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.