Bishop Belo's homecoming marred by violence

DILI, East Timor (JP): Violence marred the return of Bishop Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo from Europe Tuesday after his crowning as this year's Nobel Peace Prize winner in Oslo.

An off-duty soldier was killed and 12 others injured during skirmishes as thousands of people thronged the streets between Komoro airport and the Vilaverde Cathedral, all for a glimpse of the leader of the East Timor Roman Catholic Church.

Estimates of the crowd ranged from 30,000 to 100,000.

The military identified the dead soldier as First Corporal Alfredo Siga, who was on Christmas leave.

He was beaten by a mob inside the Cathedral compound, East Timor Military Chief Col. Mahidin Simbolon said.

Simbolon said the bishop has expressed regret at the incidence and sent his condolences to the relatives. He blamed poor coordination of the welcoming committee for the violence.

Simbolon said as a Christian, he could not understand why the violence took place on such an occasion. "Not even the devil would do such a thing," he was quoted as saying.

The Dili bishop returned in time to lead the Christmas celebrations for the Roman Catholic community in East Timor.

The East Timor capital was calm yesterday after the euphoria and violence that accompanied his return Tuesday.

Belo led an evening Christmas mass at the cathedral on Tuesday, only a few hours after his arrival. Among the 7,000 people taking part was American Senator Patrick J. Kennedy (Democrat - Rhode Island), who sat in the front row.

Belo's sermon stressed peace for mankind on earth.

"Let there be peace every day in the lives of every individual and between individuals," he said.

The same message of peace and unity was conveyed during the brief prayers he led in front of about 75,000 people who packed the Cathedral's hall to greet his arrival.

"The differences of opinions and perceptions that exist now should be unified in the name of Christ the Savior," he said.

The people of East Timor need the help of every one to live in peace and tranquility, he said. "The people and the Catholic community of East Timor are only asking for peace and truth."

Bishop Belo shared this year's Nobel Peace Prize with self- exiled East Timor separatist spokesman Jose Ramos Horta. The government has hailed the prize for Belo, who became the first Indonesian to receive the prestigious award. But the decision to award the prize to Horta was regarded by Jakarta as unhelpful toward finding a peaceful settlement in East Timor.

After Norway, Belo visited Germany and the Vatican, where he had a brief audience with Pope John Paul II, before coming home.

He has yet to take up an invitation for a meeting suggested by Coordinating Minister for Political Affairs and Security Soesilo Soedarman, which was extended while he was in Europe.

All the top leaders of the East Timor provincial administration and the military were present at Komoro airport to welcome his return. They included Governor Abilio Jose Osorio Soares, East Timor Police Chief Col. Yusuf Mucharam and Col. Simbolon.

Dozens of pastors and nuns from the various orders in East Timor were present at the airport's VIP lounge, all trying to kiss the hands of the bishop.

"Merry Christmas ... Merry Christmas," Belo said to the government officials and the well-wishers.

The security presence was kept to the minimum with most of the security arrangements taken over by about 600 members of the Mudika (Catholic Youth) of the Dili Diocese.

Because of the throngs of well-wishers, the seven kilometer drive from the airport to the Cathedral became a slow procession that took two hours to complete.

Posters reading "Viva Bishop Belo" and "Viva the Nobel Peace laureate" lined the roads passed by the bishop. (33/emb)