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.