(27 Oct 1999) English/Nat
East Timorese leader, Jose Alexandre "Xanana" Gusmao, has called for a peaceful reconciliation between the divided peoples of the half-island territory.
The popular leader has been touring his homeland, visiting pro-independence strongholds.
He was recently released from custody in Indonesia where he served seven years in prison for leading a guerrilla war against Indonesia's 24-year occupation of the former Portuguese colony.
Greeted by cheering crowds, the man widely expected to become the new nation's first president, was given a warm welcome by old guerrilla comrades on Tuesday.
The town of Bobonaro, near the border with Indonesian West Timor, is the second known Falintil stronghold Gusmao has visited since arriving back in his homeland.
Over the past 24 years, independence rebels have waged a stubborn guerrilla war from the forests, against a vastly superior Indonesian force, who took over the territory in 1975.
About 200-thousand East Timorese, mainly civilians, died in the conflict.
The independence vote held in August finally allowed the majority Catholic province to break away from Indonesia but not without paying a heavy price.
Anti-independence militiamen, backed by sections of the Indonesian military, killed dozens of people,
burned buildings and forced thousands to flee their homes.
Xanana, aware that full Independence is probably two or three years away for East Timor, says he wants to prepare his people for a long journey of recovery.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I already appealed and I will always appeal to the people that were directly or indirectly involved themselves in the violence and destruction, to come forward and face our people. We will not take any revenge but they have to confess their crimes to the people."
SUPER CAPTION: Jose Alexandre "Xanana" Gusmao, Falintil Leader
Despite bloodshed and bitterness, both sides have expressed a desire for reconciliation.
Relations between the world's newest state in waiting and its former keeper may yet turn for the better.
Indonesia's moderate new president, Abdurrahman Wahid, says he plans to meet with Gusmao soon.
Since Indonesia's ratification of East Timor's independence vote, the United Nations has set up a transitional administration to prepare East Timor for full independence.
The United Nations never recognised Indonesia's annexation of East Timor and has been trying to resolve the territory's status ever since.
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