“The Portuguese knew how to react to changes without hatred or revenge, without shootings, without civil war, they accepted independence and fought with us for distant Timor”, said Ramos-Horta during his intervention at the ceremony commemorating the 50th anniversary of the 25th of April, which brought together all the presidents of Portuguese-speaking African countries, today in Lisbon.
“[Os portugueses] did not turn their backs, and the societies and leaders of the new independent nations also knew how, with true victorious grandeur, to greet Portugal and friendly relations were consolidated”, added the Timorese head of state, noting that “the normalization of relations with the former colonial power was immediate, the reconciliation was natural and the process was swift”.
In his intervention, Ramos-Horta made the distinction between Portugal before the revolution, “asphyxiated and isolated”, and the country that followed, exclaiming: “How much it has changed for the better, for much better, in all aspects!”.
Criticizing the wars that occupy the front pages of newspapers “and others around the world that do not reach the media”, Ramos-Horta said that today’s ceremony in Lisbon “honors the courage of those who fought for freedom and renews commitments with democratic values that define our nations”.
In his speech this afternoon in Lisbon, the Timorese President said he was “proud of the PALOP” (Portuguese-Speaking African Countries) and said that the Timorese are “eternally grateful for the fraternal solidarity during the dark years of the journey to independence”.
MBA // JMC
Lusa/End
Tags: Portugal knew recognize colonial defeat reconciliation natural
