Cultural Fest at Indon-E Timorese Border to Serve As Security Barometer - Official

September 2, 2003 12:29am Antara

Atambua, E Nusa Tenggara, Sept 1 (ANTARA) - A cultural festival to be held in Timor Tengah Utara district in Indonesia's East Nusa Tenggara province on Sept 22, would serve as the barometer for security in the border between Indonesia and East Timor, a local official has said.

"Our people are preparing for the festival and they will show the world that security in (Timor Tengah Utara) is conducive," deputy district head, Gabriel Manek, said here Monday.

Gabriel noted that if the festival is held peacefully, the United Nations no longer has any reason not to lift Resolution No 1319, which put East Nusa Tenggara under an "alarming security status" following the killing of two UN aid workers on Sept 8, 2000.

The UN resolution has hampered the development of the district, he said.

The festival will commemorate the 81st anniversary of the town of Kefamenanu and will feature cultural and art performances, he said.

He said the district might invite the East Timorese enclave of Oecusse near the border, to join the festival as its people share the same cultural roots as those of the people of Timor Tengah Utara.

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