Xanana takes vacation in Bali

Xanana takes vacation in Bali

DILI, East Timor: East Timor's President Xanana Gusmao and his family on Thursday began a vacation in Bali despite last weekend's bombings there, the presidential office said.

"Besides vacationing, Xanana will also accompany his wife to attend a festival of writers and readers in Ubud, Bali," said spokesman Lusitania Lopez.

Xanana will be in Bali until Oct. 13 and then he and his family will visit the East Java city of Surabaya, Lopez said, without giving details of the President's agenda in Surabaya.

Two southern Bali tourist areas -- Jimbaran and Kuta -- were Saturday hit by blasts which killed 19 people and three suicide bombers.

Xanana, who traveled with his wife Australian-born Kirsty Sword Gusmao and their three sons, has said that in times like now, Bali needs all the support it can get. --AFP