| Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that he had
the privilege of attending a special church service last night in East
Timor with Commander Fiti Semanu and 40 members of the Independent Nation
of Samoa’s police force. Samoa’s police force is in East Timor as
part of a United Nations peacekeeping effort to maintain peace and security
in the region.
“East Timor has been seeking independence from Indonesia for more
than 26 years,” Congressman Faleomavaega said. “The country has experienced
brutal and difficult times. Since 1975, approximately 200,000 East
Timorese have died during military occupation by Indonesian forces.”
A national election is scheduled to be held in East Timor on August
30, 2001. Congressman Faleomavaega and Sir Michael Somare, former Prime
Minster of Papua New Guinea, were invited by former President Jimmy Carter
to serve as co-leaders to officially observe and monitor the election.
“I am deeply honored and appreciative of the fact that Sir Somare
has accepted President Carter’s invitation to join with me in observing
the elections in East Timor,” Congressman Faleomavaega said. “Sir
Somare is considered to be the George Washington of Papua New Guinea.
He was the first elected Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea when that country
became a sovereign independent nation in the early 1970s.”
“I am also deeply moved and very proud that our fellow Samoans are
contributing to the efforts of bringing about democracy for the people
of East Timor,” Congressman Faleomavaega said. “Samoan police officers
are patrolling the streets of Dili, the capital of East Timor. They
are clearly identified by their unique uniforms. They are very well
respected. The people of East Timor are grateful for their presence.”
“On a personal note, I am happy to see our Pacific Island Community
of Nations represented by a Samoan contingency. I want to commend
Prime Minister Tuilaepa for his leadership and commitment to having Samoa
represented in this peacekeeping effort,” Faleomavaega said. “As
a military veteran myself, I can appreciate the tremendous sacrifice and
hardship these Samoan police officers are facing. They are separated
from their families. They are confronted with the possibility that
violence can erupt at any time. But in the true spirit of Polynesia,
they are unwavering in their commitment to serve.”
“I would like to remind our Samoan communities to continue their
prayers and supplications in behalf of these officers,” Congressman Faleomavaega
said. “ Pray for their safe return. Pray for them to be reunited
with their families when this tour is complete.”
“Also know that Samoa’s police officers are in good health and good
spirits. They are forming a church choir and I promised Colonel Charles
Cook, Head of the U.S. Military Support Command in East Timor, that he
will now have the best choir for Sunday services,” Congressman Faleomavaega
said. “Colonel Cook said he also feels a lot more confident to know
that he has some excellent rugby players to take on Australia in the next
game to be held in East Timor.”
Congressman Faleomavaega is in East Timor as part of his assignment
as the Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific.
On his way to East Timor, Faleomavaega served as an official observer of
Fiji’s national elections. While in Fiji, Faleomavaega met with various
leaders and officials of the Fijian government.
“Our conversations were hopeful. The first day of the election
process was orderly and I am hopeful that the good people of Fiji will
bring peace and stability to their region through this democratic process,”
Congressman Faleomavaega said. |
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