Outspoken Belo sees progress in E. Timor<\/p>\n
DILI, East Timor (JP): Outspoken church leader Bishop Carlos
\nFilipe Ximenes Belo said yesterday he saw great strides in the
\nprogress of Indonesia's youngest province since its integration
\ninto Indonesia, but criticized the way family planning programs
\nhave been introduced here.<\/p>\n
Belo, an outspoken critic of the government's policy in this
\nformer Portuguese colony, told a gathering of senior military and
\npolice officers that the government has successfully pulled the
\nlocal people out of poverty, backwardness and ignorance.\"<\/p>\n
This is his first speech before a gathering of officers since
\nthe integration 18 years ago. The gathering, held at East Timor
\nmilitary headquarters, was hosted by its commander, Maj. L.
\nSimbolon.<\/p>\n
Belo said today there are more and more better educated East
\nTimorese and the people on the whole are enjoying better economic
\nconditions.<\/p>\n
\"The people in this province, who used to suffer many
\ndifferent types of diseases in the past, are now in good health,\"
\nhe said in his four-page speech entitled To Improve the Welfare
\nand Justice of Mankind from The Roman Catholic Point of View.\"<\/p>\n
\"However,\" he said, \"there are still many things in the
\nethnic, religious and cultural domains which need improvement.\"<\/p>\n
Belo criticized the way the government-sponsored family
\nplanning program has been introduced into the province.<\/p>\n
He said for East Timorese, 90 percent of whom are Roman
\nCatholics, a \"family planning program with the natural method\" is
\nmore acceptable. He did not elaborate.<\/p>\n
The bishop also said the government \"should guarantee the
\npeople's freedom of expression, association and access to
\ninformation on various events in the province.\"<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Governor Abilio Osorio Soares in his speech at the
\nmeeting said the province is certainly an integral part of
\nIndonesia.<\/p>\n
\"It is as sure as the sun rises in the east and sets in the
\nwest,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Abilio added that East Timor would be better if all people
\nhere unite. (yac\/tis)<\/p>",
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