Belo reflects on 1997, calls for harmony

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)