| RAMOS-HORTA TAKES TIMOR-LESTE TO HOLLYWOOD | |
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By Idalina Silva
Dr Ramos-Horta has attended several dinners in the lead up to this year’s Oscar ceremony, attended by such high powered Hollywood names as Director Oliver Stone and Producer/Director Werner Herzog. On Sunday (5th March), Dr Ramos-Horta will attend the Oscar Night in Los Angeles - watched by millions in the US around the world. He is a guest of the Mayor of Los Angeles and Amnesty International. “Make no mistake – this is an opportunity to take Timor-Leste to the world,” Dr Ramos-Horta said. “There are many good hearted and well meaning people in the movie industry who care about issues facing Timor-Leste. “I have made many friends here and am trying to generate interest in producers and directors to look at Timor-Leste as a possible site for shooting films and setting up studios. We are well situated in Asia, and the film industry is increasingly coming to Asia,” Dr Ramos-Horta said. During his stay in Los Angeles, Dr Ramos-Horta was entertained by well known Hollywood personalities, including movie star Michael Caine, powerful agent Ed Lamato and script writer Jan Sharpie. “Thanks to the Los Angeles branch of Amnesty International and other friends of Timor-Leste, we have seen many special moments celebrating Timor-Leste over the last few days,” Dr Ramos-Horta said. “Hundreds of hand-made pouches made by a group of women from Maubara were purchased by Amnesty and offered as souvenirs to more than 300 guests at a special dinner celebrating the Oscars. “Many of these people did not even know where East Timor was before this dinner – and now they are enthusiastic supporters,” Dr Ramos-Horta said. While in Washington, Dr Ramos-Horta was received in the US Senate by Senator Tom Harkin (Democrat, Iowa), a long standing advocate of Timor-Leste, in a function attended by Senators of both parties. He also spoke at the John Hopkins University on the theme “The United Nations and the United States: A View from Afar”. In New York, Dr Ramos-Horta met with Senior United Nations Officials, US Ambassador John Bolton, and spoke at the Asia Society. On 6th March, Dr Ramos-Horta departs for Lisbon for a working meeting with his Portuguese counterpart, Professor Diogo Freitas do Amaral, and to attend the swearing-in of the newly elected President of Portugal, Professor Anibal Cavaco Silva on 9th March. Cathy Molnar
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