East Timor's Ramos Horta thanks supporters

Mar 12, 2008, 11:05 GMT

Sydney - East Timor President Jose Ramos Horta thanked supporters Wednesday in his first public comments since being shot in a botched coup last month that also targeted Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao.

Ramos Horta, 58, was medically evacuated from Dili to the far-north Australian city of Darwin on February 11 after being shot in the chest and lung by soldiers loyal to Major Alfredo Reinado, who himself died in the exchange of gunfire in Dili, the East Timor capital.

'Today is the first time I've been able to speak publicly,' Ramos Horta said in a videotaped message. 'Although I'm refraining from making a political speech, this being Easter week I wish to use this opportunity to thank all who prayed for me, who looked after me, who cared for me following the assassination attempt.'

Ramos Horta will need a sixth operation to redo a skin graft on his lung that failed to take. He could be discharged within a week but is unlikely to return to Dili immediately.

Ramos Horta shared the 1996 Nobel Peace Prize with compatriot Bishop Carlos Belo for leading the diplomatic campaign for East Timor's freedom.

Indonesia invaded the former Portuguese colony in 1975 and its occupation continued until 1999, the year Australia led an international force that helped guide East Timor to full independence in 2002.