DILI, 11 march 2022 (TATOLI)- The Democratic Republic of Timor–Leste through the Ministry of Defense and the Instituto Nacional da Defesa (IDN) – a public institution of higher education in military and police studies, in Timor–Leste, today, commemorated the 30th International solidarity movement “Peace Mission in Timor”, symbolized in Lusitânia Expresso journay.
The Chief Major of the National Defense Forces (F-FDTL) and IDN Director of Defense Admiral Pedro Donaciano “Klamar Fuik,” explained that 11, march 2022 is the 30th anniversary of the international solidarity movement “Peace in Timor” about the journey on Lusitania Expresso.
In a sequence of massacres, the Indonesian military carried out massacres and murders on november 12, 1991 at the Santa Cruz Cemetery, Dili, in Portugal and around the world, public opinion showed and mobilized protests against the violent massacres carried out by the Indonesian military. Civil society organizes and spreads this issue with great visibility in the world.
“From this context that gave rise to the Peace Mission in Timor, an initiative of the student from Forum Revista Team with the aim of sensitizing international public opinion on the Timor-Leste ‘s case,”the Head of the F-FDTL Mayor and the Director of IDN Admiral Pedro ‘Klamar Fuik’ told TATOLI at Santa Cruz Cemetery, Dili, this friday.
This initiative was supported by various public figures such as the former President of the Republic of Portugal, General Ramalho Eanes and mobilized 120 students from 23 countries. This team boarded the Lusitania Expresso, came to Timor to pay tribute to the victims of the november 12 Massacre by bringing flowers to sprinkle at the Santa Cruz massacre Dili, at that time to seek media attention on the violence of the military operation against the youth and people of Timor-Leste.
“I along with the 120 from Portugal headed for the Timor Sea for 47 days on march 11, 1992, the Lusitania Expresso was blocked by planes and four warships from the Indonesian military even though the Lusitania Expresso was already in the territorial sea of Timor – Leste. Due to the prohibition from the Indonesian Military, we only sowed flowers in the Timor Sea – to pay tribute to the victims of Santa Cruz and the killing of the Timorese people – others who were killed by the Indonesian regime and were forced to return to Portugal.
“Although the Lusitania Expresso did not arrive in Dili, it was able to mobilize international media observers to the dramatic situation that the Timorese were facing as a sign of their historical solidarity and struggle for the liberation and independence of Timor–Leste which was achieved in the 10 years after 2002,” the Chief of Major of F-FDTL and the Director of IDN, Admiral Pedro Klamar Fuik,” added.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor : Rafy Belo
