Belo reflects on 1997, calls for harmony

DILI, East Timor (JP): Reflecting with some pessimism on the events of the past 12-months, East Timor Bishop Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo called on all parties in the province to come together in harmony and pursue change.

Belo said here yesterday that a unified commitment of solidarity toward mutual respect should be emphasized by all -- the church, the military and youth.

Belo was speaking in the provincial capital following reports that four youth had been found murdered by separatist Fretilin guerrillas.

The respected bishop, who last year was cowinner of the Nobel Peace Prize, admonished the incident and called for better self- control.

Belo lamented what he described as rampant reports of human rights abuses. He said people often reported incidents to him or filed a report with the Peace and Justice Committee at the Dili diocese.

He said problems within the province should be worked out peacefully, and the people's voice "must be heard".

The former Portuguese colony of East Timor was integrated as Indonesia's 27th province in 1976.

The United Nations still recognizes Lisbon as the administrative power.

A small band of guerrillas still operate in the province, mostly resorting to what the Army calls terrorism tactics against villagers.

When asked to evaluate events relating to East Timor in 1997, Belo said no progress had been made toward seeking a solution to the East Timor issue.

"I don't see any development whatsoever.

"There was the tripartite talks, the All Inclusive Intra East Timor Dialog, but it all failed to result in anything," he said.

The United Nations has been sponsoring a tripartite dialog involving the Indonesian and Portuguese foreign ministers to find an internationally acceptable solution to the issue.

The All Inclusive Intra East Timor Dialog brings together Timorese from both sides of the integration debate. But their meetings must not discuss political issues concerning East Timor which remain the prerogative of Jakarta and Lisbon.

"The situation here in East Timor is about the same. Violence could happen at any moment.

"For me, 1997 has not brought any positive improvements which have contributed to the resolution of the East Timor issue," Belo said. (33/mds)