IN VIDEO MESSAGE ON EVE OF ELECTIONS IN TIMOR-LESTE, SECRETARY-GENERAL

 

PLEDGES STEADFAST COMMITMENT BY UNITED NATIONS

 

Following is the text of the video message by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on the eve of elections in Timor-Leste on 8 April:

This is a profoundly exciting time in the history of your young nation.  As you vote in Timor-Leste’s first national elections since independence, you reach a new milestone in your work to consolidate democracy.  I hope the elections will be free, fair, transparent and credible.  I hope they will be unmarred by violence and intimidation.  And I hope they will lead to results accepted by all.

In organizing these elections, the Timorese authorities have worked hard to ensure that every eligible citizen is able to cast his or her vote.  The United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste, UNMIT, has worked hand in hand with your State institutions to provide security and logistics, before, during and after the ballot.

The day your country’s flag was first raised on 20 May 2002 was a proud moment for all of you, and for the United Nations.  But, as all independent nations learn, nationhood is a never-ending work in progress.  The crisis of April and May last year reminded us that stable and sustainable democracy can never be taken for granted.  It must be nurtured and protected.  The way these elections are conducted will be decisive in setting the tone for how your society develops in the future.

The signs are promising.  The number of new voter registrations is high -- especially from young people.  The range of candidates presents a broad political spectrum of choice.  And, in the past seven years, the Timorese people have built up a tradition of vigorous and courageous democratic participation.

So today, the eyes of the world are upon you.  I wish you the best on election day and in the weeks and months ahead.  I call on all candidates and their supporters to accept the results in a peaceful manner.  And I pledge that the United Nations will remain steadfastly committed to supporting Timor-Leste on the path of stability and development, in a climate of democratic, accountable and responsive governance.  We will continue to walk with you on your journey.

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For information media • not an official record