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East Timor Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao holding the uniform he was wearing when captured by Indonesian soldiers in 1992. The jacket and other items were taken from his possession when he was commanding Falintil, the Armed Forces for the National Liberation of East Timor. The items were returned by Indonesia Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro, right, during a celebration in Dili. East Timor on Saturday officially disbanded pro-independence armed unit Falintil who had fought against Indonesian occupation of the country for more than two decades. (EPA Photo) |
JAKARTA GLOBE
Dili, East Timor. East Timor on Saturday officially disbanded pro-independence armed unit Falintil who had fought against Indonesian occupation of the country for more than two decades.
“Today in a military ceremony and parade, the Timor Leste government has symbolically disbanded armed wing Falintil which for 24 years was ... in the forests to fight for Timor Leste’s independence,” President Jose Ramos-Horta said, using to the country’s formal name.
“They are admirable and brave warriors, have strong faith, and did not think a lot about ... risks. They [survived] from one year to another to sing the dream of independence,” Ramos-Horta said.
The government honored 236 men and women from the armed wing at the ceremony, which was also attended by several officials from Indonesia.
East Timor, a former Portuguese colony, was occupied by Indonesia for 24 years from
The tiny nation gained formal independence in 2002 after winning its freedom in a 1999 UN-backed referendum marred by violence.
A reconciliation commission established jointly by East Timor and Indonesia found in 2008 that while gross human rights were committed by Indonesian forces, there should be no more trials and no further arrests.
East Timor has a wealth of energy resources but remains one of the poorest countries in Asia, with most people dependent on foreign aid.
*Agence France-Presse
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