East Timor Bishop Carlos Ximenes Belo complained of the rise in foreign prostitutes in the staunchly Catholic territory, which becomes independent at midnight on Sunday. In a rare press conference, the Nobel peace prize-winner said that when he boarded a recent flight to Dili from the Indonesian resort island of Bali, he found the aircraft "filled with 15 or 18-year-old young ladies" coming from Thailand.

"I ask, 'Who imported them?"' Belo said, suggesting that prostitutes have been serving the thousands of United Nations peacekeepers, police and civilian staff who since late 1999 have been preparing the territory for independence.

"We know that there are houses of prostitution operating in Dili," said Belo, who co-won his Nobel prize for his work during the Indonesian occupation of East Timor.

The foreign presence has been dramatically reduced as independence approaches but large numbers of overseas police and military personnel will remain in the new nation, which is also hoping to woo foreign tourists.

Prostitutes are believed to have operated quietly in Dili for some time. One local business is now openly advertising "traditional Thai massage service" and "full body oil massage." Belo said he understands East Timor cannot shut itself off from the outside world.

"We only ask, please take into consideration the local culture, local values. If you have positive culture from abroad, OK," he said.

During Indonesia's 24-year military occupation of East Timor, the Catholic church was the only independent voice speaking out on behalf of the oppressed.

Now, in a free East Timor, Belo acknowledged that the church has become one of many voices. "So we are among them and we will continue our work, mainly to be a moral voice: how to avoid corruption, how to appeal to the Timorese to work harder, how to maintain peace and tranquility in the country," he said.