REPÚBLICA DEMOCRÁTICA DE TIMOR-LESTE
IV CONSTITUITONAL GOVERNMENT
MEDIA RELEASE Díli- July 7, 2009
Statement
By
The Spokesperson of the IV Constitutional Government,
The Secretary of State for the Council of Ministers

July 7, 2009

The Prime Minister, His Excellency Xanana Gusmão, will leave for Singapore this morning
(July 7, 2009) to receive specialist medical treatment for a chronic back injury he has
suffered since the time of the guerrilla struggle.

This pain emerged when he was in the United Nations for the glorifying day of accession to
full membership of the United Nations in 2002, when he required a wheelchair.

The same injury was exacerbated recently after a long car trip on a Government working
visit to the enclave district of Oe-Cusse Ambeno.

Timorese medical doctors have strongly advised that Prime Minister Gusmão depart to
Singapore to undergo a thorough medical evaluation and receive applicable treatment.

The Acting Prime Minister, for the duration of the Prime Minister’s treatment in Singapore,
will be The Vice Prime Minister, His Excellency José Luis Guterres.

The Secretary of State of the Council of Ministers and Official Spokesman of the IV
Constitutional Government, Agio Pereira will provide updates on Prime Minister Gusmão’s
progress. ENDS

For More Information Please Contact: Ágio Pereira +670 723 0011; E-mail:
agiopereira@...