Japanese MPs meet with Abilio

DILI, East Timor: A group of Japanese members of parliament, met with governor Abilio Jose Osorio Soares and placed a wreath at the Santa Cruz cemetery on Thursday.

The MPs asked Abilio how many people were killed and missing in the bloody incident which took place Nov. 12, 1991, in which troops opened fire on demonstrators at the Santa Cruz cemetery.

The guests also asked the governor for details on the July 13- 14 student demonstrations at East Timor University, which were violently dispersed by the security forces.

Abilio promised them that he would consider their request to visit the Baucau and Covalima regencies.

He explained to the Japanese that the education program developed by the government since East Timor joined Indonesia 18 years ago had enabled 95 percent of children and youths to attend schools, as compared to seven percent during the Portuguese rule. (yac)