Jose Ramos-Horta quotes

Jose Ramos-Horta is a distinguished East Timorese politician, diplomat, and Nobel Peace Prize laureate. A leading voice in the struggle for East Timor’s independence, he played a crucial role in international advocacy for his nation. He has served as both President and Prime Minister, dedicating his life to peace and reconciliation. Here are 10 of his quotes:

The East Timorese government does not believe that we should consider compensation for the victims because there are tens of thousands of people who were, in one way or another, affected by the violence either directly or indirectly.

Jose Ramos-Horta

I believe in being compassionate.

Jose Ramos-Horta

The second one, the joint Truth and Friendship Commission, which we started now with Indonesia, that is the one that has been criticized; its terms of reference call for providing amnesty for those who cooperate in telling the truth. It does not lead to prosecution.

Jose Ramos-Horta

We have already significant sums of money in our petroleum fund, a fund created by law that includes all the revenues received from the Timor Sea, and invests in conservative, safe, long-term investment portfolios - right now in US Treasury Bonds.

Jose Ramos-Horta

In the case of Iraq, notwithstanding the violence there at the moment, the very fact that a hideous regime - responsible for genocide, for the use of chemical and biological weapons, aggression against two neighbors - has been removed in itself is a positive development.

Jose Ramos-Horta

Free education and health care are essential for the welfare of the population.

Jose Ramos-Horta

The Commission has five commissioners from each side, plus three alternates, so all together sixteen members, people who are independent from the two governments, who have a lot of integrity, professional competence, and who have credibility in their respective countries.

Jose Ramos-Horta

The government can access these funds but only following approval by the parliament to support our budget requirements and investments in infrastructure development, education, public health, and so on.

Jose Ramos-Horta

It would be a mind-boggling endeavor to try to identify each individual who claims to have been a survivor of victimization during this period of 24 years.

Jose Ramos-Horta