Ted Folke's statement for Timor-Leste Culture Week

TED FOLKE'S STATEMENT FOR TIMOR-LESTE CULTURAL WEEK

I would first of like to thank Claudia Abate and the Gabarron Foundation for
making this wonderful event possible. The timing with the recent election
of Prime Minister Jose Ramos Horta as the new president could not be
better.

Originally, my documentary film EAST TIMOR:BETRAYAL AND RESURRECTION was
scheduled to be shown tonight, but circumstances beyond our control have
made that impossible. Like most historical documentaries, the film uses
footage from many sources, and I have been seeking finishing funds to
pay for licensing fees for the past 5 years. Hence, viewing of the film has
been restricted to private , non-commercial gatherings on behalf of Timor-leste
such as this one.

Much to their credit, all license owners of music or footage used the film
have permitted me to donate the film for these screenings. That is, until
now. An Australian filmmaker named Carmela Baranowska chose this
moment to demand an extraordinary sum of money from both and
Claudia Abate at the last minute, and all my attempts to negotatiate
a screening fee for this event have failed.

For this, I humbly apoligize.

However, instead, we will show you an excerpt from the new film
I am working about the economic development of Timor-Leste.
This film is a co-production with TV Timr Loros'ae, and is being
done on the express personal invitation of H.E. President Xanana
Gusmao. The title: TIMOR-LESTE: NATION BUILDING 101

I hope you enjoy it!

A luta continua,
Ted Folke