Timor-Leste does not forget
A few weeks ago, when much of Portugal was being battered by storms, Timor-Leste sent a donation of support. This is not the first time such solidarity has reached Portugal from the most distant of the Portuguese-speaking countries; last year, Timorese authorities also offered aid in response to wildfires in Portuguese territory. There is no doubt about the strong emotional bond between Portugal and its former Asian colony. The Timorese have not forgotten the solidarity shown by the Portuguese state and its people during the Indonesian occupation between 1975 and 1999. It was through Portuguese diplomacy that the UN-sponsored referendum was held, allowing the Timorese to choose their future: four out of five voted for independence, which was finally proclaimed in 2002. José Ramos-Horta, who led the external front of the resistance while Xanana Gusmão led the guerrilla forces, recently visited Lisbon for the inauguration of António José Seguro. Ramos-Horta, who received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1996, emphasized the deep ties between the two nations, describing Portugal as a 'second motherland'. The article argues that Portugal should enthusiastically support education in Timor-Leste by sending teachers, materials, and offering scholarships to further strengthen the role of the Portuguese language in the country.
