Soares surmises that Portugal has accepted integration<\/p>\n
DILI, East Timor (JP): Portugal's decision to allow 50 pro-
\nIndonesian pilgrims from East Timor to visit the Roman Catholic
\nshrine of Fatima is an indication that they have recognized the
\nprovince's integration into Indonesia, says governor Abilio Jose
\nOsorio Soares.<\/p>\n
Abilio told The Jakarta Post last night that the Portuguese
\ngovernment's permission for the East Timorese to visit the
\ncountry's main Roman Catholic shrine next month simply showed
\nthat it had indirectly acknowledged the integration which took
\nplace in 1976.<\/p>\n
He believes that such a move would create a new phase in the
\ntalks between the two country on East Timorese issues.<\/p>\n
\"The East Timorese people do not want to see a prolonged
\nintegration process which could leave a wedge between the two
\ncountries,\" he said, He added that people of both countries want
\nto see the end of the situation which has lasted for 18 years.<\/p>\n
Although Portugal's Foreign Minister Joao Dorao Barroso has
\nsaid that the reasons for the visit are religious, Abilio
\nbelieves that it could be regarded as an indication that the
\ncountry had indirectly recognized integration.<\/p>\n
Abilio said that he was grateful for Portugal's decision to
\nallow the East Timorese visit the country.<\/p>\n
Most East Timorese are Roman Catholic, which makes the
\nprovince a great contrast to the majority of Indonesians who are
\nMoslems.<\/p>\n
Portuguese newspapers said that the East Timorese had been
\ngranted visas to visit the shrine. (yac\/par)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/soares-surmises-that-portugal-has-accepted-integration-1447899208",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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