is to defend our sovereignty. Other countries can destroy our sovereignty but even we Timorese can destroy our sovereignty, and because of this that the government bought these guns, and created this force. But when it is only for decoration, then it doesn't need to be bought," added Lere Anan Timur.

With humility he asked the members of the CPD – RDTL organisation who are currently at that place to comply with the order given by the head of government so as to avoid problems emerging.

The CPD – RDTL organisation have already cultivated 12 hectares of rice patties and plan to keep cultivating until they have cultivated over 200 or so hectares.

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