The leader of the Dili diocese Bishop Carlos Ximenes Belo reminded leaders of political parties to have more contacts with the grassroots so that they could see with their own eyes the conditions under which people are living in. This, said Bishop Belo, would make political leaders be more realistic in their aspirations to build the country.
“There have been many complaints from the people that political leaders are reluctant to turn to the grassroots,” said Bishop Belo when he met reporters after the meeting with CPD-RDTL leaders.
Commenting on the district people outside the Liberty Center, in Lecidere, Bishop Belo said they were in Dili under difficult circumstances.
“Sometimes they have food and sometimes
they don’t. They’re sleeping out in the open space in unhygienic conditions,”
he said.
But Bishop Belo said the political leaders
had to claim responsibility of these people.
“If these people say they want to stay put for a year, the leaders of political parties must say no. Tell them that they have to go back to their villages in the districts. Tell them that they have their families there. Tell them that they have their livestock and crops to tend to. No they just can’t stay here.”
In order to overcome conflicts among the parties, Bishop Belo advised the leaders to talk often to one another.
“Many leaders don’t listen to one another and prefer instead to hit out at their rivals thorough the press,” said Belo.