Prime Minister Alkatiri, ladies and gentlemen of the press:
Let me begin, Prime Minister, by first thanking you again for the kind invitation to visit your country and to see, first-hand, the considerable progress the Timorese people have achieved in the past six-and-a-half years.
The bustling markets, the rebuilt schools, the functioning government - and above all, the peace and stability - attest to sensible leadership and sound decisions.
The sad fact is that many countries coming out of conflict lapse back into it within five years. It is to your credit and the credit of the people of this new nation, that your future is now one of hope and opportunity, not one of unrest and hopelessness.
It was to see these achievements, and to assure you of the World Bank's continued support that I decided to visit at my first opportunity.
I have not been disappointed. From my discussions on managing petroleum revenue, to my visits to a school or a market or a local drainage project, what I have seen has given me much to think about, and many lessons that we can share with other countries.
It has also become clear to me how critical this time is for Timor-Leste.
The progress of the past few years now needs to be secured for future generations.
Jobs need to be created for the large number of young people who enter your workforce each year. Here the private sector must be allowed to play a lead role.
The quality of education needs to continue improving so that Timor-Leste is able to compete in an increasingly globalized and open world.
And of immediate importance is the management of your revenue from petroleum. The system in place is sound, and can stand as something of a model for other countries.
The fact is that in many cases, oil revenue has hurt developing countries more than it has helped. It has often undermined discipline in public accounts, increased corruption, and actually made social divisions and poverty worse.
I have every confidence that will not be the case in Timor-Leste - but this is definitely an area for continued vigilance going forward.
A strong civil society and a free press will pay significant dividends in keeping people informed about how money is being spent, and also in holding public officials more immediately accountable for their decisions.
I know from my own time in public office that a truly free press and a vigorous civil society are not always kind or a source of comfort, but I do know that they make for a better outcome for the society.
It will also be critical that you continue strengthening your judicial sector and the rule of law. Capacity issues here are a significant problem, of course, and I know steps are underway to address that. It will take time, but there can be no real sustained growth without a strong and predictable legal system.
Finally, let me say again how much I have enjoyed this brief visit. I hope to return some day and see more of the country and meet more of the wonderful people and see more progress towards the building of a strong, growing, democratic Timor-Leste.
You have achieved much, and you have great challenges ahead as this new nation continues to define itself and as people of different backgrounds and beliefs and values learn to live together in harmony.
We wish you and the people of Timor-Leste all success, Prime Minister, and assure you of our continued support, in whatever form is most appropriate, in the critical years ahead.
RSS