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Ex-East Timor governor given hero's burial

Source
Jakarta Post - June 20, 2007

Yemris Fointuna, Kupang – Thousands of people gathered at Dharmaloka heroes cemetery in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, on Tuesday to pay their last respects to Abilio Jose Osorio Soares, the last governor of East Timor before it declared independence through a UN-organized referendum in 1999.

The funeral took place under dark skies and a light rain which fell on mourners. As the East Timorese integration champion was buried, a hymn played and many of Abilio's friends and relatives wept. An honor guard fired their weapons in salute to the former governor, eliciting further cries from the bereaved family.

Abilio's mother, Beatris Osorio Soares, 86, attended the funeral. She was accompanied by Abilio's wife, Maria Angela Correia de Lemos Osorio Soares, and their four children.

Former commander of the Army's Strategic Reserves Command, Lt. Gen. Prabowo Subianto was also was present. The deputy governor of East Nusa Tenggara, Frans Leburaya, spoke during the ceremony, at one point unsuccessfully fighting back the tears.

Leburaya said during his speech that Abilio was a patriot who made immeasurable contributions to the nation. "Abilio is a national hero. He devoted his life to the nation. He is gone now, but his work will continue to be commemorated."

Prabowo said Abilio deserved the honor of burial in the heroes cemetery. "He struggled for the welfare of the East Timorese since the 1950s, when he was still an adolescent. The attention given by the government for his burial in the heroes cemetery shows this nation appreciates its heroes," he said.

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