East Timor grieves with Australia over Bali attack

MELBOURNE, Reuters

Oct. 21 — East Timor praised Australia on Monday for not turning on Indonesia or Muslims in general after the bombings in Bali, which have been deemed the nation's blackest day

''I am very impressed with the way the Australian government and the Australian people have reacted with pain, but sincerity, without turning this event in Bali into a hate Indonesia, hate Muslim (campaign),'' Foreign Minister Jose Ramos Horta said.

Around 180 people are believed to have been killed in the October 12 bomb blasts which ripped through nightclubs packed with foreign tourists at Kuta Beach on the Indonesian holiday island.

Australians are expected to make up around 100 of the victims.

Horta told reporters in Melbourne that hundreds of East Timorese paid tribute to the victims of the bomb attack during Australia's national day of mourning on Sunday.

''The East Timorese people, led by President Xanana Gusmao, joined our Australian friends in paying tribute and showing solidarity in these darkest days for Australia,'' Horta said.

The Foreign Minister also said his tiny island nation was very grateful for Australia's contribution during East Timor's campaign for independence.

Australia led a United Nations force in East Timor after a vote for independence in 1999 sparked violence by pro-Jakarta militia.

The tiny island nation celebrated its independence on May 20 this year and was accepted as the 191st member of the United Nations last month.