Soares surmises that Portugal has accepted integration

DILI, East Timor (JP): Portugal's decision to allow 50 pro- Indonesian pilgrims from East Timor to visit the Roman Catholic shrine of Fatima is an indication that they have recognized the province's integration into Indonesia, says governor Abilio Jose Osorio Soares.

Abilio told The Jakarta Post last night that the Portuguese government's permission for the East Timorese to visit the country's main Roman Catholic shrine next month simply showed that it had indirectly acknowledged the integration which took place in 1976.

He believes that such a move would create a new phase in the talks between the two country on East Timorese issues.

"The East Timorese people do not want to see a prolonged integration process which could leave a wedge between the two countries," he said, He added that people of both countries want to see the end of the situation which has lasted for 18 years.

Although Portugal's Foreign Minister Joao Dorao Barroso has said that the reasons for the visit are religious, Abilio believes that it could be regarded as an indication that the country had indirectly recognized integration.

Abilio said that he was grateful for Portugal's decision to allow the East Timorese visit the country.

Most East Timorese are Roman Catholic, which makes the province a great contrast to the majority of Indonesians who are Moslems.

Portuguese newspapers said that the East Timorese had been granted visas to visit the shrine. (yac/par)