DILI, 19 august 2022 (TATOLI) – The Chief of the General Staff of the Portuguese Armed Forces, together with his Timorese counterpart, ‘Falur Rate Laek’, accompanied by the President of the League of Combatants of Portugal, Lieutenant-General Chito Rodrigues, and the President of the National Council of Combatants of National Liberation of Timor-Leste, Vidal de Jesus ‘Riak Leman’ inaugurated the Portuguese memorial monument called ‘Calma’ in Lahane Oriental, Dili.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, the President of the League of Combatants of Portugal, Lieutenant-General Chito Rodrigues said that the rehabilitation of the Calma monument was important as it revived the memories of World War II experienced by Portugal and Timor-Leste.
“Rehabilitation of this monument means rehabilitating our memories of the past. Let’s cooperate and support each other so that the future will be better and more peaceful,” Rodrigues told TATOLI at the inauguration ceremony of the rehabilitation of the Calma monument, in Lahanae Oriental, in Dili, on thursday.
He said therefore the monument has a deep meaning which represents the historical symbol of unity and strong ties between the two brotherly countries: “Indeed this monument has a deep, historical and symbolic meaning for the countries.”
Rodrigues said Portugal has around 450 historical monuments across the world: “They evoke the memories of Portuguese involvement in the overseas war.”
At the same place, the President of the National Council of Combatants of National Liberation of Timor-Leste, Vidal de Jesus ‘Riak Leman’ said that the inauguration of the historical monument depicts the memories of the Portuguese soldiers who were the victims of World War II.
“Thus, the memories are very essential in our lives because they allow us to grow stronger, especially our ties with Portugal,” he said.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges
