Page 19 - ELITE PLUS MAGAZINE VOL10

The important thingis now the East Timorese have regained freedom, can dream and direct our nation the way we want toand East Timorese now?What happened is the past and we let go of our pain. Indonesia now is not like in bygone days. We have reconciled, developed friendship and respect and come to terms as good neighbours. Since we have so much in common, we can easily cooperate to develop our nations.I myself am one of the survivors of the Santa Cruz massacre, the biggest killing at one time in our history under the occupation. But I look at it as a part of history. Anything I lost or sacrificed, I’ve left it behind. The important thing is now the East Timorese have regained freedom, can dream and direct our nation the way we want to. If you’re curious about the struggles and violence, the East Timorese Resistance Archive and Museum in Dili provides everything you need to know.Can you give an example of current joint projects with Indonesia?After we gained independence in 2002, political and diplomatic relations have only grown stronger. We have just finished finalizing the border. A few projects and negotia- tions in economic, trade, social and cultural areas will soon be finalized. Our government has a project called the Special Zone of Social Market Economy in Oecusse-Ambeno, which is a district of TL but located entirely in West Timor, Indonesia. We need their cooperation so we can work on developing the district, building infrastructure and tourist facilities.TL is a member of the Commu- nity of Portuguese Language Coun- tries (CPLP). How does member- ship benefit TL and perhaps ASEAN?Elite+ 17