Separate province for Flores urged

Separate province for Flores urged

MAUMERE, Flores: Some 200 non-governmental organization
activists from the East Nusa Tenggara islands of Flores and
Lembata demanded on Friday the creation of a separate province.

In a gathering which was also attended by all six regents from
the two islands, religious leaders and the deputy governor for
the northern territory, representatives of the six regencies
signed a petition which will be submitted to the governor.

"The establishment of a Flores province is a must. We came to
this unanimous decision after thoroughly analyzing the natural
resources of the island and its vicinity since last October," the
chairman of the event's organizing committee, E.P. da Gomes,
said.

In response to the demand, Deputy Governor Emanuel Lamabelawa
welcomed the people's aspirations and promised to channel it to
the governor.

Flores, the island next to Timor, is part of East Nusa
Tenggara. The island is home to 1.6 million people. (yac)