East Timor names Hong Kong businessman as ambassador-at-large

East Timor names Hong Kong businessman as ambassador-at-large

Associated Press
Dili

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.

Three years ago, proJakarta militia groups devastated the
half-island territory in response to an overwhelming vote for
independence in a UN referendum. They also forced about half of
East Timor's 800,000 people to flee their homes.

Hotung - a fourth generation Hong Kong business magnate whose
grandfather was the first Chinese knighted by Britain - has been
close to East Timor's authorities ever since those events.

The country gained its independence last May, after a period
or transitional UN rule.