Media Release - FRETILIN stands for responsible management of public funds

Vote for FRETILIN!
2007 Parliamentary Elections

"Defending Timor-Leste's independence"

Media release
10 June 2007

FRETILIN stands for responsible management of public funds

FRETILIN, the majority party in Timor-Leste (East Timor), has said it
will continue to responsibly manage state funds and criticised
opposition parties for making promises which will bankrupt the
country. The party made these comments during its recent dialogue
meetings held in the districts of Aileu , Manufahi and Ainaro south of
Dili and in the districts of Covalima and Bobonaro west of Dili in the
period 3 June to 8 June.

The dialogue meetings were led by FRETILIN President Francisco
Guterres Lu Olo, FRETILIN General Secretary Dr Mari Alkatiri, senior
FRETILIN leaders and government ministers.

Dr Alkatiri said "In the last five years we have set up the legal
framework and state institutions to allow state funds to be managed
responsibly, kept tight financial control over state expenditure and
refused taking loans from the World Bank.

"These measures were taken so Timor-Leste would keep control of its
economy in order that real benefits can flow to the East Timorese for
generations to come."
Alkatiri continued: "The opposition parties have made promises without
thinking through the consequences for the economy. For example, some
of them promised the establishment of banks in each of the 442 sucos
(administrative level), to repair every single road in five years or
give money away from the petroleum fund. These promises lack any real
development vision.

"We have examined their promises and calculated that if the opposition
parties' ideas are implemented the petroleum fund which the FRETILIN
government put so much effort in establishing will be bankrupt in less
than 4 years. If this happens, Timor-Leste will be forced to borrow
money from foreign nations and institutions, putting us into debt.
This is something we have successfully avoided until now."

"There are a number of nations that keep paying debts decades after
their independence. If Timor-Leste follows the same road it will
create a debt that won't be paid even in our grandchildren's
generation. It will also mean that Timorese will not be in full
control of their economy and be free to spend money in key areas of
vital importance to the people such as health, education and
agriculture" said Alkatiri.

Lu Olo said "The efforts made by the FRETILIN government have
guaranteed a unique and stable development for Timor-Leste, one that
ensures that Timorese stay in control. This could only have been done
by the FRETILIN government which has the necessary experience and
commitment to the Timorese people."

Lu Olo said "Lets keep the campaign focused on policy issues and we
challenge the other parties to a debate on economic development."

For more information, please contact:
Jose Teixeira (+670) 728 7080 or fretilin.media@gmail.com

www.timortruth.com, www.fretilin-rdtl.blogspot.com