Subject: 'austraLasia' # 225

SOME RELIEF FOR SALESIAN SISTERS AND REFUGEES IN DILI

Julian Fox (using ANS and FMA newsletter)

Suppplies have arrived at the Salesian Sisters community in Dili (this

confirmed by telephone) where around 80 refugees, as well as the Sisters and

Novices, are located. Security is tight. Caritas International (cannot

comment on whether this is the East Timor branch or whether the effort is

directed from the Rome centre)have brought in the supplies. The army kept

the operation under close scrutiny not even allowing CI members to enter the

house.

Meanwhile in Rome, Bishop Belo has held a Press Conference at the Vatican.

It was a crowded conference - about 15 journalists eventually got to ask

questions, a number of which Bishop Belo turned neatly aside, stressing that

the most important and immediate thing was assistance to those in desperate

need now. "It is for such as these that I left Timor, for whom I am their

Bishop even now. I leave other more political considerations to others". he

said.

The Bishop met with various Italian political authorities in the following

days. These have all been reported elsewhere. (The 'austraLasia' service

really wants to concentrate on reporting information that is not so easy to

come by from other sources).

_____________________________________________

BOSCONET: The trademark of the Salesian Website, Australia:

http://www.bosconet.aust.com

'AUSTRALASIA': rapid newslink for Salesians in Asia and Australia: Please

forward any contributions to jbfox@ozemail.com.au