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2004 should be year of 'stability': Gusmao

Source
Lusa - December 22, 2003

Dili – President Xanana Gusmco challenged East Timor's parliament Monday to make 2004 "the year of stability" for the newly independent nation.

Gusmco, addressing parliament to mark the end of its first session, called on the lawmakers to give priority to approving laws regulating local power structures and the civil service, along with the creation of a Council of State and a High Defense Council.

Though now independent, Gusmco said the Timorese state remained "weak" and in need of consolidation.

Democratic practice was also marred, the president added, saying it was serving as "an instrument of pure criticism" for the opposition, while the governing Fretilin party made "too much use" of its wide majority to do whatever it pleased.

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