Ta Nea Tis Kyriakis (The News of Sunday)
Interview with the Prime Minister of Timor:
Hello readers of our newspaper. Yesterday we had the honor to interview the Prime Minister of Timor, Mr. Mario de Polonia. As we all know Timor was the only Greek colony and under the leadership of Mario it revolted and became independent. Also Timor is the home of the second largest Greek Minority, after Turkey. Mr. Hatzykyriakos (HJ) interviewed the Prime Minister of Timor.
HJ: Hello, Mr. Mario de Polonia. We come from the Greek magazine ''Ta Nea Tis Kyriakis''. We would like to ask you some questions. First, we've heard that there is a Greek Party in Timor. What are the goals of this Party? Also do you agree with some of their goals?
MdP: Well, I'm only familiar with the publicly stated goals of the Hellenic Party, but as I understand it their primary goal is to ensure the interests of the remaining Greek population are represented in parliament and ensuring they aren't marginalised, much like the goals of the Lisboa Party only for Greeks instead of Portuguese. Personally I agree with their stated goals, the actions of the former Greek state created a certain amount of enmity against Hellenes among native Timorese and I hope that Greek representation in parliament will aid in bringing the levels down.
HJ: Is there any racism against the Greeks by the native Timorese? Do native Timorese use violence against the Greek citizens? What does the state do?
MdP: There is unfortunately, and it goes in both directions. Fortunately violence from either side is rare and punished when it occurs. We do our best to improve relations between the Greek and native populations but it will take time, in a lot of people's minds the Greeks are just like the Portuguese.
HJ: I uderstand. Are there any Greek Schools in Timor?
MdP: Yes, we do encourage Greeks and Timorese to attend the same schools to break down the barriers between us but so long as the schools properly educate their children we see no reason to prevent Greek schools.
HJ: Okay. Another question. Timor was under two colonial occupations: Greek and Portugese. Which of the two states treated the Timorese people with more repsect?
MdP: The Portuguese occupation was much longer and during a less civilised time. Both Greeks and Portuguese tried to stamp their culture over that of the natives, as you can see by our names and common language the Portuguese succeeded to an extent, maybe if the Greek occupation lasted longer you would have too.
HJ: About the economic situation in Timor, how did you manage to develope such an economy? What were your policies?
MdP: Rapid industrialisation, hard work and not having our resources siphoned to Europe for miserly compensation
HJ: Do you support a unification of Eastern and Western Timor? If yes, by what means you will try to unite the Island?
MdP: Yes, by peaceful three party negotiations between Timor-Leste, the Netherlands and the people of Dutch Timor.
HJ: As you know, before 3 years the Hellenic Republic was dissolved, Greece united with Serbia, Monarchy was restored and King Alexander I of Serbia became King of the UKGS and the capital was moved to Belgrade. What is your opinion about the Union of Greece and Serbia? Also what is your opinon about the restoration of Monarchy in Greece?
MdP: I understand it is reasonably popular and it is my belief that the decision of a sovereign nation should be respected by other nations.
HJ: Do you think that a UKGS- Timor military alliance is possible?
MdP: Perhaps, but it will take time, we still haven't forgotten the two flotilla's that set out, even though they turned back.
HJ: Finally, what are your thoughts about the Greco - Timor relations?
MdP: It is my hope that relations will strengthen and we can eventually view each other as respected and equal brothers in the global family.
HJ: We Thank you for your time. We hope that we will interview you again.
That was the interview of the Prime Minister of Timor. We hope that the relations between Timor and Greece will strengthen.
Next Article: The defeat of the Greeks in Timor and the fall of the Liberal Government
Next time with our Article we will see: What was the situation in Timor just before the revolution? How Greece was forced to back up from Timor? How the Chinese Campaign caused the anger of the people and the fall of the Liberal Party? And how the defeat of the Greeks in Timor caused the fall of the Hellenic Republic and the restoration of Monarchy? We will answer those questions in next Sunday. Until then, have a good day.