Thousands march in East Timor

DILI, East Timor: Thousands of East Timorese supporting integration marched to the governor's office here yesterday to express their opposition to any referendum in the province and to call for more autonomy.

Calling themselves the Front for Pro-Autonomy and Integration Defenders, they presented a statement to the governor welcoming reforms in the province which they believed was the first step to improve welfare and prosperity.

They opposed any kind of referendum in the province, arguing it could trigger civil war.

In their statement, they opposed and condemned any group which forced its interests in the name of the people by manipulating the truth for personal benefit.

A delegation from the demonstrators was received by East Timor Governor Abilio Jose Osorio Soares in his office.

"We realize the national, regional and even the international political dimension of the East Timor issue," they said, stressing that their views upheld the belief of national unity and democratic values.

The governor pledged to relay their demands to the central government in Jakarta.

The pro-integrationists earlier peacefully marched through the city before proceeding to the governor's office.

A small incident occurred in Culuhun, in the eastern part of Dili, when some bystanders started throwing stones at the marchers.

No serious injuries were reported, though an elderly woman sustained a head wound, Antara reported.