An independence activist A refugee living in exile for 24 years
A leader of a political party
Minister of infrastructure
Prime minister
A candidate for presidential election
This is a brief summary of Joao Carrascalao's life. And starting last August he began working in Korea as the top diplomat of East Timor.
"I chose to come, because I really fell in love with this country and its people," he said during an interview with The Korea Times in his Hannam-dong office, in Seoul,Korea.
As he continued, it became clear that his comment wasn't mere diplomatic rhetoric that carried no meaning.
Many East Timorese, the ambassador said, view Korea as one of their very good friends that helped them when the country was struggling.
"Former President Kim Dae-jung played a very important role in supporting our struggle. Therefore, it was felt very strong in the hearts of Timorese," Carrascalao said as to why.
The late Kim addressed the issue to leaders of APEC member states during its annual meeting in New Zealand in 1999.
Korea was also one of the first to join international nation-building efforts in East Timor.
It dispatched "Evergreen Troops" ― 440 soldiers ― in 1999 as part of U.N. peacekeeping forces, and they stayed until March in 2003. Carrascalao also appreciated Korea's swift opening of an embassy in Dili, the capital.
The two countries established diplomatic ties in 2002, and Korea opened the embassy the same year.
Although belated, the opening of the East Timorese Embassy in Seoul - it opened last March - carries a significant implication. The embassy is one of only 17 embassies the country has around the world.
East Timor has opened foreign missions mostly in Portuguese speaking countries, including Portugal, Brazil and Angola, and other important nations, the ambassador said.
The rank of the ambassador as a top politician and former minister also hints at Korea's significance to the Timorese.
Carrascalao said three things will be his top priorities, the first being student exchanges.
Timorese students with East Timor President Dr.Jose Ramos Horta & The embassador of Timor Leste to South Korea Mr.Joao CarrascalaoHe said he believes young students' overseas experience will be so useful when they return home. So far, he has managed to bring 12, yet, is working to increase the number.
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Another priority will be an exchange of workers - by this, he didn't mean cheap labor for Koreans.
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Workers from East Timor will learn skills, for example, in agriculture, which will help to grow their own vegetables in large quantities, he said.
"Then we won't have to import vegetables from China."
Thirdly, he wants to promote East Timor as a tourist attraction for Koreans.
"I know many Koreans go to Asian countries for their honeymoon. They can consider East Timor as an option."
The tourism infrastructure still has a room to grow, and he encouraged Korean investors to come along the newlyweds. East Timor is on an island sharing half of the land with Indonesia.
As a former Portuguese colony, the land of 15,000 square kilometers is immersed in Portuguese culture.
Ninety-five percent of the population is Catholic, whereas Indonesia is the world's biggest Muslim country.
"Although we share the border, our cultures are different," Carrascalao said.
In the wake of the Carnation Revolution, Portugal began a decolonization process, giving colonies the right to choose their own destiny.
East Timor, after nearly 450 years under Portuguese influence, decided to declare its independence.
Indonesia didn't want to see that happen, one of the reasons of which, some argued, was the abundant natural resources the small piece of land possesses.
Indonesia invaded the territory in 1975 ― that's when Carrascalao fled the country. By July 1976, Indonesia annexed East Timor as part of its 27th province.
Resistance against the Indonesian military presence within the country began and overseas independence movement spread.
The ambassador initiated an overseas campaign in Australia.
Efforts gained international support, which pressured Indonesia to hold a referendum on the future of East Timor in 1999.
The result was in favor of independence with a majority of 78 percent of the votes.
The Indonesian military-supported East Timorese pro-integration militia and the Indonesian military carried out violence, killing 1,400 and hundreds of thousands fled the country, and destroyed the country's infrastructure.
In October 1999, the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) established the administration of East Timor, and elections were held for a Constituent Assembly to draft a Constitution, of which the ambassador was part.
The ambassador called for continuous support from Korea. Being a continuous consumer of its natural gas would be one thing, he hoped.
Currently, Korea Gas Corporation imports natural gas from the country. "We want to learn how to use all these resources for the benefit of the people," he said.
Rest In Peace Mr. Joao Viegas Carrascalao ( The embassador of Timor Leste to South Korea) You will always be remember and we miss you already...ㅠㅠ
"Then we won't have to import vegetables from China."
Thirdly, he wants to promote East Timor as a tourist attraction for Koreans.
"I know many Koreans go to Asian countries for their honeymoon. They can consider East Timor as an option."
The tourism infrastructure still has a room to grow, and he encouraged Korean investors to come along the newlyweds. East Timor is on an island sharing half of the land with Indonesia.
As a former Portuguese colony, the land of 15,000 square kilometers is immersed in Portuguese culture.
Ninety-five percent of the population is Catholic, whereas Indonesia is the world's biggest Muslim country.
"Although we share the border, our cultures are different," Carrascalao said.
In the wake of the Carnation Revolution, Portugal began a decolonization process, giving colonies the right to choose their own destiny.
East Timor, after nearly 450 years under Portuguese influence, decided to declare its independence.
Indonesia didn't want to see that happen, one of the reasons of which, some argued, was the abundant natural resources the small piece of land possesses.
Indonesia invaded the territory in 1975 ― that's when Carrascalao fled the country. By July 1976, Indonesia annexed East Timor as part of its 27th province.
Resistance against the Indonesian military presence within the country began and overseas independence movement spread.
The ambassador initiated an overseas campaign in Australia.
Efforts gained international support, which pressured Indonesia to hold a referendum on the future of East Timor in 1999.
The result was in favor of independence with a majority of 78 percent of the votes.
The Indonesian military-supported East Timorese pro-integration militia and the Indonesian military carried out violence, killing 1,400 and hundreds of thousands fled the country, and destroyed the country's infrastructure.
In October 1999, the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) established the administration of East Timor, and elections were held for a Constituent Assembly to draft a Constitution, of which the ambassador was part.
The ambassador called for continuous support from Korea. Being a continuous consumer of its natural gas would be one thing, he hoped.
Currently, Korea Gas Corporation imports natural gas from the country. "We want to learn how to use all these resources for the benefit of the people," he said.
Rest In Peace Mr. Joao Viegas Carrascalao ( The embassador of Timor Leste to South Korea) You will always be remember and we miss you already...ㅠㅠ
view more pictures were celebrated last christmas with Mr.Joao Viegas Carrascalao
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