Also: Bishop Belo; Leadership Condolences; Foreign Affairs Statement

NGO activists from Fokupers and Yayasan Hak bring their condolence messages and flowers to the U.S. Mission in Dili. September 13. Photo by Charles Scheiner.

12 Sep 01 15:48 East Timor: Leaders Shocked by Terrorist Attacks in US

Members of a high-level East Timorese delegation in Jakarta for talks with Indonesian authorities said Wednesday they were shocked by the Tuesday terrorist attacks in the United States.

"There are no political or intellectual reasons. There are no religious causes that justify those acts", said Jose Ramos Horta, foreign minister of East Timor's current transition government.

Ramos Horta said he spoke on behalf of all East Timorese to express his solidarity with the American people and the victims of Tuesday's attacks.

Independence leader Xanana Gusmao, who arrived in Jakarta Tuesday on a flight from Dili just as local television stations began broadcasting the first images of destruction in Washington and New York, also expressed his solidarity with the victims.

East Timor's chief UN transition administrator, Brazilian diplomat Sergio Vieira de Mello, said in turn that when living in New York he had been accustomed to his apartment's view of the now- destroyed twin towers of the World Trade Center. He added that he was concerned about the possible "collateral effects" the attacks may have on the process of East Timor's transition to independence.

JBC -Lusa-

From: UNTAET Daily Briefing
Dili, 13 September 2001

TIMORESE LEADERSHIP OFFERS CONDOLENCES AT US MISSION

SRSG Sergio Vieira de Mello, Cabinet Member for Foreign Affairs José Ramos-Horta, independence leader Xanana Gusmão and Chief Minister Designate Mari Alkatiri today returned to East Timor after a two-day official visit to Indonesia. Immediately upon their return, the delegation went to the United States mission in Dili to express their condolences and sympathy in person for the victims of Tuesday's terrorist attacks.

In a letter sent yesterday to US Secretary of State Colin Powell, the East Timorese leadership said: "No amount or formulation of words can properly convey the sympathy we and the people of East Timor feel for the victims of this appalling crime, their families and the people and Government of the United States."

"While this fledging country is unfortunately in no position to offer much in the way of material support, what it can offer in abundance, and which it does with all its heart, is moral support to a true friend in its time of need."

Since yesterday, East Timorese and expatriates have been leaving flowers and other offerings at the US mission in Dili.

From: UNTAET Daily Briefing, Dili, 13 September 2001

Speaking to Radio UNTAET in Dili, Bishop Carlos Felipe Ximenes Belo expressed his sympathy and solidarity with the people of the United States.

"I extend my sympathy to the families of those killed," he said. "I condemn this act of terrorism, which has taken the lives of innocent people…We must condemn all acts of violence, be it the small or big countries, rich or poor. We must respect each other."

Department of Foreign Affairs East Timor 
Transitional Administration 
12 September 2001

For Immediate Release

EAST TIMOR EXPRESSES CONDOLENCES TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

From Jakarta today Cabinet Member for Foreign Affairs and Noble Peace Prize Laureate Dr Jose Ramos-Horta expressed his condolences to the American people, condemning the terrorist attack in which hijacked planes ploughed into the World Trade Centre Towers in New York, the Pentagon and an area in Pittsburgh.

"I learn with shock and horror the cowardly attack on civilian targets in the United States by extremist terrorists." Dr Ramos-Horta said.

"No cause, no grievance by anyone, anywhere in the world can justify such criminal and cowardly acts. The whole world must stand united once and for all, with and firmness and determination to stamp out terrorists, wherever they are.

Governments and countries that willingly or indirectly provide these groups with sanctuary must be held accountable.

I extend to the American people and their leaders my personal sentiment of solidarity and grief. The people of East Timor join me in expressing comfort to the families of the victims of these cowardly attacks."

Dr Ramos-Horta is part of a delegation including United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary General Sergio Vieira de Mello, East Timorese Leader Xanana Gusmao, and newly elected member of East Timor's Constituent Assembly, Secretary General of Fretilin Mari Alkatiri in Jakarta today to meet with Indonesian President Megawati Sukarnoputri. The four leaders will issue a joint statement shortly.

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