The prize winners of 1996 were born
In East Timor, an Asian islands nation torn
By its history of Portuguese and Indonesian occupation.
Poverty, massacres, torture and forced relocations
Were called the “forgotten conflict” of ethnic and cultural cleansing,
Spelling national trauma, rights and independence denied.
Carlos Belo became a Catholic priest working to bring
The need for peace negotiations to the U.S. and world’s eyes.
His efforts helped focus international attention, and shift
Indonesian political efforts towards healing East Timor rifts.
Ramos-Horta was a leader for East Timor’s social democracy,
A movement coordinating with all parties to secure unity
Of purpose and plan, bringing the islands of the nation
From colonialized property to democracy, with stable dedication.
