Comunicado - PM

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF TIMOR-LESTE
OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER

MEDIA RELEASE

Dili, November 19 2006

Prime Minister greets new GNR commander and farewells Captain Carvalho

The new commander of Portugal’s elite GNR police contingent to Timor-Leste will present his commission to the Prime Minister Dr José Ramos-Horta at 2 p.m. tomorrow (Monday, November 20) at the Palácio do Governo.

There are 142 GNR police now on duty in Timor-Leste including officers seconded to the Prime Minister’s Close Protection Unit.

Captain Jorge Barradas is taking over from Captain Gonçalo Carvalho, who will return to Portugal for a short break before redeployment. Both men are from Portugal’s National Crowd Control Unit.

Captain Carvalho who arrived in Dili on May 28 has completed his six-month tour of duty.

“I will miss the people of Timor-Leste,” Captain Carvalho said today. “During my short time here I have made many friends. The ongoing efforts towards peace and reconciliation are a credit to the nation and to its leaders.

“There are many countries around the world who could learn a great deal from Timor-Leste about the steps required towards peace.”

Dr Ramos-Horta praised Captain Carvalho’s leadership.

“The captain came here at a very difficult time,” Dr Ramos-Horta said.

“His GNR police have been a credit to Portugal and a great support to our nation. We will miss him but at the same time I welcome Captain Barradas to Timor-Leste and look forward to his leadership of the GNR.”

The Prime Minister will later this week host a farewell for the GNR officers who have formed his Close Protection Unit.

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