LETTER TO PRESIDENT BUSH FROM PRESIDENT KAY RALA XANANA

UNCLAS DILI 000065 DEPARTMENT FOR S/ES-CR AND S/ES-O DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/MTS AND EAP/EX NSC FOR IKE REED E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OPDC AMGT TT SUBJECT: LETTER TO PRESIDENT BUSH FROM PRESIDENT KAY RALA XANANA GUSMAO ¶1. Post received a letter addressed to President George W. Bush on February 10, 2006. ¶2. Following is the text of the letter: Dili, 18 January 2006 Excellency, The Commission For Reception, Truth and Reconciliation (CAVR) established in 2001, during the transitional administration of United Nations and later endorsed by the Constitution of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste in its section 162, was mandated to establish the truth about human rights abuse within the context of the political conflict in Timor-Leste since 25 April 1974 until October 25, 1999. The Commission was charged with the task of identifying the context, causes, precedents, motives and perspectives leading to the violence, identifying the individuals, authorities, institutions and organizations perpetrators of the violations of human rights and to establish whether such violations were premeditated and product of the policy and authorised by the State, political groups, militia, liberation movement or any other group. The Commission was also charged with the task of analysing the determining internal and external factors and to attribute responsibilities for the violations. Having concluded the work, the Commission presented to me their Report, which was not only about the activities and findings of the Commission but also an exhaustive list of recommendations with the aim of reforming and instigating initiatives conducive to eliminate future recurrence of violations of human rights and to respond to the needs of the victims of the tragic period faced by Timor-Leste. As the President of the Republic, it is my task to take into account the recommendations of the Commission including the respective implementation. However, as a sovereign State, Timor-Leste will consider the recommendations within the realms of current political reality. Taking into account my obligation pertaining to the dissemination of the Report to the international community, I hereby present to your Excellency the Report of the Commission for Reception, Truth and Reconciliation (CAVR). On behalf of the people and the State of Timor-Leste, I take this opportunity to express our best wishes for the good health and prosperity of your Excellency and to renew the assurances of our highest consideration. Palacio das Cinzas, 18 January 2006 KAY RALA XANANA GUSMAO H.E. MR. GEORGE BUSH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WASHINTON, DC USA End text of the letter. ¶3. The letter and a CD copy of the CAVR report will be sent to the Department on Febuary 15, 2006, via unclassified pouch. ¶4. Embassy appreciates the Department's assistance in forwarding the letter to the President. REES