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)