U.S. congressmen to visit E. Timor

DILI, East Timor: An 18-member delegation of the American Congress will make a two-day visit starting today to collect information on development in the province, a local official said yesterday.

Spokesman for the provincial government Alvaro dos Santos said the delegation will be led by congressman Bill Ascher.

"We hope that they will see in a positive way the results of the development implemented during the past 19 years of integration with Indonesia," Santos told Antara.

The guests will meet local top officials, including governor Abilio Jose Osorio Soares, chief of the provincial legislative council Antonio F. Parada and local military chief Col. M. Simbolon. (pan)