Timorese freedom fighters return home from exile
Timorese freedom fighters return home from exile
JAKARTA (JP): Three East Timorese freedom fighters exiled from their homeland for over three decades by the Portuguese government arrived here yesterday on their way to East Timor.
"We are happy to be back," Domingos Soares, 56, said through a translator.
Domingos arrived at the Soekarno-Hatta airport last night with two compatriots Armindo Amaral, 56, and Evaristo da Costa, 60. Accompanying them were their children Flavio Navanga Amaral, 8, Romeu da Concciao Costa, 16, Eva Amido Costa, 13, Evaristo Gomes Costa, 26 and Antonio Soares, 26.
They declined to comment further, saying they were tired after a long flight from Amsterdam.
The three freedom fighters were part of a rebellion against the Portuguese colonial government in Viqueque, Uatolari and Uatokarbau on June 4, 1959. They were demanding that East Timor be integrated into Indonesia. Portuguese colonial forces crushed the rebellion, killing 500 people within one week. Another 68 were arrested and exiled abroad in Portugal, Angola and Mozambique.
Following the revolution in Portugal in 1974, Lisbon freed the exiles still being detained. However their requests to return home were impeded by the Portuguese government.
In 1978, a number of the Timorese in exile sent a letter to the East Timorese legislative council asking to return home. Two years earlier East Timor had been accepted as Indonesia's 27th province.
Their prayers were answered when a senior East Timorese statesman, Lopes da Cruz, brought their request to the attention of President Soeharto in October 1994.
Their return here was arranged by the International Committee of the Red Cross.
The foreign ministry's director for International Organizations, N. Hassan Wirayuda, who met them at the airport yesterday said more veterans of the 1959 rebellion are likely to return to Indonesia.
There are 12 veterans still living abroad. Seven are in Portugal, three in Mozambique and two in Australia. Many others have returned to East Timor, or died in exile.
Another veteran, Vanancio da Costa Soares, 63, was also scheduled to return home yesterday, but had to postpone his departure due to health reasons.
Hassan said the government is presently thinking of awarding the three who returned yesterday with a commendation given the fact that some of their companions who returned before them have received such an honor.
Hassan also said the government would also assist them as they returned and adjusted to life in East Timor.
Armindo Amaral has expressed his wish to live in Viqueque or Alas and own a piece of land and a simple house. He would like to live and work together with Evaristo da Costa.
Similarly Domingos Soares would like to farm and own a piece of land. His wife and three daughters are scheduled to return to East Timor after school exams.
"We will of course try to help them until they are settled in," said Hassan of the likelihood of government assistance.
Before continuing to East Timor, the three will meet with Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas and possibly President Soeharto.
Also yesterday evening, separatist leader Abilio Araujo was scheduled to meet with President Soeharto at his residence in Central Jakarta.
The resistance leader, who is known to be taking a less confrontational approach, has been in town for the past week and has met with Indonesian officials, including Lopes da Cruz. (mds)