My respects to: Major General Falur Rate Laek, Vice Chief of Defense Force; Ambassador Peter Roberts of Australia; Ambassador Kinefuchi Masami of Japan; Ambassador Philip Hewitt of New Zealand; Honored guests; And participants of Hari’i Hamutuk 2021  Good morning! On behalf of the United States of America, I am proud to be with you today …

Under the Biden-Harris Administration, the United States is revitalizing our multilateral partnerships to advance our shared prosperity, security, and values in the Indo-Pacific.  ASEAN is at the center of our vision for the Indo-Pacific, which includes a firm commitment to the ASEAN-centered regional architecture and strong support for the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific.  Building on our …

Bondia! First, I would like to offer my respects to: His Excellency, Brigadier General Calisto Santos Coliati His Excellency, President of Baucau Municipality Olivio Freitas Lieutenant Colonel Rinelde, Colonel Santacroce, and soldiers of the F-FDTL and U.S. Army, Thank you very much for coming. Today is a very special day.  This ceremony marks the end …

Good afternoon, First, I would like to offer my sincere respects to: His Excellency, Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak His Excellency, Lieutenant General Lere Anan Timur His Excellency, Vice Minister of Interior Antonio Armindo His Excellency, Minister of Transport and Communications José Agustinho da Silva His Excellency, President of Baucau Municipality Olivio Freitas His Excellency, …

Your Excellencies, Vice Minister of the Interior, Tony Armindo, Secretary of State for Civil Protection Martins, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.  It is my pleasure to join you to announce additional assistance from the U.S. people and their Government to partner with the Government of Timor-Leste on food recovery following the devastating April 4th flooding. We …

My Respects to: His Excellency, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Planning and Territory, Jose Maria dos Reis Her Excellency, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Adaljiza Magno Good afternoon, Today is a good day.  It’s a good day for Timor-Leste and for the United States, as it marks the beginning of the Joint Rehabilitation …

His Excellency Dr. Rui Augusto Gomes, Minister of Finance; His Excellency Former President Jose Ramos Horta, Her Excellency Sara Lobo Brites, Acting Commissioner Jose Antonio Fatima Abílio, distinguished members of the Government of Timor-Leste; my U.S. Mission Timor-Leste colleagues; honored guests and friends.  Good morning. Earlier this morning we launched USAID’s new Country Development Cooperation …

His Excellency Dr. Rui Augusto Gomes, Minister of Finance; His Excellency Former President Jose Ramos Horta; His Excellency Minister Fidelis Manuel Leite Magalhães, His Excellency Minister Pedro Dos Reis, distinguished members of the Government of Timor-Leste; U.S. Mission Timor-Leste colleagues; honored guests and friends.  Good morning. I am happy to be here with you today …

I would like to offer a few words about the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste. Forged as a new democracy just over 20 years ago, Timor-Leste has already set a fine example for others in its robust democratic institutions, journalistic freedom, and its resilience to adversity. As I have read and learned more in recent months …

Good morning and welcome. I would like to give special thanks to Belun for organizing this event today to commemorate this important occasion: the launch of the first Civil Society Organizations Sustainability Index, or CSOSI Report, for Timor-Leste. The CSOSI is an annual index that reports on the strength and overall viability of the civil-society …

My respects to: The Chief of Staff of  Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Social Communication, Mr. Jorge Gama President of the Press Council, Mr. Virgilio Guterres I am glad to be here to honor these graduates, to honor your work, and to honor the memory of Marie Colvin.  Thank you very much for joining me …

My respects to: Bella Galhos Good afternoon.  I’m delighted to be here today. I would first like to congratulate our YSEALI members for arranging this seminar.  Some of you may have heard me say it before, but we at the U.S. Embassy are always impressed with the energy and insightfulness of the individuals in our …

My respects to: Secretary of State for Youth and Sport, H.E. Mr. Abrao Saldanha Good morning everyone, In September, Ambassador Fitzpatrick had the honor of participating in the beginning of the Mission Driven Alumni Outreach program.  During the competition, we were both impressed with the vision and creativity that the teams displayed.  The teams developed …

Good morning everyone. It is a pleasure to be here this morning to celebrate with you.  I am honored to be here to congratulate you on successfully completing this program.  I commend you for your hard work over the last 2 years.  As a diplomat who has worked in many places with many different languages, …

Good evening. My respects to: Virgilio Guterres, President of the Press Council Joao Saldanha, President of Joao Saldanha University It’s a pleasure to join you all today for the closing ceremony of our Mission-Driven Alumni Outreach program.  We are delighted to be here to celebrate the conclusion of four excellent youth-led projects.  I’d like to …

My respects to:  Your Excellency, Dr. Odete Maria Freitas Belo, Minister of Health Dr. Odete da Silva Viegas, Director General for Services Delivery Ms. Domingas Pereira, Executive Director National Institute of Health Directors, Heads of Departments, and officers from MOH and INS Covalima Municipality Administrator, Mr. Afonso Nogueira Nahak Covalima Municipality Health Services Director, Filipe Pereira Lemos …

Good morning My respects to: F-FDTL Chief of Defense Force Major General Lere Deputy Chief of Defense Brigadier General Falur F-FDTL Chief of Staff Colonel Coliati DCM Pip Venning, Australian Embassy Counsellor Shusaku Hirashima, Japanese Embassy Warrant Officer Aaron French, New Zealand Embassy F-FDTL Component Commanders Honored guests; and participants of Hari’i Hamutuk 2020 Good …

Good morning. My respects to the Director of Community Based Rehabilitation Network -Timor-Leste (CBRN-TL), the NGO Forum representative, the Country Leader of TLM-TL, and all participants and guests. It is my honor to be here today at the final report presentation of CBRN-TL’s program “Expanding Opportunities and Leadership Skills for Women with Disabilities in Self-Help …

My Respects to State Secretary for Social Communication, Mericio Akara President of Timor-Leste Press Union (TLPU), Manuel Pinto TLPU Vice-President, Raimundus Oki Timor-Leste Press Union Secretary General Horacio Babo Good morning and thank you all for taking part in this very important program for journalists on basic online fact checking and verification.   The U.S. Embassy …

My respects to: President of AJTL, Zevonia Viera President of Press Council, Virgilio da Silva Guterres Secretary General of AJTL, Alberico da Costa Junior Journalists and students in this workshop Hello everyone and thank you for organizing this very important workshop on strengthening digital media to fight disinformation in Timor-Leste. I congratulate these 15 students …

My Respects to: Faculty of Education, Arts, and Humanities (FEAH) Dean, Prof. Doutora, Ana Cristina de Jesus S. Martins Rector, H.E. Prof. Doutor, Fransisco Miguel Martins Academic Director of the English Department, Felismina de Araujo ELC Director Belina Rosario Access Primary Teacher Ventos Falur UmaAmerika Director Ezekiel “Zeck” Ribeiro Professors and Adminstrators of UNTL Access …

My respects to, His Excellency José Ramos-Horta Ambassador Andrew Jacobs UNDP Country Director Munkhtuya Altangerel Dili International Film Festival Director Lena Lenzen Distinguished guests Good evening everyone. It is a pleasure to be here tonight together with all of you to once again celebrate the Dili International Film Festival. It is very gratifying that we …

My respects to HE. Mr. José Lucas do Carmo da Silva, Minister of Tourism, Commerce and Industry of Timor-Leste HE. Vice Minister for Community Tourism Inácia da Conceição Teixeira HE. Ambassador of Portugal Manuel Gonçalves de Jesus HE. Ambassador of Indonesia Shat Sitorus HE. Ambassador of New Zealand Phillip Hewitt Good evening everyone. It is …

Good afternoon.  I want to thank you all for joining me this afternoon at this signing ceremony, as we recognize the important work your organizations do.  I am pleased that the U.S. Embassy can help further your efforts as recipients of this year’s 2020 Ambassador’s Small Grant Fund program. What is unique about the Small …

My Respects to: Sunita Caminha, UN Women Head of Office Munkhtuya Altangerel, UNDP Resident Representative Armando da Costa, Director General, Secretary of State for Gender Equality and Inclusion. Good morning everyone. It is truly an honor to be part of the first YSEALI Leadership Academy in Timor-Leste. Over the past few years since Timor-Leste was …

My respects to: HE. Mr. José Lucas do Carmo da Silva, Minister of Tourism, Commerce and Industry of Timor-Leste. Hello everyone and welcome to the Domestic Tourism Expo! I am very pleased to be here with Minister of Tourism Jose Lucas do Carmo to Open this Tourism Expo, who’s theme this year is:   “Let’s promote …

 Excellency Representative of Director General of the Ministry of Health, Administrator of Covalima Municipality, PNTL Commanders, Community Chiefs, USAID Mission Director, UNICEF Country Director, Doctors and nurses and distinguish guest Good morning! I am pleased to join UNICEF Director Valérie Taton, USAID Mission Director Jim Wright and representatives from the Ministry of Health, and all …

Good afternoon everyone. It’s a pleasure to join you all today for the virtual closing ceremony of our Mission-Driven Alumni Outreach program. As you know, this was a two-week program focused on developing leadership, proposal development, and pitching skills.  30 young alumni have been working in 10 teams, with alumni mentors, to develop and implement …

Good morning everyone. Although we are just meeting virtually, it’s a pleasure to celebrate Women’s Equality Day with a group of young female Timorese leaders. Women’s Equality Day was established in the United States to recognize the 19th Amendment to our Constitution.  The nineteenth amendment granted American women the right to vote. Although it took several more decades—and the civil rights movement—for …

Good morning everyone, and my respects to H.E. Mr. Abrao Saldanha, Secretary State of Youth and Sports. I would like to congratulate our YSEALI members Nelania Doutel Sarmento and her entire team for this truly innovative program. By being an active member of our YSEALI program, Nelania was selected in a competitive process to travel …

Good Morning, My respects to: Health Minister – HE Dr. Odete Belo Director General – Dr. Odete da Silva Viegas MoH Director for Health Policy – Mr. Narciso Fernandes Director for Case Management – Dr. Nilton do Carmo da Silva USAID Mission Director Mr. Jim Wright I am pleased to join the Minister of Health …

Good morning! My respects to: UNICEF Country Representative, Valerie Taton Comoro Health Clinic Director USAID Mission Director, Jim Wright I am pleased to join UNICEF Director Valérie Taton and all of you this morning here at Comoro Clinic. Today we celebrate the collaboration between UNICEF, the United States and the Ministry of Health to help …

Your Excellency Sara Lobo Brites, Vice Minister for the Ministry of Finance Mr. José Antonio Fatima Abílio, Customs Authority Acting Commissioner Esteemed National Directors and Customs Authority Officials Honored members of the business community USAID Customs Reform Project Staff and USAID Colleagues Good Afternoon I am very pleased that the US Embassy has been able …

One of the things I love about Timor-Leste – apart from its beautiful mountains and seas – is the way Timorese value their independence and freedom.  Recently, Timorese celebrated 18 years since the restoration of their independence.  Today on the Fourth of July, Americans celebrate 244 years of our independence.  These historic moments are distant …

Good Morning everyone! Thank you members of Hatutan, Codiva and UmaAmerika for arranging this and thanks to everyone for joining this discussion today. I’m very glad to see that young Timorese are working on the issue of equal rights for all. My fellow Americans in the United States right now are facing the inequalities that …

My Respects to: E. Jose Ramos Horta, Former President of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste E. Dulce de Jesus Soares, Minister of Education, Youth and Sport (pending confirmation) E. Filomeno da Paixão de Jesus, Minster of Defense and Acting Minister of Interior F-FDTL Chief of Staff Colonel Calisto “Coliati” Santos Coli EBC Fatumeta School Director …

Hello, I’m Kathleen Fitzpatrick, United States Ambassador to Timor-Leste. I am very happy to join this special video celebration of World Oceans Day 2020. My respects to other fellow participants, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries Director General Acasio Guterres, Ministry of Tourism Director General Jose Quintas, Administrator Post of Atauro Mateus Belo, and Dr. Sylvia Earle of Mission Blue.I would …

My respects to His excellency Rui Araujo, Aurelio Ximenes, Ambassador Abel Guterres, Brigadier Aluk, and CAPT Pedro. This afternoon, the Embassy of the United States of America is donating a large supply of disinfectants and cleaning supplies to the Integrated Crisis Management Office to be distributed to various schools, health clinics, and offices. As the …

My respects to Her/His excellency from the Ministry of Education This afternoon, the Embassy of the United States of America is donating is donating 15,000 reusable fabric masks to the Ministry of Education. These masks are part of the broader effort to support Timor-Leste in the fight against COVID-19. As of today, the United States …

I am proud to join Mrs. Célia Alexandre Gusmão dos Santos, the Director of National Institute of Health today to launch the Human Resources for Health project. It is good that we are able to implement this program at a time when it is needed most. Training healthcare workers is clearly essential for the security …

Good morning. My respects to: 1) Major General Lere, Chief of Defense for the F-FDTL 2) Major General Ellwood, Commander of Australia’s 1st Division 3) Colonel Burnside, USINDOPACOM Policy Director for Southeast Asia Good morning.  I am happy to be here with all of you today to celebrate the construction of the new restroom facility …

Bon Dia. My respects to: 1) Major General Lere, Chief of Defense for the F-FDTL 2) Ambassador Roberts and Major General Ellwood 3) Colonel Yoichiro Rokutan, Chief of International Security Cooperation 4) Colonel Burnside, USINDOPACOM Policy Director for Southeast Asia honored guests; and participants of HARI’I HAMUTUK 2019. I will also like to acknowledge LTC …

My respects to: Assistant Secretary Stilwell His Excellency Merício Juvinal dos Reis ‘Akara’, Secretary of State for Social Communication DLA Piper Delegation MA State Representative Tony Cabral, MA State Senator Marc Pacheco, Judge Phillip Rapoza and Dr. Iskander Rehman from the Pell Center Members of the Press I am honored to be in Timor-Leste as …

Bondia, Good Morning My respects to Her Excellency Minister Dulce de Jesus Soares, Señora Nicole Seibel Chief of Party for the HATUTAN Education and Nutrition Program. I am honored to join you this morning to launch the Hahán ne’ebé Atu fó Tulun ho Nutrisaun no Edukasaun, (HATUTAN) education and nutrition program. HATUTAN is sponsored by …

My respects to Mr. Cancio Xavier, the Chief Public Defender, Mr. Augusto da Costa Castro, the Deputy Commissioner for Criminal Investigation, Mr. Alexandre Faustino Freitas, CAC Deputy Commissioner for Support and Cooperation Service, and our special guest today, Mr. Bruce Harvey, a well-known criminal defense attorney from Atlanta, Georgia. Good morning everyone and thank you …

 Thank you to our guest of honor, His Excellency Fidelis Leite Magalhaes, Minister of Legislative Reform and Parliamentary Affairs. Our respects to members of the Timor-Leste government, the diplomatic corps, civil society members, and distinguished guests. Before I start, I’d like to introduce our new US Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission, Elias Parra.  I know …

My respects to: Her Excellency Maria Angelina Lopes Sarmento, Vice President of the National Parliament of Timor-Leste; Members of Parliament; the Honorable Nick Rahall, former Congressmen from the U.S. state of West Virginia; the Honorable Erik Paulsen, former Congressmen from the U.S. state of Minnesota; Susan Epstein, retired official from the U.S. Congressional Research Service; …

My respects to His Excellency Dr. José Ramos-Horta; representatives from the Ministry of Tourism, Commerce and Industry and the Government of Timor-Leste; the Dili Institute of Technology; my USAID colleagues; distinguished speakers and guests.  Good afternoon. I am happy to join you today for the second International Conference of Emerging Tourism Destinations.  I would like …

Thank you and good morning everyone.  I am pleased to be here to help kick off this important anti-corruption training. I would like to extend our thanks to U.S. District Judge Thomas A. Varlan from the Eastern District of Tennessee in Knoxville, TN and First Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Bennett from the District of Utah. Thank you to Maria Sarmento, …

I would like to thank Democratic Party President Mariano Assanami Sabino and senior PD officials for the opportunity to discuss ongoing cooperation between Timor-Leste and the United States of America. This cooperation covers a wide range of topics and supports one of Timor-Leste’s most important goals – the building of its democratic institutions. The United …

To the National Health Institute Director Antonio Bonito, Pacific Partnership Mission Commander Captain Randy Van Rossum, our partners in local and national government, community members, and of course, the F-FDTL CAS Engineers and the U.S. Navy Seabees.  Good afternoon. First, please join me in another round of applause for the members of the U.S. Navy …

My respects to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation H.E. Dionisio Babo Soares, former President of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate H.E. José Ramos-Horta, Director General of ASEAN Affairs H.E. Ambassador Jorge Camões, H.E of Indonesia H.E. Ambassador Sahat Sitorus, H.E. Ambassador of New Zealand H.E. Ambassador Vicki Poole, …

My respects to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation H.E. Dionisio Babo Soares, Minister of Defense and Acting Minister of the Interior H.E. Filomeno da Paixão de Jesus, General Commander of the Timor-Leste Defense Force Major General Lere Anan Timur, Pacific Partnership 2019 Senior Representative Mr. Joseph Martin, Pacific Partnership Mission Commander Captain Randy …

My respects to the Ministry Of Education District Director of Ainaro Celestino Magno Pereira, Sub-district Administrator Luis Casmiro Lopes, Maubisse School Coordinator Joao Maria Mendonca, Suco Chief Wilson Nivio Mendonca, our partners in local and national government, community members, and of course, the F-FDTL CAS and the U.S. Navy Seabees.  Good morning. I am happy …

Good afternoon. Welcome to this special reception in honor of a distinct group of young American political leaders. This group from the United States is here in Timor-Leste through a partnership between the Government of Timor-Leste and the American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL), with support from the U.S. Department of State. First, I …

Bondia! My respects to His Excellency President of Parliament Arao Noe, Minister Fidelis Leite Magalhães and esteemed colleagues from across government, civil society, and the private sector. I would also like to acknowledge and welcome the Millennium Challenge Corporation team from Washington, DC, who are joining us for this most important event. Thank you for …

Good afternoon. It is an honor to take part in this afternoon’s ceremony. My respects to Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, His Excellency Joaquim Jose Gusmão dos Reis Martins. I would like to acknowledge our friends from Café Cooperativa Timor (CCT) – general manager Mr. Sisto Moniz Piedade, Mr. Ross Brandon, and Mr. Bency Issac. …

Thank you Ambassador Fitzpatrick for hosting this event and for that wonderful introduction. Good afternoon! My name is David Lewen and I’m from the United States of America. I’m very happy to be working in Timor-Leste. My respects to Deputy Prosecutor General Dr. Alfonso Lopez; CAC Commissioner Dr. Sergio Hornai, Ombudsman of Human Rights and …

Good afternoon and welcome to this special reception for the U.S. Embassy’s new Resident Legal Advisor (RLA), David Lewen. I am pleased to introduce David to everyone here today. I also want to acknowledge David’s wife, Julie Lewen, who is here with us today. They have two wonderful children – Madeline and David Paul – …

Secretary of State for Vocational Training and Employment Julião da Silva; Distinguished panelists and guests; Good Morning. It is my pleasure to open this half-day forum on public-private partnerships to grow tourism in Timor-Leste. USAID’s Tourism For All Project has organized a busy morning that will give everyone here a better understanding of Public-Private Partnerships …

Good morning. My name is Kathleen M. Fitzpatrick, U.S. Ambassador to Timor-Leste. I am honored to open this U.S. Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration Outreach Workshop on International Nuclear Safeguards Agreements for Timor-Leste. I would like to give a very warm welcome to our visiting experts from the U.S. Department of Energy. My respects …

(as prepared for delivery) I am delighted to be here with you all today to celebrate the graduation ceremony of the Level One and Two American Language Course sponsored by the US Embassy and the US Indo-Pacific Command. This course was one of the most successful courses in the last several years, with F-FDTL sailors …

(as prepared for delivery) Your Excellencies, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Dioniso Babo Soares and Minister of Education Dulce Soares; Timor-Leste Peace Corps Country Director Kavita Pullapilly; distinguished guests, counterparts and friends. Thank you all for joining us here today for the swearing in of our new Peace Corps Volunteers.  I am very pleased …

Good afternoon. Thank you for your hard work and effort and making this year’s Bilateral Defense Dialogue successful. Thank you Brigadier Jenerál Falur Rate Laek for joining us and Colonel Coliati for hosting this BDD. Major General Vares-Lum, thank you for coming all the way from the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Headquarters in Hawaii. I am …

We are very excited that all of you can join us today for this momentous occasion! I want to take a moment to welcome United States Army Major General Suzanne Vares-Lum of Indo-Pacific Command in Hawaii.  She is with us today to join in this event.  She and her team are here in Dili this …

Good morning! My respects to His Excellency Minister Fidelis Leite Magalhães and esteemed colleagues from across government, civil society, and the private sector. I am very pleased that the United States government chose Timor-Leste for a Millennium Challenge Corporation Compact, a large five-year grant program. As all U.S. government agencies in other countries, the MCC …

To the senior representative of the Timor-Leste Defense Force, Lieutenant Colonel Haksolok (HACK-so-loke), Ambassador Roberts, Ambassador Minami, the soldiers of the Timor-Leste Defense Force, the Australian Defense Force, the Japanese Ground Self Defense Force, and of course, the U.S. Navy Seabees and United States Marines.  Bondia. I am delighted to be here with you all …

To the Chief of Staff of the F-FDTL, Brigadier General Falur Rate Laek, members of the government of Timor-Leste, the Timor-Leste National Police, the Timor-Leste Defense Force, colleague from the Australian Navy, and to the U.S. Navy sailors and officers. Good morning. I am happy to be here with all of you today to mark …

To the Chief of Staff of the F-FDTL, Brigadier General Falur Rate Laek, members of the government of Timor-Leste, the Timor-Leste National Police, the Timor-Leste Defense Force, and to the U.S. Navy sailors and officers.  Bom dia. I am happy to be here with all of you today for the official opening of the 2018 …

Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Commerce Ambassador Isilio Coehlo, other members of the Timor-Leste government, representatives of Timorese communities, Peace Corps, colleagues and friends, I am honored to be a part of today’s Peace Corps Celebration of Service. It is a great pleasure to see these amazing Peace Corps Volunteers here …

To His Excellency Minister of Foreign Affairs Aurelio Guterres, Minister of Health Rui Maria de Araujo, Chief of Defense Force Major General Lere Anan Timur, Brigadier General Woodrow, our partners in local & national government, community members, and of course, the U.S. Pacific Air Forces (PACAF). Bom dia. Thanks to all of you for joining …

To His Excellency Minister of Defense and Security Jose Agustinho Somotxo, local & national government partners, community members, and of course, the U.S. Navy Seabees. Good morning. I am happy to be here with all of you today for the official opening of the Maritime Police Unit’s brand new small boat pier. The pier is …

To His Excellency Vice Minister of Health Luis Lobato, Secretary to the Manatuto District Administrator Agripino Costa, our partners in local & national government, community members, and of course, the U.S. Navy Seabees.  Bom dia. I am happy to be here with all of you today on behalf of the United States Embassy in Timor-Leste …

Thank you and good morning everyone. I am pleased to be here to help kickoff this important training on criminal investigative techniques. This is the latest example of ongoing support from the American people to help strengthen capacity in Timor-Leste’s justice sector. The U.S. Embassy’s Resident Legal Advisor program has collaborated with Timor-Leste’s justice and …

My respect to Finantil High School director and SESIM coordinator Curt “Gabriel” Gabrielson. Good afternoon. Thank you for inviting me here today. I am proud to learn about your studies. I know everyone here today cares about STEM education. That’s why you are here. The reasons are simple. We all know that STEM education is …