Antara

Dec 23 18:47

Xanana Gusmao to Attend X'mas in Jakarta Cathedral

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Timor Lorosae President Xanana Gusmao will attend a Christmas mass at Jakarta`s Cathedral here Saturday evening.

"President Xanana has already sent a letter to the Indonesian Foreign Affairs Ministry indicating his intention to attend Christmas mass at the Cathedral at 10 p.m. local time," said Janhars Yukti the chairman of the Cathedral`s Christmas Celebration Committee here Friday.

Like in previous years, ahead and during Christmas the Cathedral beefs up its security by deploying 60 security guards inside the church and 50 others in the church yard.

Meanwhile, the Jakarta Police are deploying 268 policemen to safeguard the area around the Cathedral which is able to accommodate 2,500 people.

"We urge the people who want to attend Christmas Mass here not to carry big bags or thick jackets in order to ensure an easy and smooth security checkup. It would be better if they do not wear too many accessories in order to prevent unpleasant things," Janhars Yukti said. The Jakarta Roman Catholic Cathedral is the oldest and biggest in Indonesia.

In a referendum in 1999, the people of Timor-Leste, a former Portuguese colony, voted overwhelmingly in favour of independence from Indonesia. Xanana Gusmao was later elected its first president. (*)