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 Jonathan Head reports for BBC News"Jose Ramos Horta got a heroes welcome"  real 28k The BBC's Alison Roberts"Portugal isn't about to pass its responsibilities as the former colonial power on to others"  real 28k |
Portugal pledges aid for Timor
 Mr Gama, left, met independence leader Xanana Gusmao in Dili |
Portugal has pledged $225m in aid over three years to help its former colony East Timor make the transition to statehood.
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Mr Gama, the first Portuguese minister to visit East Timor since Portugal's hurried withdrawal in 1975, stayed just four hours in the territory which voted on 30 August for independence from Indonesia.
Troops promise
Portugal has also promised around 1,000 troops and police to join an international peacekeeping force being assembled to give armed support to a United Nations administration that will govern the territory for the next two or three years.
Mr Gama said earlier that diplomatic ties between Portugal and Indonesia were to be resumed, after a break of 24 years.
He said relations had warmed considerably since the violence in East Timor had died down and the territory had voted for independence.
Indonesian invasion
East Timor was invaded by Indonesian troops in December 1975, just months after the Portuguese colonial administration left.
 Mr Horta was shocked by the destruction |
Portugal has already agreed to a United Nations request that it contribute 700 men to the peacekeepers that are to take over from the Australian-led Interfet force in January.
The Portuguese state bank BNU has meanwhile opened for business in Dili, paying pensions to former Portuguese state employees.
Horta returns
The TImorese independence leader Jose Ramos Horta had himself only returned to East Timor on Wednesday after 24 years in exile.
 This only gives me the determination to serve the people, to rebuild everything again  |
| Jose Ramos Horta |
Interviewed on Portuguese radio, Bishop Belo said: It is undoubtedly always a cause for joy when we see the sons of this land returning to the native soil."
Later, Mr Horta expressed his shock at the destruction he had witnessed on his return to the territory.
"I am deeply shocked by so much unnecessary violence, so much violence for the sake of violence, with no justification," he said.
His return followed talks in Jakarta on Tuesday with the Indonesian President, Abdurrahman Wahid, who also met the East Timorese independence leader, Xanana Gusmao.
The leaders agreed to turn their backs on the violence of the past and look forward to a new era of co-operation.
Humanitarian aid to halt
However, in a later development, Indonesia announced that humanitarian aid to East Timorese refugees in West Timor would end on Saturday when funds will run out.
The Antara news agency quoted an official in the provincial administration as saying: "Our budget to help the East Timorese refugees will last only until next 4 December."
"Aid for those who still want to stay in West Timor will have to come from the UNHCR" he said, adding that refugees from East Timor had been advised to return home.
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See also: | |
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 | 25 Aug 99 | Asia-Pacific |
| Portugal's obsession with Timor |
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| 08 Sep 99 | East Timor |
| Profile: Timor's exiled leader |
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| 30 Nov 99 | Asia-Pacific |
| 'New relationship' for East Timor |
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| 23 Oct 99 | Asia-Pacific |
| 'Day of freedom' for Timor |
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| 29 Nov 99 | Asia-Pacific |
| Indonesia 'responsible' for Timor destruction |
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| 27 Oct 99 | Asia-Pacific |
| UN wants $200m for East Timor |
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| 03 Nov 99 | Asia-Pacific |
| UN teams snatch Timor refugees |
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| 06 Oct 99 | East Timor |
| Bishop Belo: Timor's spiritual leader |
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Internet links: | |
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| East Timor Human Rights Centre |
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| TimorNet |
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| East Timor International Support Centre |
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| UN Mission in East Timor |
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