in august 12, 1988, and after several years of diplomatic struggle, finally a timorese delegation had the opportunity to defend the right to the self-determination of the timorese people within the united nations. moisés da costa amaral made the statement representing the nationalist convergence, a delegation composed also by monsignor martinho lopes, apostolic administrator of dili, roque rodrigues representing fretilin and joão carrascalão representing udt. within the united nations this was the first big step that led to the so desired independence of the democratic republic of timor-leste.