Tibetan leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Prime Minister (Kalon Tripa) of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche have both expressed hope for Dr. Jose Ramos-Horta’s speedy recovery.
Mr Ramos, President of Democratic Republic of Timor and a fellow Nobel Peace Laureate, was shot and wounded in an assassination bid outside his Dili home on 11 February.
In a fax dated 11 February 2008, the Dalai Lama wrote: “I am sorry to learn that you have been injured in an attack earlier this morning. I hope that you recover fully and swiftly so that you may resume your duties as soon as possible.”
Kalon Tripa Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche, also expressed deep shock on hearing of the assassination attempt on a man who “gave everything in life to regain the independence of East Timor and led its people to live in peace, dignity and with honour.”
Prof Samdhong Rinpoche added that they would pray for Dr Ramos-Horta’s speedy recovery and that he be given “enough strength and courage to continue to lead [the East Timorese] people to the path of non-violence and peaceful coexistence for many years to come.”
President Ramos-Horta is reportedly in a stable condition in an Australian hospital after surgery to remove bullet fragments.
President Ramos-Horta, 58, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1996 for his struggle for East Timor’s independence from Indonesia.
