Gusmao pays visit to Indonesian prison

Gusmao pays visit to Indonesian prison

JAKARTA: East Timor's charismatic president Xanana Gusmao made on Saturday an emotional visit to the Indonesian prison where he was held for four years as a rebel before his country was granted independence.

Gusmao toured Jakarta's notorious Cipinang penitentiary, meeting inmates of the cell where he was incarcerated in 1992 for leading the Timorese rebel resistance against the then Indonesian Armed Forces (ABRI).

"This is not just a nostalgic visit for me. I know exactly how the inmates feel and suffer. I'm here today also to give support to my friends who are still here," he said with tears in his eyes.

While behind bars, Gusmao gained a reputation as the Nelson Mandela of East Timor, inspiring a separatist spirit that in 1999 led to a violent split from Indonesia. He reluctantly became the country's first president in 2002.

Prison warden Dedi Sutardi described Gusmao's impromptu visit as amicable.

"It was a friendly visit, we had a great talk about old times. We smoked and had coffee together," he told Elshinta radio. -- AFP