EAST TIMOR: RESIDENTS PREPARE FOR FIRST CURFEW-FREE CHRISTMAS IN 24 YEARS

Record ID: 505390

  • Title: EAST TIMOR: RESIDENTS PREPARE FOR FIRST CURFEW-FREE CHRISTMAS IN 24 YEARS
  • Date: 25th December 1999
  • Summary: DILI, EAST TIMOR (DECEMBER 24 1999) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (English) IAN CLARK, WARRANT OFFICER, SAYING: "I guess amongst us I should imagine it will make us a lot closer, that we've got to become our own sort of family at this time of year, because our families are so far away. We're sharing with these people of East Timor, certainly makes it a little bit easier." SCU S
  • Embargoed: 9th January 2000 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: DILI AND ERMERA, EAST TIMOR
  • Country: Timor-Leste
  • Topics: General,Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA909ZRL275F69GTRRHHOQL6K8W
  • Story Text: Santa Claus has arrived in East Timor where residents have been preparing for their first curfew-free Christmas in 24 years.
    Hundreds of children welcomed the arrival of Santa Claus to the town of Ermera on board a military truck on Friday (December 24).
    Santa came bearing gifts and sweets and for some lucky children, a chance to get close to the man in the red suit.
    Dozens of armed INTERFET (International Forces in East Timor) had come to Ermera with Santa and joined in the festive spirit.
    In the capital Dili, Australian soldiers, leading the 11,000 member international force joined East Timorese residents in Christmas celebrations.
    "Just to see all those happy faces.Like the children here have been through so much and can still come out with the wonderful smile on their faces, without care in the world,"
    said Corporal Philip de Bonfort.
    To most of the soldiers, the experience of spending the holidays with the East Timorese was special.
    It was also a chance to give the children toy presents that had been collected during a month-long campaign in Australia.
    Many of the children are still reeling from the violence led by the pro-Jakarta militiamen after the territory voted for independence from Indonesia on August 30.
    Shops and houses were burnt down and thousands of East Timorese were displaced from their homes.
    This year's Christmas celebrations is special for East Timorese since this is the first time in 24 years that they will be celebrating it without a curfew.
    Under Indonesian rule, curfew was imposed with heavily-armed Indonesian soldiers patrolling the streets at night, making it virtually impossible for residents to attend the traditional midnight mass.
    On Friday, dozens of children were singing carols on the streets of Dili, made colourful by various Christmas decorations.
    East Timorese resident Nico Borromeo says this Christmas is definitely the best for most East Timorese because now his country is free from Indonesian rule.
    East Timor's spiritual leader Bishop Carlos Belo is set to celebrate the midnight mass at Dili's main cathedral and various activities are being lined up by INTERFET on Saturday (December 25), Christmas Day.
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