CAMARA ECLESIASTICA -- CHANCELARIA -- SECRETARIA EPISCOPAL
Jl. Gov. Alves Aldein 25, Dili Timor Timur -- Telp. 21665
PRESS RELEASE
PRELUDE
I want to state publicly that, whenever I am interviewed by both local or foreign journalist , I don’t speak just of today’s East Timor, but of its social situation since 1976 till the present day. Therefore I mean to including the whole experience that the Timorese people have been living throughout these year.
What I speak out during the interviews does not refer necessarily to my personal views, nor my personal experience as one Timorese nor as a Priest, but rather, as the one whom people confide deeply, since 1981, the year I returned from Portugal till now, in pouring out their sorrow and pains. Those Timorese who speak through me, belong to all age groups, to various religions and to different places of origin; including those from Dilli, from elsewhere in East Timor as well as from outside East Timor.
During the interviews I speak not with the intention of criticzing the Indonesia Government or the Armed Forces of Indonesia (ABRI), but with the deep desire that the condition of the civil rights of the East Timorese be improved. It is not my intention to defend the Integration or the Independence, but simply to seeking improvement in the situation of East Timor.
Today I can give explanation to the public by rejecting the statement in Der Spiegel, but will the situation in East Timor improve because of that? The roof of the problem is not concerned with Bishop Belo only; but is concerned the whole people of East Timor ego demand that their dignity to be respected.
Many dailies and magazines, especially those from abroad, are the publishing mow their interviews with me in the past years, because of the Nobel Peace Prize of 1996. Regarding this, I would like to affirm, here and now, that, if those interviews carried out before the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize, contain criticisms of the Indonesian Government the Armed Forces of Indonesia (ABRI), the responsibility belongs to the newspaper and magazines for publishing them. My attitude , today and in the future , will be expressed in this Press Conference.
Having said these, let me go into the substance of the Press Conference.
SUBSTANCE OF THE PRESS CONFERENCE
After inaugurating the Monument of Christ the King in Dilli, whose Kingdom is of "peace, love and justice" and after being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize of 1996, I want to start a new period of peaceful relationship with the People of Indonesia, including the Government and the Indonesian Armed Forces ( ABRI).
After having read the transcription of the interview which was held at Baucau on 17th of April , 1996, I must say that the interview was only taken down by hand.
I deeply regret that the interview which had been conducted originally in English seven months ago, was published only on 14th October 1996 in the Magazine "Der Spiegel " No. 42 . The motive behind all these is questionable and highly regretted.
Concerning the interview with Der Spiegel, I hereby state that:
- I am not against Indonesia as a Nation , as one of the countries that organised the Bandung Conference in 1955; a country rich in races, culture, scenic views and natural resources.
- I did not mean to discredit or criticise the Indonesian Government, since the term "government" is not mentioned at all in the interview.
- I did not mean to discredit the Republic of Indonesia, for that term does not appear at all in the interview.
- I did not mean to discredit or criticise the Indonesian Armed Forces (ABRI) as an institution.
- I am against one’s behaviour which is inconsistent with the "just and civilised humanity" ("Kemanusiaan yang adil dan beradab") as described under the fourth principle of PANCASILA.
- But, I highly respect every Man and Woman as Person with his/her human dignity.
Since some expressions and generalisations are erroneously attributed to me, which perhaps might have shocked some people , I take the liberty of explaining about what appeared in " Der Spiegel" no. 42, October 14th , 1996, and about what Mr. Jurgen Kremb, the author of the article should explain to the Indonesian public.
In spite of serious manipulations by the reporter, I take moral responsibility for the substance of the content of my interview.
I hereby state that my interview has been heavily manipulated and seriously distorted. For example :
- By the word "soldier" in the interview, I mean the "individual who does not put into SAPTA MARGA and PANCASILA.
- The expression "scabby dogs" is totally unknown to me. Der Spiegel must assume full responsibility for using it. The reason is that I my self did not know the word "SCABBY" in English . I came to know of that word only after it has been quoted and published in mass media.
- There was manipulation of numbers . It has been published that "Nine times it has been tried to kill me". I categorically deny this statement. I have been saying "twice" in some of my interview. I was threatened twice by ambush (ameaca de emboscada). Once in June 1989 at Lalcia, and for the second time in October 1991 at Buicari, Viqueque.
- "There were 650,000 persons recorded in my church register". I am acquainted enough with the history of my people not to give such figures about Catholics in East Timor. De facto, the total number of Catholics in 1974 was 220.314 as registered in the diocesan office, and not 650.000 as it was published in Der Spiegel.
- "Every day" it is more correct to say "sometimes".
- "The people here want to be independent". I did not make this statement because to my best knowledge there are people who are in favour of Integration, and there are also people who still struggle for self determination.
- By the word "state", I meant "home land" and not country or administrative division.
I fully understand that some expressions and generalisations were wrongly attribute to me and which might have wounded that hearts of some. For this, I wish to apologise to those who are offended. At the same time I would like to ask them :
- To understand my feelings as religious leader and spiritual father of the East Timorese, since I am hurt deeply every time when any my fellowmen is treated without respect for his and her human dignity.
- To check accurately and personally the way that many of the East Timorese are treated in their day to day life without minimum respect for their human dignity. Let us join hand together to condemn it . Defending the dignity and the fundamental rights of the ordinary people must be our common goal in order to improve the quality of life.
I am fully aware of the norms of the Catholic Church which demands a religious leader to stay away from concrete political practices specific to the field of politicians. But as a Bishop I have the moral duty to speak for the voice of the poor and the simple people who, when intimidated or terrorised, cannot defend themselves or make their suffering voiced .
I also acknowledge the efforts of the Indonesian Government towards the development of East Timor. Please do understand that no development can be fully appreciated when it is carried out without the responsible participation of the local people in its conception, in its execution and the expense of their identity , freedom and dignity.
Mistakes have been made by all sides which resulted in creating a barrier of cultural and psychological incomprehension. Free, sincere and respectful dialogue should be needed to overcome this barrier . Relationships will be based on hypocrisy or on opposition from within without such a dialogue.
As a religious leader, I am ready to collaborate with everybody who is really committed to efforts for peace in East Timor ; Peace based on truth, justice and love.
On being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for 1996, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to all the people who continue to extend their prayerful, material, and moral support to finding a just, peaceful and dignified solution to the problem of East Timor.Let us contribute our might in sincerity, truth and love (Charitas Veritatis, Veritas Charitatis) to the cause of establishing a just and peaceful society in East Timor, where the birth rights of each human person to live peacefully and fearlessly , in freedom and with human dignity, is esteemed and respected.
Dili, 25th November 1996
Msgr. Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo, SDB
Titular Bishop of Lorium and Apostolic Administrator of Dili - East Timor
