E. Timor honors HK businessman

E. Timor honors HK businessman

EAST TIMOR: A Hong Kong businessman and philanthropist who helped
East Timor during its violent break from Indonesia in 1999 was
named the new nation's first ambassador-at-large, officials said
on Tuesday.

Eric Hotung chartered a hospital ship crammed with about 300
tons (330 U.S. tons) of badly needed relief supplies for East
Timor in September 1999, in response to a humanitarian
catastrophe in the half-island territory.

"The government of East Timor chose Eric Hotung because he has
done a lot for the country," said Renata de Jesus, an official
from the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

East Timor President Xanana Gusmao met Hotung on Tuesday to
discuss his new duties, she said. --AP