E. Timor delays inauguration of Jesus Christ statue

E. Timor delays inauguration of Jesus Christ statue

JAKARTA (JP): East Timor has delayed the inauguration of a
large statue of Jesus Christ in Dili, capital of the province,
until President Soeharto could find time to visit, probably next
year.

East Timor Governor Abilio Jose Osorio Soares told reporters
after meeting Soeharto at Bina Graha presidential office
yesterday that he had hoped the President could inaugurate the
17-meter statue, which is nearing completion, this year.

Abilio was in Jakarta to formally extend an invitation to the
President to inaugurate the statue, as well as a number of other
major projects in East Timor that are nearing completion.

"He accepted our invitation but said that he would study it
first, what with his tight schedule for the remainder of this
year, including five overseas visits. Next year, probably," he
said.

"He (the President) acknowledged that it has been a long time
since he visited East Timor," he said.

"And our invitation for him to come is not solely with the
intention of inaugurating the projects, but also to lend moral
support to the people of East Timor that the integration process,
which has been occurring the last 19 years, could be kept up,"
Abilio said.

East Timor formally joined Indonesia on July 19, 1976, when
some of its tribal leaders issued a declaration of their
intention to integrate with the republic.

Some political parties at the time, however, refused to take
part and have been launching a campaign for a separate state,
from within East Timor, or from their places of exile abroad.

The former Portuguese colony is a predominantly Roman Catholic
territory.

Abilio said President Soeharto has assigned Vice President Try
Sutrisno to inaugurate the projects, including a 322 km road that
links Batugede on the border, with West Timor and Los Palos at
the eastern end of the island, a 2.29 km bridge and some
irrigation facilities.

"But regarding the statue, we still hope the President will
inaugurate it. Because this (the statue) is also intended to
rebut the accusations made abroad that integration is equivalent
with Islamization of East Timor.

"It would send a stronger meaning if the statue were
inaugurated by the President," he added.

The statue is erected on a 27-meter tower built on Fatucama
Bay. It depicts Christ stretching out his arms in a gesture of
symbolizing his invitation for people to follow him.

The statue cost about Rp 40 billion ($1.8 million) to built,
with Rp 1 billion contributed by Garuda Indonesia, the flag
carrier, and the rest raised locally in East Timor, Abilio said.

Abilio also reported to the President on East Timor's program
in looking after the welfare of the veterans from the integration
war, or the widows or children of those who died during the civil
war.

One foundation, called the Legion of Veterans of the East
Timor Integration Fighters, was established with the help of the
Legion of Veterans in Jakarta.

There are, currently, approximately 600 people who have been
issued with veteran cards, the governor, who is known for his
staunch support for East Timor's integration with Indonesia,
said.

Two foundations, with missions to look after the interests of
veterans and their widows, have also been established, called
Yayasan Tunas Timor and Yayasan Harapan Timor.

More recently, the East Timor administration established two
organizations, chiefly to nurture the East Timor youth.

Abilio said he has asked President Soeharto to help finance
the new organizations. (emb)