Belo describes Clinton meeting

Belo describes Clinton meeting

DILI: Dili Bishop Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo said Sunday that
he had met U.S. President Bill Clinton at the White House last
week in his capacity as a 1996 Nobel Peace Prize winner not as a
politician.

"The meeting with President Clinton was part of my series of
visits to Europe and America in my capacity as a winner of the
1996 Nobel Peace Prize," Belo said.

He said he had toured Europe and America for almost two months
from early May until the end of June.

Belo told Antara that President Clinton had expressed his
respect and support for the efforts he had made with those who
loved peace and justice in East Timor and other parts of
Indonesia.

"We met with mutual understanding particularly on issues
related to East Timor's reconciliation and held constructive
talks based on familial spirit," he said.

He said that after meeting Clinton he had talked to U.S.
National Security Advisor Samuel Berger, the assistant to the
U.S. Secretary of State and several US senators.

"With the US senators, we discussed the problem of mines
injuring humans. We always talked within the framework of world
peace and justice," he added.

Officials in Jakarta have questioned Belo's motives for
meeting the American politicians.

Coordinating Minister for Political Affairs and Security
Soesilo Soedarman said Saturday that he was considering summoning
Belo to his office. (pan)