Belo says 'Der Spiegel' manipulated his remarks

DILI, East Timor (JP): Dili Bishop Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo yesterday accused the German magazine Der Spiegel of manipulating his April interview to make it sound anti-Indonesian government.

Speaking to domestic and foreign journalists here yesterday, Nobel laureate Belo denied some of the comments attributed to him by the magazine's Oct.14 edition, including the controversial "scabby dogs" which he allegedly used to describe Indonesia's treatment of East Timorese people.

"I take moral responsibility for the content of the interview, but it was heavily manipulated by the journalist," he said. "What I said then -- seven months ago -- does not necessarily reflect my present views," Belo said.

He said he had no intention of discrediting the Indonesian government or Armed Forces. But he added that "the motives of Der Spiegel are questionable and to be highly regretted."

"The expression 'scabby dogs' is totally unknown to me. Der Spiegel must assume full responsibility for using it. The reason is that I myself did not know the word 'scabby' in English. I came to know of that word only after it was quoted and published in the mass media." he said.

He explained that he did not attack the Armed Forces in general. "By the word 'soldier' in the interview, I meant the individual (within the Armed Forces) who does not put into practice Sapta Marga (the Armed Forces' oath) and (state ideology) Pancasila."

He also denied telling magazine journalist Juergen Kremb that the East Timorese people want to be independent.

"I did not make this statement because to the best of my knowledge there are people who are in favor of integration, and there are also people who still struggle for self determination," he said.

"I fully understand that some expressions and generalizations wrongly attributed to me might have wounded the hearts of some. For this, I wish to apologize to those who are offended," he said.

Belo also asked for those offended to "understand my feelings as a religious leader and spiritual father of the East Timorese, since I am hurt deeply every time my fellow-men are treated without respect for their dignity."

He said the world should look at the conditions in which the East Timorese live. "Defending dignity should be our common goal," he said.

Some 300 youths staged a demonstration outside the press conference. They brandished banners saying "Viva Belo" and "Viva Timor Leste (East Timor)."

The demonstrators dispersed peacefully after secretary of the East Timor diocese, Domingos Sequeira, intervened.

Juergen Kremb has insisted he stands by the comments attributed to Belo, which sparked mass rallies for and against the bishop in Jakarta and Dili.

Immediately after Belo's statement yesterday, comments poured in from all sides. Armed Forces Commander Gen. Feisal Tanjung said in Bandung, West Java, the Armed Forces will study Belo's statement before issuing their stance.

A harsher reaction came yesterday from Amien Rais, chairman of the 28-million strong Muhammadiyah Moslem organization. Amien said the government should reprimand Belo for his anti-Indonesian government remarks.

Amien said he was still of the opinion that Belo should give further explanation to the House of Representatives. He also criticized Belo for his inaccurate description of conditions in East Timor, including that in relation to religious co-existence.

Chief of the Udayana military command Maj. Gen. A. Rivai who oversees Bali, East Nusa Tenggara and East Timor said he was impressed by Belo's statement.

"Incredible. Never thought it would be this good," he was quoted by Antara as saying about the statement.

Meanwhile, some local East Timorese said Belo's statement reflected his position on the province's integration into Indonesia. "We can see the bishop is not against integration. What he has been fighting for is humanity," a resident was quoted by Antara as saying. (33/21/swe)