TIMOR LESTE PREPARING FOR ASEAN MEMBERSHIP

By Mohd Nasir Yusoff

JAKARTA, Feb 3 (Bernama) -- Timor-Leste has mobilised the "Asean National
Secretariat" to intensify its preparations to join the regional grouping.

President Dr Jose Ramos-Horta presided over the launch ceremony on Thursday
at the newly-built Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dili, said a statement issued
by the Jakarta-based Asean Secretariat Monday.

Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao, National Parliament President
Fernando Lasama de Araujo, Foreign Minister Dr Zacarias Albano da Costa,
Secretary-General Imron Cotan of Indonesia's Department of Foreign Affairs and
members of the diplomatic corps in Dili and Timor-Leste members of Parliament
attended the ceremony.

"In his address, President Ramos-Horta said that he had received
reassurances of support for Timor-Leste's eventual admission into Asean during
his recent state visits to Thailand, the Philippines and Malaysia," the
statement said.

He said Timor-Leste's ties to Southeast Asia and Asean were based on three
factors -- geography, desire of the people and clear government policy and he
added: "We wish to join Asean in the possible shortest time."

"We know the burden of proof of our readiness is on us," he said and pointed
out that with the launch of the "Secretariat", Timor-Leste would continue to do
its best to develop its human resources and show its seriousness and
responsibility towards regional cooperation and diplomacy.

Foreign Minister Dr Albano da Costa, as quoted in the statement, said
Timor-Leste shared the dream of Asean's founding fathers about peace, security
and prosperity in Southeast Asia and that Timor-Leste was eager to contribute
to making that dream come true.

He also asked Asean Dialogue Partners to further assist the "Secretariat" in
training Timor-Leste officials.

The "Secretariat", located on the beach-front prime location and included an
IT training centre, was built with financial assistance from South Korea, one
of Asean Dialogue Partners, the statement said.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the other hand, was built with financial
assistance from China, another Dialogue Partner of Asean, it added.

The "Secretariat" is headed by Director-General Roberto Soares who will be
concurrently Ambassador of Timor-Leste to Singapore and Brunei.

At the function, Thai Ambassador to Timor-Leste Wiwat Kunthonthien read a
congratulatory message from the Director-General of Asean-Thailand, reiterating
Thailand's support for Timor-Leste to join Asean.

Timor-Leste is developing diplomatic ties with all the 10 Asean member
states and has opened its embassies in Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur (also handling ties
with Myanmar and Vietnam), Manila and Bangkok (also handling ties with Cambodia
and Laos).

In another statement, the Asean Secretariat said Timor-Leste donated
US$500,000 for humanitarian aid to Cyclone Nargis survivors in Myanmar, quoting
Gusmao as saying that the contribution is Timor-Leste's show of "solidarity"
with the people of Myanmar suffering from Cyclone Nargis.
-- BERNAMA