Bishop Belo's comments still creating waves
Bishop Belo's comments still creating waves
JAKARTA (JP): A legislator from the ruling Golkar party called
for the public yesterday to be prudent in responding to Bishop
Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo's recent critical remarks about the
Armed Forces.
Samsul Muarif warned that the controversy over Belo's remarks
as quoted by German newspaper Der Spiegel could unproportionally
blow up into an issue related to religion and ethnicity.
"If that happens, it threatens the nation with
disintegration," said Muarif when commenting on a joint
statement, from 20 youth organizations affiliated to Golkar,
denouncing Belo.
Leaders of the organizations demanded the government seek
clarification from Belo about his comments. They also called on
the East Timorese to stay calm.
Belo, a Nobel Peace Price laureate, was quoted by Der Spiegel
as saying, in an interview published Oct. 14, that Indonesian
troops had robbed the East Timorese of freedom and damaged local
culture.
He reportedly said Indonesian troops treated the people of
East Timor like "scabby dogs" and Indonesians treated them like
slaves.
The bishop also claimed there had been nine attempts to
assassinate him, according to the magazine.
According to Samsul, the House is currently listing problems
and questions to be asked of Belo.
"We are preparing the material. When we have gathered all the
facts we need, we will seek the bishop's explanation," Samsul
said.
Meanwhile, about 20 people demonstrated as Bishop Belo arrived
at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport yesterday to attend an
Indonesian Bishops Conference (KWI) conference.
The state-owned TVRI reported that the banner-waving youths
were East Timorese offended by the Bishop's remarks.
Belo refrained from comment and briskly walked into a waiting
car under tight security.
In his defense, Belo earlier said he did not mean to offend
anyone in the interview and that he sought to see the published
interview to determine whether his statement had been
misinterpreted.
"At this time, when all are venting their anger -- and people
have the right to do so -- allow me to remain silent," Belo said
in a statement.
"Later, at an appropriate time, I will explain all the truth
or all the mistakes, after I have obtained a recording of the
interview."
Meanwhile, deputy chairman of the House's Commission I which
oversees foreign affairs Hari Sugiman told Antara that Belo could
be requested to provide information if the government's
explanation is not satisfactory.
"We should not jump to hasty conclusions here because there
are many mischief-makers out there," Hari said.
Palar Batubara, deputy coordinating secretary for the people's
welfare, said the threat of disintegration was rife because the
challenge for the nation arises mainly from issues related to
religion, ethnicity, human rights and democracy. (14)