Dili – After being dogged by waves of conflict, East Timorese figures from both the pro-integration and pro-independence sides yesterday signed the Peace Declaration of the East Timorese for Peace Association (KOTBD) in Dili, witnessed by Tamrad Samuel, representing the UN Secretary-General's special envoy for East Timor, Jamsheed Marker.

On Samuel's left sat pro-independence figures including David Dias Ximenes, deputy chairman of the National Council for Timorese Resistance (CNRT); Leandro Isaac, CNRT politics and security coordinator; and Ma Huno and Ma Hudu from Fretilin (Revolutionary Front for an Independent East Timor). On Samuel's right sat pro-integration figures including East Timor Governor Abilio [Soares]; Alexandro Boromeo, who was a signatory to the [1975] Balibo Declaration; and Elias Carceres, head of the East Timor branch of the National Family Planning Coordination Agency.

The founders, patrons and advisers of KOTBD include Xanana Gusmao, Mauhunu, Mauhudu, and David Dias Ximenes from Fretilin; Salvador JX Soares, Gil da Costa Alves, and Abilio Soares from Apodeti (Timor Democratic People's Association); Mariano Lopes da Crus and Ir [academic title: engineer] Mario V Carrascalao, both of whom are from UDT (Timor Demoratic Union); Bishop of Dili Carlos Belo and Bishop of Baucau Basilio do Nascimento; the commander of the Military Area Command 164/Wiradharma, Col Tito Suratman; and East Timor Provincial Police Chief Col G.M.T. Silaen. There were 25 signatories to the declaration...