Sir, - The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Brian Cowen, is to be congratulated for insisting that a UN presence must remain in East Timor for the forseeable future (The Irish Times November 1st).
Added to that this campaign welcomes the decision that Irish troops will remain in the territory as part of the UN peacekeeping forces. In its capacity as president of the Security Council, Ireland has indeed lived up to its stated commitment to "walk a little further" with the people of East Timor.
The economic future of Timor seems to be secure with the oil reserves in the Timor Sea due to come on line within five years. However, in the immediate future, the fledgling nation faces many difficulties particularly in the areas of job creation, education and capacity building. East Timor can learn a lot from Ireland in attracting inward investment leading to employment for local people. Added to this, as we have seen in this country, investment in education pays dividends in the long term.
I encourage education institutions, job-creating agencies and others to seek out avenues of co-operation with the emerging nation. This campaign would be only too willing to act as a conduit for such initiatives. - Yours, etc.,
Tom Hyland, East Timor Campaign, Dame Street, Dublin 2.