DILI, 15 december 2021 (TATOLI) – The ashes of British and Timorese journalist ‘Max Stahl’ arrived in Timor-Leste, accompanied by his wife Ingrid Bucens and children from Australia, on a Qantas flight, at Nicolau Lobato International Airport, at around 11:45 am local time.
Stahl’s ashes were received by Timor-Leste historical leaders, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão and former President José Ramos-Horta, and officially handed over to the Timorese Government, represented by the Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Fidélis Magalhães.
“On behalf of the Government and the Prime Minister, Taur Matan Ruak, it is an honor to receive the ashes of the late Max Stahl,” Magalhães made the statement at Comoro airport.
He said through Stahl’s footage and images, the suffering, and sorrow of Timorese people were spread across the globe.
“On behalf of the government and the people of Timor Leste, I would like to welcome the family of Max Stahl. I ask Timorese people to pay their last tribute to Max Stahl for his work and contribution to the independence of the nation”, he stressed.
He also asked the Timorese youth to learn from Max Stahl to value international solidarity, to become responsible citizens within the international community: “Several countries in the world are still experiencing the same difficulties that we faced 20 years ago.”
Magalhaes informed that the interment ceremony will be adjusted with the plan of the organizing committee.
The internment of ashes of Max Stahl would take place at Santa Cruz cemetery where the journalist collected the tragic images and footage of the massacre that shift international attention to the Timorese struggle against the Indonesian occupation.
Max Stahl died on october 28, in Brisbane, on the same day that marked the 30th anniversary of the death of Sebastião Gomes, which caused political unrest that led to the Santa Cruz massacre.
Journalist: Afonso do Rosário
Editor: Maria Auxiliadora
Translation: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges Rosario
