30 March 2001 -- Following Xanana Gusmão's resignation on Wednesday as President of East Timor's National Council, the head of the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) today praised the "crucial" role played by the Timorese leader within the Council.

In reaction to Mr. Gusmão's resignation letter of 28 March, UNTAET chief Sergio Vieira de Mello said he "sympathized" with the Timorese leader and that he "understood his position."

Mr. Vieira de Mello hailed Mr. Gusmão's role as National Council President, particularly in relation to the approval of a consensual regulation on the elections and the registration of political parties, signed on 16 March.

The UNTAET chief also stressed that Mr. Gusmão would now have more time, as President of the CNRT (National Council of Timorese Resistance), to work for reconciliation and national unity, and to work together with the East Timorese people and the UN Administration to ensure a peaceful and responsible process towards independence. The National Council will reconvene on 2 April for the first time since Mr. Gusmão's resignation.

In other news, three new refurbished buildings of the National University of East Timor were inaugurated today by the Mayor of Lisbon, João Soares, and the East Timorese Cabinet Member for Social Affairs Farther Filomeno Jacob. Mr. Vieira de Mello, Mr. Gusmão and other Transitional Cabinet Members attended the ceremony.

Close to 1,000 education students and more than 600 economics students will use the complex, with classes starting in two weeks. The reconstruction was funded by Lisbon City Hall, at a cost of $2.5 million.

 

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Not an official document of the United Nations. Maintained by the Peace and Security Section of the Department of Public Information in cooperation with the Department of Peacekeeping Operations. (c) United Nations 2001