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EAST TIMOR CELEBRATES FIRST ANNIVERSARY
The celebrations began in the morning with a mass celebrated by Bishop Belo at the Dili Cathedral. Thousands of people had gathered in and around the Cathedral to listen to the sermon, in which Belo urged the East Timorese to forgive those who resorted to violence and work towards reconciliation.
SRSG Sergio Vieira de Mello, CNRT Vice President José Ramos-Horta, Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer, Father Victor Melicias, representing the President of Portugal, along with other dignitaries, proceeded to Santa Cruz Cemetery, where they placed pink and white flower petals around a simple black steel cross.
“We are at the resting place of those who gave their lives so that East Timor can be free,” said Ramos-Horta, adding that it was the survivors’ responsibility to build a better East Timor.
The ceremony was followed by the laying of floral wreaths at the sea, in front of the Governor’s Office, where UNTAET has its headquarters.
In an address to the people of East Timor, SRSG Vieira de Mello, read a message of the United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, to the East Timorese people, and paid tribute to the East Timorese for its “courage, generosity, patience and tolerance.”
SRSG also called on the Timorese to respect the ones who last year voted for autonomy, and appealed to the militia to lay down their arms.