On August 30 U.S. Assistant Secretary Stilwell and Ambassador Fitzpatrick met with President of the Republic, Francisco Guterres Lu-Olo. President Lu-Olo expressed his support for the work of the U.S. Millennium Challenge Corporation and other U.S. assistance in advancing a prosperous and democratic Timor-Leste. In the same day, Assistant Secretary Stilwell also met with Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak to congratulate him and all Timorese on the celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the Popular Referendum. During his visit in Timor-Leste Assistant Secretary Stilwell also met with Timorese leaders including chief negotiatior from the Maritime Boundary Office, Xanana Gusmao, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Dionisio Babo Soares, Defense Minister, Filomeno Paixao and attended the special Parliamentary session as well as the exchange of diplomatic notes between Timor-Leste and Australia on the maritime boundary treaty. He also took part in the main event of the celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the Popular Referendum in Tasitolu, Dili.
