04-10-2002 11:18:00. Notícia nº 4182495…

East Timor: Gusmao begins 5-day visit to bolster relations with Portugal

President Xanana Gusmao arrived in Lisbon Friday for a five-day, relations-boosting visit to East Timor's former colonial ruler, saying there was "much to do" in his country and that Timorese must "live up to the expectations" of Portuguese friends.

Gusmao, who came to Portugal after a visit to the United States, said he would only discuss the general framework of relations and cooperation with Lisbon, as specific policies depended on Dili's government, not the president.

During his five-day stay, his first visit to Lisbon as the new nation's president, he will hold talks with President Jorge Sampaio and Prime Minister Jose Manuel Durao Barroso, among other senior officials.

Gusmao, who is accompanied by Dili's health minister and deputy foreign minister, was also scheduled to meet with Portuguese bankers and business leaders and with Timorese working and studying in Portugal.

Fisheries, tourism and telecommunications, Gusmao said, were investment areas he hoped Portuguese investors would consider in East Timor.

The official visit begins Saturday, with Gusmao devoting Friday to rest and a medical checkup for back problems that forced him to lighten his schedule in Washington, where he was received at the White House by President George Bush.

SAS/OL -Lusa-

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