- José Ramos-Horta
Infobox President
name = José Ramos-Horta
honorific-suffix = GCL
order =President of East Timor
primeminister =Xanana Gusmão
term_start =17 April 2008
term_end =
predecessor = Fernando de Araújo (Acting)
successor =
primeminister2 =Estanislau da Silva Xanana Gusmão
term_start2 =20 May 2007
term_end2 =13 February 2008
predecessor2 =Xanana Gusmão
successor2 =Vicente Guterres (Acting)
order3 =Prime Minister of East Timor
president3 =Xanana Gusmão
deputy3 =
term_start3 =26 June 2006
term_end3 =19 May 2007
predecessor3 =Mari Alkatiri
successor3 =Estanislau da Silva
birth_date = birth date and age|1949|12|26|df=y
birth_place =Dili ,East Timor
religion =Roman Catholic
party = IndependentJosé Manuel Ramos-Horta (Portuguese: IPA2|ʒu'zɛ 'ʁɐmuz 'oɾtɐ), GCL (born
26 December 1949 ) is the second President ofEast Timor since independence fromIndonesia , taking office on20 May 2007 . He is a co-recipient of the 1996Nobel Peace Prize and a former Prime Minister, having served from 2006 until his inauguration as President after winning the 2007 East Timorese presidential election. [Donald Greenlees, [http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/05/11/news/timor.php "East Timor hopes new leader will heal divisions"] , "International Herald Tribune",11 May 2007 .] As a founder and former member of theRevolutionary Front for an Independent East Timor (FRETILIN), Ramos-Horta served as the exiled spokesman for theEast Timor ese resistance during the years of theIndonesian occupation of East Timor (1975 to 1999). While he has continued to work with FRETILIN, Ramos-Horta resigned from the party in 1988, and has since remained an independent politician. [The Age (2006). [http://www.theage.com.au/news/world/horta-vows-to-rebuild-timor/2006/07/09/1152383610425.html Ramos Horta vows to rebuild Timor] . Retrieved27 September 2006 .]After East Timor achieved independence in 2002, Ramos-Horta was appointed as the country's first
Foreign Minister . He served in this position until his resignation on25 June 2006 , amidst political turmoil. On26 June , following the resignation of Prime MinisterMari Alkatiri , Ramos-Horta was appointed acting Prime Minister by the President,Xanana Gusmão . Two weeks later, on10 July 2006 , he was officially sworn in as the second Prime Minister of East Timor. On11 February 2008 , Ramos-Horta was injured when he was shot during anassassination attempt.Early history and family
Of "mestiço" ethnicity, [ [http://www.ramos-horta.org/about.htm Dr. José Ramos-Horta ] ] Ramos-Horta was born in
Dili , capital of East Timor, to a Timorese mother and a Portuguese father who had been exiled to what was thenPortuguese Timor by the Salazar dictatorship. He was educated in aCatholic mission in the small village of Soibada, later chosen byFRETILIN as headquarters after the Indonesian invasion. Of his eleven brothers and sisters, four were killed by theIndonesian military .Ramos-Horta studied Public
International Law at theHague Academy of International Law (1983) and atAntioch University where he completed a Master of Arts degree inPeace Studies (1984). He was trained inHuman Rights Law at theInternational Institute of Human Rights inStrasbourg (1983). He attended Post-Graduate courses inAmerican Foreign Policy atColumbia University in New York (1983). He is a Senior Associate Member of theUniversity of Oxford 's St Antony's College (1987).He is divorced from
Ana Pessoa Pinto , East Timor's Minister for State and Internal Administration. They have a son, Loro.Political career
He was actively involved in the development of political awareness in Portuguese Timor which caused him to be exiled for two years in 1970–71 to
Portuguese East Africa . His grandfather, before him, had also been exiled, fromPortugal to theAzores Islands, thenCape Verde , Portuguese Guinea and finally to Portuguese Timor.A moderate in the emerging Timorese nationalist leadership, he was appointed
Foreign Minister in the "Democratic Republic of East Timor" government proclaimed by the pro-independence parties in November 1975. When appointed minister, Ramos-Horta was only 25 years old. Ramos-Horta left East Timor three days before the Indonesian troops invaded to plead the Timorese case before theUnited Nations .Ramos-Horta arrived in
New York to address the UN Security Council and urge them to take action in the face of the Indonesian occupation during which an estimated 102,000 East Timorese would die. [A detailed statistical report prepared for theCommission for Reception, Truth and Reconciliation in East Timor cited a lower range of 102,800 conflict-related deaths in the period 1974-1999, namely, approximately 18,600 killings and 84,200 'excess' deaths from hunger and illness. (cite web |author=Benetech Human Rights Data Analysis Group |title=The Profile of Human Rights Violations in Timor-Leste, 1974-1999 |work=A Report to the Commission on Reception, Truth and Reconciliation of Timor-Leste |publisher=Human Rights Data Analysis Group (HRDAG) |date=9 February 2006 |url=http://www.hrdag.org/resources/timor_chapter_graphs/timor_chapter_page_02.shtml] Ramos-Horta was the Permanent Representative of FRETILIN to the UN for the next ten years. His friends at that time mentioned that he arrived in theUnited States with a total of twenty-five dollars in his pocket. His pecuniary situation was often straitened in that period; he survived partly by grace of Americans who admired his politics and his determination. Further, he was obliged to travel worldwide to explain his party's position.In 1993, the
Rafto Prize was awarded to the people of East Timor. Foreign-minister-in-exile José Ramos-Horta represented his nation at the prize ceremony.In December 1996, Ramos-Horta shared the
Nobel Peace Prize with his fellow countryman, Bishop Ximenes Belo. The Nobel Committee chose to honour the two laureates for their "sustained efforts to hinder the oppression of a small people", hoping that "this award will spur efforts to find a diplomatic solution to the conflict of East Timor based on the people's right to self-determination". The Committee considered Ramos-Horta "the leading international spokesman for East Timor's cause since 1975". [The Norwegian Nobel Committee (2006). [http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/1996/press.html The Nobel Peace Prize 1996] . Retrieved26 June 2006 .]Ramos-Horta played a leading role in negotiating the institutional foundations for independence. He led the Timorese delegation at an important joint workshop with UNTAET on
1 March 2000 to tease out a new strategy, and identify institutional needs. The outcome was an agreed blueprint for a joint administration with executive powers, including leaders of theNational Congress for Timorese Reconstruction (CNRT). Further details were worked out in a conference in May 2000. The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in East Timor,Sérgio Vieira de Mello , presented the new blueprint to a donor conference in Lisbon, [ [http://www.un.org/peace/etimor/DB/DB210600.HTM Dili, 21 June 2000 ] ] on22 June 2000 , and to the UN Security Council on27 June 2000 . [ [http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2000/20000627.sc6882.doc.html [27 Jun 2000 SC/6882 : SECURITY COUNCIL BRIEFED BY SERGIO VIEIRA DE MELLO, SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR EAST TIMOR ] ] On12 July 2000 , the NCC adopted a regulation establishing a Transitional Cabinet composed of four East Timorese and four UNTAET representatives. [http://www.unmit.org/UNMISETWebSite.nsf/TimeLineofUNMISET.htm?OpenPage] The revamped joint administration successfully laid the institutional foundations for independence, and on27 September 2002 , East Timor joined the United Nations. Ramos-Horta was its first Foreign Minister.On
3 June 2006 , Ramos-Horta added the post of Interim Minister of Defense to his portfolio as Foreign Minister, in the wake of the resignations of the previous minister. [ Seattle Times (3 June 2003 ). [http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2003036599_wdig03.html Nobel laureate takes security posts] .] He resigned as both Foreign and Defence Minister on25 June 2006 , announcing, "I do not wish to be associated with the present government or with any government involving Alkatiri." [Australian Associated Press (2006). [http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/ramos-horta-resigns-from-government/2006/06/25/1151174067550.html Timor's foreign minister resigns] . Retrieved25 June 2006 .] Prime Minister Alkatiri had been under pressure to resign his position in place of PresidentXanana Gusmão , but in a June 25 meeting, leaders of the FRETILIN party agreed to keep Alkatiri as Prime Minister; Ramos-Horta resigned immediately following this decision. [Associated Press (2006). [http://www.theage.com.au/news/world/alkatiri-to-remain-as-pm/2006/06/25/1151174068313.html Alkatiri to remain as PM] . Retrieved25 June 2006 .]Foreign Minister of Australia Alexander Downer expressed his personal disappointment at Ramos-Horta's resignation. [ AM (2006). [http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2006/s1671599.htm Downer disappointed by Horta resignation] . Retrieved26 June 2006 .] Following Alkatiri's resignation on26 June , Ramos-Horta withdrew his resignation to contest the prime ministership and served in the position on a temporary basis until a successor to Alkatiri was named. [Reuters (2006). [http://za.today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2006-07-08T080841Z_01_BAN829310_RTRIDST_0_OZATP-TIMOR-20060708.XML Jose Ramos-Horta to be East Timor prime minister] . Retrieved8 July 2006 .] On8 July 2006 , Ramos-Horta himself was appointed Prime Minister by President Gusmão. [Associated Press (2006). [http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200607/s1681879.htm Ramos-Horta named E Timor's new PM] . Retrieved8 July 2006 .] He was sworn in on10 July 2006 .Before his appointment as Prime Minister, Ramos-Horta was considered a possible candidate to succeed
Kofi Annan asUnited Nations Secretary-General . [UNSG.org (2006). [http://www.unsg.org/wordpress/archives/75 Spec growing on Ramos-Horta] . Retrieved27 September 2006 .] He dropped out of the race in order to serve as East Timor's Prime Minister, but he has indicated that he might run for the UN position at some time in the future: "I can wait five years if I am really interested in the job in 2012. I would be interested in that." [The Courier Mail (2006). [http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,,19682949-401,00.html Ramos Horta ‘on PM shortlist’] . Retrieved27 September 2006 .]In an interview with
Al Jazeera broadcast on22 February 2007 , Ramos-Horta said that he would run for president in the April 2007 election. [ [http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/544C4BD4-81F3-4960-ADEF-5FB878F05846.htm "East Timor PM to run for president"] , Al Jazeera,22 February 2007 .] On25 February 2007 , Ramos-Horta formally announced his candidacy. He received the support of Gusmão, who was not running for re-election. [ [http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/02/25/asia/AS-GEN-East-Timor-Elections-Ramos-Horta.php "Nobel laureate Jose Ramos-Horta to run for president in East Timor"] , Associated Press ("International Herald Tribune"),24 February 2007 .]In the first round of the election, held on
9 April , Ramos-Horta took second place with 21.81% of the vote; he and FRETILIN candidateFrancisco Guterres , who took first place, then participated in the second round of the election in May. [ [http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,21580647-5005961,00.html "Two set to square off for presidency"] , AAP (news.com.au),18 April 2007 .] The full results of the runoff elections were made public by East Timor's National Electorial Committee spokeswoman, Maria Angelina Sarmento, on11 May , and Ramos-Horta won with 69% of the vote. [ [http://english.people.com.cn/200705/11/eng20070511_373864.html "Guterres congratulates Horta as new president of Timor-Leste"] , Xinhua ("People's Daily Online"),11 May 2007 .]Presidency
He was inaugurated as President of
East Timor in a ceremony at the parliament house inDili on20 May 2007 . [ [http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,21763024-1702,00.html "Ramos-Horta sworn in as E Timor president"] ,20 May 2007 .] He had resigned as Prime Minister the day before and was succeeded byEstanislau da Silva .Assassination attempt
On
11 February 2008 , José Ramos-Horta was shot in an assassination attempt. In the gun skirmish, one of Ramos-Horta's guards was wounded, and two rebel soldiers, including rebel leaderAlfredo Reinado , were killed.cite news |title=Ramos-Horta wounded |url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/ramoshorta-wounded/2008/02/11/1202578639815.html |publisher="The Sydney Morning Herald " |date=2008-02-11 |accessdate=2008-02-11 ] cite news |title=Ramos Horta wounded, Reinado dead in Timor attack |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/02/11/2159179.htm |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=2008-02-11 |accessdate=2008-02-11 ] Ramos-Horta was treated atDili Australian military base before being transferred to theRoyal Darwin Hospital inAustralia for further treatment. Doctors thought that he had been shot two or three times with the most serious injury being to his right lung. [ [http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080212/ap_on_re_as/east_timor Australian troops arrive in East Timor] . AP,12 February 2008 .] His condition was listed as critical but stable. [ [http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,23193948-1702,00.html news.com.au/story, Ramos-Horta on way to Darwin] ] He was placed in aninduced coma on fulllife support , [cite news | publisher=BBC News Online | title=East Timor leader 'in induced coma' | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7238142.stm | accessdate=2008-02-11] and regained consciousness on21 February . [cite news | title=Ramos-Horta regains consciousness | url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/02/21/2168775.htm | publisher ABC News | date=2008-02-21 | accessdate=2008-02-21] A message from Ramos-Horta, still recovering in Darwin, was broadcast onMarch 12 . In this message, he thanked his supporters and Australia and said that he had "been very well looked after". A spokesman said that his condition was improving and that he had started taking short daily walks for exercise. [Ed Johnson, [http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601081&sid=a2RY_dcGiNkA&refer=australia "East Timor's Ramos-Horta Thanks Supporters From Hospital Bed"] , Bloomberg.com,12 March 2008 .]Ramos-Horta was released from the Royal Darwin Hospital on
19 March , although he said that he would stay in Australia forphysical therapy for "a few more weeks". He also said on this occasion that he had remained conscious following the shooting and "remember [ed] every detail", describing how he was taken for treatment. [ [http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/03/19/asia/AS-GEN-Australia-East-Timor.php "Timorese president leaves Australian hospital after treatment following Feb. attack"] , Associated Press ("International Herald Tribune"),19 March 2008 .] OnApril 17 , Ramos-Horta returned to Dili from Darwin. He gave a press conference at the airport in which he urged the remaining rebels in the mountains to surrender. [Lindsay Murdoch, [http://www.theage.com.au/news/world/emotional-homecoming-for-ramos-horta/2008/04/17/1208025328598.html "Emotional homecoming for Ramos Horta"] , theage.com.au,17 April 2008 .]References
External links
* [http://www.ramos-horta.org Ramos-Horta's website]
* [http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/1996/ramos-horta-cv.html Nobel Prize biography]
* [http://unsg.org Who will be the next UN Secretary General?]
* [http://www.abc.net.au/tv/enoughrope/transcripts/s1105715.htm Australian television interview transcript (2004)]Persondata
NAME=Ramos-Horta, José Manuel
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION=Prime Minister of East Timor
DATE OF BIRTH=26 December 1949
PLACE OF BIRTH=Dili ,East Timor
DATE OF DEATH=living
PLACE OF DEATH=
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.