Timor-Leste's two veterans' commissions are preparing a public information campaign this month in advance of the December 1 posting of their provisional list of registered veterans. The list will recognize formally those who fought for Timor-Leste's independence between 1975 and 1999. The number of registered veterans on the list is expected to be about 30,000. The commissions' list is based on data compiled from more than 60,000 questionnaires sent out to people around the country earlier this year to help identify veterans. About 35,000 questionnaires were returned.

The public information campaign starts on Nov. 17, 2003. Through it the commissions will tell people across the country where the names will be posted and how they can make claims or suggest changes.

The campaign includes announcements in Timor-Leste's newspapers, on television, and on a dozen radio stations, including eight community radio stations outside the capital of Dili. In rural areas, most people receive information from the radio. Also, the commissions have printed 26,000 flyers for distribution around the country. Later this month, the national commissions also will host training sessions for their district and subdistrict commissioners.

On Dec. 1, 2003, commission offices in each of Timor-Leste's 13 districts will post the names of all their residents who have been registered as veterans. Each of the country's 65 subdistricts will post the names of veterans in all of its villages, and each village will have a list of the veterans who live there. Members of public will have 30 days to respond. This will provide an opportunity for those who would like to add their names to the list to contact the commission office. Early next year the commissions plan a period of discussion about the public's suggestions and seminars with experts from other countries with similar experiences. In March 2004, the commissions will make formal recommendations to the government.

President Xanana Gusmao established the veterans' commissions in September 2002 to create a register of veterans. One commission, the Commission for Former Combatants' Affairs (CAAC) is involved with veterans who fought from 1975 to 1979. The second, the Commission for Falintil Veterans' Affairs (CAVF), covers the period of 1979 to 1999, the year that Timorese voted overwhelmingly for independence from Indonesia. The commissions work together to identify and confirm the nation's many veterans and to make policy and legislation recommendations on veterans' issues to the government.

Establishing a formal registry and providing appropriate recognition and support to veterans are important issues in Timor-Leste. Reintegration, reconciliation, and representation for the nation's tens of thousands of veterans are vital to the continued stability and security of the country. USAID supports the work of the commissions with grants totaling more than $200,000.

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