Timorese resent flag burning

DILI, East Timor: Local figures expressed their anger yesterday at recent flag burning incidents involving supporters of independence for East Timor in Australia.

"As an Indonesian citizen, I cannot accept it," said Antonio Freitas Parada, chief of the provincial legislative council. "Anyone can demonstrate their disagreement to something, but not by burning a country's flag."

He said that people cannot burn a national flag in the name of democracy because it will hurt the pride of the nation.

A similar view was aired by Mariano Lopez da Cruz, an ardent supporter of East Timor's integration into Indonesia.

He criticized the Australian government for not stopping anti- Indonesia demonstrators from burning the red-and-white flag, Antara reported. (pan)