(24 Oct 1999) Indonesian/Nat
East Timor's charismatic 53-year-old independence leader, Jose Alexandre "Xanana" Gusmao, made a highly charged and emotional return on Sunday to his guerilla movement's mountain stronghold in Remexio, about 19 miles (30 kilometres) south-east of the capital Dili.
Gusmao was airlifted into Remexio by a Blackhawk helicopter flown by Australian peacekeepers.
Local people cheered and clapped, many cried, as Xanana Gusmao walked through the village surrounded by soldiers of his guerilla movement Falantil.
Gusmao's long-awaited pilgrimage to Remexia was underlined by a moving speech of thanks to his guerrillas who maintained steadfast resistance in the bloody conflict against Indonesian troops throughout their fight for independence.
After a generation of hardship and bloodshed, their long-imprisoned leader was given a triumphant homecoming.
Smartly turned out in camouflage uniforms and red berets, the Falantil guerrillas formed a guard of honour for their leader.
The years of struggle, incarceration and the terror his homeland had endured finally showed as Gusmao emotionally praised the cadres.
SOUNDBITE: (Tetun)
"I knew that we could make it. Even though we are small, we are poor. We showed we could do it and we did it. We showed that the people of East Timor are brave, the people of East Timor are wise. I with my words are small, very small."
SUPERCAPTION: Jose Alexandre Gusmao, East Timorese leader
SOUNDBITE: (Tetun)
"Heroes of Falantil, you are brave, you are wise. We do not have heavy guns, we only have our bodies and courage to fight against colonialism, against people who oppressed our people."
SUPERCAPTION: Jose Alexandre Gusmao, East Timorese leader
Gusmao also took time to comfort the widows of Falantil soldiers.
His people and the world now await to see whether he will take on the mantle of the first President of a free and independent East Timor.
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