Belo reflects on 1997, calls for harmony<\/p>\n
DILI, East Timor (JP): Reflecting with some pessimism on the
\nevents of the past 12-months, East Timor Bishop Carlos Filipe
\nXimenes Belo called on all parties in the province to come
\ntogether in harmony and pursue change.<\/p>\n
Belo said here yesterday that a unified commitment of
\nsolidarity toward mutual respect should be emphasized by all --
\nthe church, the military and youth.<\/p>\n
Belo was speaking in the provincial capital following reports
\nthat four youth had been found murdered by separatist Fretilin
\nguerrillas.<\/p>\n
The respected bishop, who last year was cowinner of the Nobel
\nPeace Prize, admonished the incident and called for better self-
\ncontrol.<\/p>\n
Belo lamented what he described as rampant reports of human
\nrights abuses. He said people often reported incidents to him or
\nfiled a report with the Peace and Justice Committee at the Dili
\ndiocese.<\/p>\n
He said problems within the province should be worked out
\npeacefully, and the people's voice \"must be heard\".<\/p>\n
The former Portuguese colony of East Timor was integrated as
\nIndonesia's 27th province in 1976.<\/p>\n
The United Nations still recognizes Lisbon as the
\nadministrative power.<\/p>\n
A small band of guerrillas still operate in the province,
\nmostly resorting to what the Army calls terrorism tactics against
\nvillagers.<\/p>\n
When asked to evaluate events relating to East Timor in 1997,
\nBelo said no progress had been made toward seeking a solution to
\nthe East Timor issue.<\/p>\n
\"I don't see any development whatsoever.<\/p>\n
\"There was the tripartite talks, the All Inclusive Intra East
\nTimor Dialog, but it all failed to result in anything,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The United Nations has been sponsoring a tripartite dialog
\ninvolving the Indonesian and Portuguese foreign ministers to find
\nan internationally acceptable solution to the issue.<\/p>\n
The All Inclusive Intra East Timor Dialog brings together
\nTimorese from both sides of the integration debate. But their
\nmeetings must not discuss political issues concerning East Timor
\nwhich remain the prerogative of Jakarta and Lisbon.<\/p>\n
\"The situation here in East Timor is about the same. Violence
\ncould happen at any moment.<\/p>\n
\"For me, 1997 has not brought any positive improvements which
\nhave contributed to the resolution of the East Timor issue,\" Belo
\nsaid. (33\/mds)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/belo-reflects-on-1997-calls-for-harmony-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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