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)