THE TANAISTE, Mr Spring, and Irish supporters of the East Timorese cause warmly welcomed the Nobel award for the religious and political leaders of East Timor.
Mr Spring praised Bishop Carlos Belo and Mr Jose RamosHorta "for their work towards bringing a just and peaceful solution to the conflict in East Timor". He said the award gave them "deserved recognition for their efforts towards the achievement of a fair, comprehensive and internationally acceptable solution to the question of East Timor, which fully respects the interests and legitimate aspirations of the Timorese people, in accordance with international law."
The Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Ms Joan Burton, said she hoped the award would provide an impetus for a peaceful settlement in East Timor. She had met both men, she said, and was "deeply impressed by their commitment and unceasing efforts they have made in striving for a just solution".
Mr Tom Hyland of the East Timor/Ireland Solidarity Campaign said the award was "a miracle. They have given a clear signal by dividing the prize between the political leader and the religious leader . . . They could have just given it to Bishop Belo, but this is a very clear political signal that the Oslo committee does not like what is happening in East Timor.
He said the campaign welcomed the actions in the past of Mr Spring on East Timor: "He has been one of the champions of the East Timorese cause. With the presidency of the EU there is now a responsibility on the Irish Government to push for an arms embargo against Indonesia.
"Indonesia should also be pressed into releasing Mr Xanana Gusmao, the resistance leader currently imprisoned in Indonesia" Mr Hyland said.
The Green Party MEP Ms Patricia McKenna said Ireland should react to the award by insisting on an EU, arms embargo on Indonesia. Trocaire's director. Mr Justin Kilcullen welcomed the award to the bishop, who visited Ireland last year at Trocaire's invitation.