Portugal gives visas to pro-Indonesian Timorese pilgrims

LISBON (Reuter): Portugal said yesterday it would allow a group of pro-Indonesian pilgrims from its former colony of East Timor into the country to visit the Roman Catholic shrine of Fatima to help promote talks with Indonesia.

"The decision to grant visas to this group of Timorese was taken, bearing in mind the religious aims of the visit," the foreign ministry said in a statement.

Portugal broke off relations with Jakarta after East Timor decided to integrate with Indonesia in 1976, but the two countries have held a series of exploratory talks since 1992 aimed at resolving their dispute.

The statement said next month's visit by the pilgrim group -- which includes members linked to the Indonesian administration -- would "contribute to the improvement of dialogue".

"This cannot be interpreted as constituting a change in the Portuguese position over the nationality of East Timor nationals," the statement said.

The group of Timorese carrying Indonesian passports had requested visas to visit the shrine of Fatima, 100 km (60 miles) north of Lisbon.

Most of East Timor's 750,000 people are Roman Catholic, in contrast to the majority of Indonesians who are Moslem.

Portuguese newspapers said about 50 pro-Indonesian Timorese had been granted visas to visit Fatima, Portugal's main Roman Catholic shrine. Foreign ministry officials were not immediately available for comment.