The AP Interview: East Timor's President José Ramos-Horta

(4 Sep 2024)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Dili, East Timor - 4 September 2024
1. Various of East Timor president Jose Ramos-Horta arriving and greeting reporter
2. SOUNDBITE (English) Adam Schreck, Associated Press:
"What messages do you hope that Pope Francis will bring to East Timor specifically?"
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Jose Ramos-Horta, president of East Timor: ++PART COVERED BY SHOT 4++
"In Timor-Leste, His Holiness is a friend. His visit reward(s) the people of this country. (It) is the biggest, the best marketing anyone can aspire to promote the country, to put the country on the tourist map."
4. Various of poster welcoming Pope Francis outside shopping mall
5. Wide of Horta speaking to reporter
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Adam Schreck, Associated Press: ++PART COVERED BY SHOT 7, 8 & 9++
"But also this is somewhat personal for you since you shared a Nobel Peace Prize with Bishop Belo. Why do you think he continues to receive so much support from the Timorese people?"
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Dili, East Timor - 10 December 1996
7. STILL of 1996 Nobel Peace Prize laureates East Timor Bishop Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo, right, and activist Jose Ramos-Horta display their awards during the Nobel Prize ceremony
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Dili, East Timor - 4 September 2024
8. Workers preparing mural for Pope Francis visit, featuring the history of Catholicism in East Timor and including East Timorese independence hero Bishop Carlos Ximenes Belo who has been accused of sexually abusing children
9. Close of Bishop Belo on mural
10. SOUNDBITE (English) Jose Ramos-Horta, president of East Timor: ++STARTS ON SHOT 9 AND PART COVERED BY SHOT 11++
"People, yes, continue to deeply respect Bishop Belo for his courage, his contribution to their struggle. He sheltered people, he saved people and people don’t just forget that and then all castigate him, ostracize him, no. What happened in no way diminish(es) the part of history that he played."
11. Close of Horta’s hands during interview
12. SOUNDBITE (English) Adam Schreck, Associated Press:
"Do you see there’s room for the relationship with China to grow in terms of not just the economy but in terms of security and military relationship? Last year you signed a comprehensive strategic partnership for example."
13. SOUNDBITE (English) Jose Ramos-Horta, president of East Timor: ++PART COVERED BY SHOT 14++
"Please help us become self-sufficient in agriculture, guarantee food security, help us with water. With President Xi Jinping, I did not discuss one single time, anything related to security."
14. Various of Chinese construction site in Dili
15. Various of Horta leaving Presidential Palace and driving away in his army jeep
STORYLINE:
The president of East Timor sees Pope Francis' upcoming visit as a prime opportunity to promote Asia's youngest country on the world stage, not a time to confront the legacy of abuse by influential members of the clergy in the deeply Catholic nation.
During an interview with The Associated Press, President José Ramos-Horta also expressed the need for the economic and environmental benefits of a major energy project with Australia and emphasized China's role in improving the quality of life for East Timorese people, rather than a focus on defence.
The 74-year-old former independence fighter and Nobel laureate returned to the presidency in 2022 with campaign pledges that included tackling poverty, creating jobs and improving political stability.
Walls are quickly being dabbed with fresh paint and banners and billboards seemingly everywhere have been hoisted to welcome the pope.
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