NATIONAL CATHOLIC REPORTER

October 25, 1996

page 8

E.TIMOR BISHOP, EXILED ACTIVIST WIN NOBEL

By CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

Bishop Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo of Dili, East Timor, and exiled East Timorese activist Jose Ramos Horta were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for their work to end oppression in East Timor.

Belo, 48, and Horta, 46, will receive the $1.2 million award at a Dec. 10 ceremony in Oslo.

The Nobel cornmittee, which announced the winners Oct. 11 in Oslo, Norway, accused Indonesia of persecuting the people of East Timor. The committee said the prize was given to

Indonesia invaded East Timor in 1975 and annexed it as the country's 27th province in 1976. Many in East Timor do not accept the legitimacy of Indonesia's claim. The territory has endured 20 years of guerrilla warfare and human rights violations.

Belo, apostolic administrator of the Dili, East Timor, diocese since 1985, was celebrating Mass in Dili at the time of the Nobel annvuncement. Belo is the first Catholic bishop to win the Nobel Peace Prize.

he said in a statement issued Oct. l l in Rome by his order, the Salesians.

Bishop Daniel P. Reilly of Worcester, Mass., chairman of the U.S. bishops' Committee on International Policy, called the shared pr ize "a cause for true rejoicing."

In congratulating Belo on behalf of the committee, Reilly extended

A spokesman for the Indonesian government expressed "regret" that the peace prize was given to Belo and Horta accusing the latter of "inciting and manipulating the people of East Timor."

Horta has worked for East Timorese independence since its years as a Portuguese colony. He fled East Timor three days before the Indonesian invasion, in which two of his brothers and a sister died, according to The New York Times.

Horta, who now lives in Australia and is a member of the law faculty of the University of New South Wales, said in a statement that he is "honored and humbled" by the award.

he told Reuters. He said he hoped the award would show Indonesia

Muslim politician Jailani Naro, former vice speaker ot tne Indonesian House of Representatives, told the press in Jakarta Oct. 12 that Belo should reject the award to avoid being labeled an "opportunist" like Horta.

Naro said. Others have made similar suggestions.

But the bishop has said he is not bothered by negative views abuut Horta, adding that Horta was selected by the Nobel committee.

Belo said at his residence Oct. 14.

Belo said.

"Bishop Belo, CNS .... Jose Ramos Horta" - [pictures & captions]

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