Armed Falintil commemorates 24th anniversary

Armed Falintil commemorates 24th anniversary

By Ridwan Max Sijabat and Lorenco Vicente Martins

WAIMURI, Viqueque (JP): Over 20,000 people celebrated the 24th
anniversary of East Timor's main armed separatist group,
Falintil, in a ceremony here on Friday.

The celebration took place at Falintil's headquarters in the
middle of a thick forest in the regency, six hours drive from the
provincial capital of Dili, and was presided over by the armed
group's deputy commander Taur Matanruak.

A speech delivered by Falintil's jailed commander Jose
Alexandre "Xanana" Gusmao, through a satellite telephone, capped
the ceremony. Xanana is serving a 20-year jail term in Jakarta.

Similar flag raising ceremonies were also held in Lospalos,
Ermera and Bobonaro regencies. Leandro Isaac, CNRT's coordinator
on political affairs, told The Jakarta Post a huge turnout for
Falintil anniversary celebrations was also reported in the three
regions.

More than 600 soldiers dressed in military uniforms marched
across the podium where Matanruak stood after raising the blue,
white and green flag of the National Council for East Timor
Resistance (CNRT).

A marching band, which included a trumpet section, performed
the Falintil anthem and patriotic songs.

Many of the independence supporters arrived here several days
before the celebration after walking through the jungle. They
performed on Thursday night traditional music, songs and dances.

Governor Jose Abilio Soares, United Nations Mission in East
Timor (UNAMET) chief Ian Martin and Djoko Sugianto, chief of the
Council on Peace and Stability (KPS), were invited to the
celebration, but did not attend. No reasons were given for their
nonattendance.

Xanana, who delivered his speech in Portuguese, called on East
Timorese independence fighters and supporters to continue their
struggle to win the Aug. 30 popular consultation.

"In observance of this historical event, East Timorese people
should bear in mind that Falintil has fought for 24 years for the
territory's independence.

"I am appealing to all of you to remember in your daily
prayers all those who were killed fighting for the territory's
future," he said.

Substantial applause followed the speech. "Viva Xanana! Viva
Timor Leste!," the audience shouted.

Xanana also stressed the importance of reconciliation between
conflicting factions before and after the ballot to bring unity
to East Timor.

"East Timorese should unite regardless of the results of the
ballot."

Dili Bishop Carlos Felipe Ximenes Belo and Baucau Bishop
Basilio dos Nascimento hailed the celebration, which occurred
only 10 days before East Timorese determine whether to stay with
Indonesia or be independent.

In a joint statement read by secretary-general of the Baucau
diocese Father Mario Belo at a mass preceding the ceremony, the
two bishops called on East Timorese to rely on their conscience
when casting their vote.

"People should choose what they think is best for the sake of
their own future, help create a conducive and peaceful situation
before and after the ballot, and have the guts to say what is
good and what is wrong in line with Catholic teachings," said the
bishops.

The two religious leaders asked the people to learn from the
bloody past and refrain from seeking retaliation.

To many people, the celebration was an opportunity to reunite
with relatives and friends hiding out with Falintil groups in the
mountains.

Antoni da Costa, 42, of Dili, met with his two elder brothers,
who have been with Falintil for 20 years.

"I am very very happy... I want to work hard in order to give
financial and moral support to Falintil. We have been separated
for years, but we are very close in our hearts," he told the
Post.

Fernandez da Silva Filipi, 40, of Baucau, said he was going to
follow his friends and relatives and join Falintil after sharing
experiences during his five-day stay in the location.

Matanruak told a press conference on Thursday that Falintil
would not follow in the footstep of prointegration militiamen who
had surrendered weapons to police, but added that his group was
committed to a truce.

"No bullets will be fired from Falintil's guns before the
ballot," he said.