Belo in breaking of the fast dinner

DILI: Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo, the Roman Catholic bishop of East Timor, attended a breaking of the fast dinner with local government and military leaders here Sunday night.

The dinner, the first such gathering Belo had ever attended, was hosted by the Protestant chief of the East Timor military district, Col. Mahidin Simbolon.

Also present were Islamic Ulemas Council East Timor branch chief Abdullah Sagran, East Timor Governor Abilio Jose Osorio Soares, Udayana regional military commander Maj. Gen. A. Rivai, local police chief Jusuf Mucharam and speaker of the provincial legislative council Antonio Freitas Parada.

Rivai, who oversees security in East Timor, Nusa Tenggara and Bali, said the rare gathering reflected "Indonesia's unity in diversity" because it was attended by both Christians and Moslems.

Abilio said it also showed the improving relations between Moslems and Christians in the youngest province.

Belo, winner of last year's Nobel Peace Prize, arrived at 5 p.m. and was followed by other officials.

After Rivai, Jusuf, Sagran and the other Moslems had said their evening prayers the host and his guests had dinner together.

Rivai, who returned to Denpasar Sunday night, wished Belo a happy birthday. The Bishop turned 49 yesterday. (33/pan)