East Timor Presidential Election 2007 Page 1A

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PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION 2007 PAGE 1A

UNMIT Daily Media Review 22 March 2007

The 5 Presidential Candidates Rejected the Approval of Article 38

The members of National Parliament (NP) who approved alter or Amendment law 7/2006 on the article 38 regarding the use of political symbols on ballot papers shows that the sovereignty organs are being manipulated.

Avelino Coelho as the representative of the four other candidates stated that all the presidential candidates reject such an article since it is considered as a manipulation.

The joint declaration was represented by Dionisio Babo (Ramos Horta), João Gonçalves (Lucia Lobato), Rui Menezes (Fernando Lasama) and Abilio Lima (Francisco Xavier). (STL)

Rogerio's Lawyer has not submitted the appeal, Tribunal could execute the decision

The time for Rogerio's lawyer to submit an appeal is nearly finished by Wednesday (21/03) Rogerio's lawyer did not appear to register the appeal which may mean the decision made will be executed.

As stated by law, it should take 15 days, but if Rogerio's lawyer has not submitted the appeal within that time, the District Tribunal can implement the decision made of seven and half years of imprisonment for

Rogerio.

(STL)

Presidential Candidate rejects UNPol Guard

Avelino Coelho, a presidential candidate from Socialist Party of Timorense (PST) rejected UNpol guard since he has never needed protection before. The purpose of UNPol guard within UNMIT policy is to provide security for the presidential candidates. (STL)

Ramos Horta: Party's Attributes may Delay Election Process

Ramos Horta said that the new article regarding the use of political symbols on ballot papers being presented by Fretilin which has been approved at the plenary session could delay the upcoming election. The president of republic questioned the idea of amending an article that is already in existence. (DN and STL)

Electoral campaign starts tomorrow: Horta in Dili, Lu-Olo in Ossu, Avelino in Laclubar and Lucia in Liquiça

Based on the schedule of CNE, the first electoral campaign will start tomorrow, Thursday 23/03/2007 as the official day. The eight candidates will campaign according to the settled schedule to compete in the upcoming presidential election on 09 April 2007.

Jose Ramos Horta will start his first campaign in GMT Dili, Lu-Olo will be in Viqueque-Ossu, Avelino Coelho in Manatuto-Laclubar, Lucia in Liquiça, Francisco Xavier do Amaral in Bobonaro-Maliana, João Carrascalão in Gleno-Ermera, Fernando de Araujo Lasama in Covalima-Suai and Manuel Tilman will be in Dili at University Dom Martinho. (DN)

Jose Reis: Election, the Major Justice

The State Secretary of Region I, Jose Reis, reportedly on Tuesday 20/03 in a District Seminar in Vemasse-Baucau, said that the general election will help to achieve justice in the country, so good conditions are preferred so that all people can take part in the democratic process. (DN)

Registration and Electoral card and Passport May used to vote

Father Martinho, the Spokesperson of CNE reportedly (Wednesday, 21/3) in Quintal Boot said that the registration card of UNTAET, the former electoral card and the current electoral card produced by STAE can be used to vote in the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections. Another possibility is using a Passport if a person has none of these three cards. Voters who have none of these cards and no Passport will have no right to vote.

Tilman: Indigenous for President

We must vote for indigenous villagers who were not able to leave their homeland rather than vote for strangers who came to enrich themselves with our resources, said Manuel Tilman, one of the presidential candidates with a monarchical background on the PPT Conference on Wednesday (21/3). (TP)

TVTL- News Headlines 21 March 2007

CNE Officially Launches Candidates Campaign Timetable

CNE today officially launched the presidential candidates' campaign timetable for seven candidates except for Manuel Tilman as he had not yet presented his schedule. Most of the candidates conclude their campaign in Dili.

CNRT National Commission Meet Militants in Liquiça

The national commission of Congresso Nacional Reconstrução Timor (CNRT) meets with community members in Liquiça to discuss congress scheduled to take place on March 25. Folaran, coordinator of CNRT in Liquiça said the establishment of the organization is to bring stability to the country and it would have a different symbol to that of the CNRT during the resistance. Mau Hunu is the interim president of the organization.

CNRT National Commission Meet Militants in Liquiça

Horta Saddened With Fretilin Decision

Presidential Candidate, Ramos-Horta is saddened with Fretilin candidates for using Fretilin symbol during the presidential campaign.

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UNMIT Daily Media Review 21 March 2007

President Candidates can utilize any symbols

The Vice President of NP, Jacob Fernandez said that all presidential candidates can utilize any symbols in their campaigns for democratic

competition in the upcoming presidential election 09/04/2007.

Local Electoral Observers Getting Training

Officers of the Provedor de Direitos Humanos e Justisa (PDHJ), other civil societies and university students took the training to be observers on the presidential and parliamentary elections that was held in the PDHJ office, Caicoli Dili from 15 to 21 March 2007. This information was gathered by DN on Tuesday 20/03 through a press conference. The training was aimed at improving the knowledge of the local observers during their monitoring of the elections. (DN)

Three Presidential Candidates haven't submitted their Campaign Schedules

In three days the candidates to be President of RDTL will start their campaign. Until yesterday the CNE received only five campaign schedules of five candidates. The other three candidates, Lucia Lobato, Manuel Tilman and Avelino Coelho haven't submitted or represented their campaign schedules to CNE yet. CNE had not announced the campaign schedule of the presidential candidates because of the three candidates. The other five campaign schedules of presidential candidates at CNE are therefore considered as temporary schedules. (STL)

Timorese Overseas have right to vote

The Chairperson of East Timor People Actions (ETPA) Cecilio Caminha Freitas reportedly said that East Timorese who live overseas have the right to vote. Furthermore, he said according to article 35 law of presidential election, they have right to vote. In fact, the Government and STAE have to give them a means to vote by creating polling stations via all embassies abroad. (STL)

Horta: the situation benefits the election process

According to the meeting of High Level Committee, the security situation in the country before the presidential election will enable all the Timorese to give their votes on the Election Day. The high level weekly meeting held at Palacio das Cinzas (20/3) was participated in by SRSG Atul Khare and his Deputy Fin Rieske Nielson, Brigadier Taur Matan Ruak, Brigadier General Mal Rerden, Prosecutor General Longuinhos Monteiro, Prime Minister Jose Ramos Horta and President Republic Xanana Gusmão.

Ramos-Horta Rejects Accusations

Presidential candidate, Ramos-Horta has rejected accusation by another candidate, Lucia Lobato (PSD) that he has already started his campaign, adding that the population is aware that the presidential campaign is only starting on March 23, hence there is no point campaigning now. (RTTL)

Youth Support Amaral

Associacão Social Democrata Timorense (ASDT) youth organization appealed to all the youth to support presidential candidate Francisco Xavier do Amaral as he can help resolve the situation of the country if he becomes the president. (RTTL)

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UNMIT Media Monitoring TVTL- News Headlines Monday, 19 March 2007

Electoral Monitoring Training

Fretilin held a training session for some members of the party on monitoring of the electoral process for both presidential and parliamentary elections. Members of the party from various sub-districts participated in the training held on the weekend in Aileu. (RTTL)

PD Consolidation Gathering

The Secretary-General of Partido Democrata, Mariano Sabino told a gathering in Faularan, Liquiça District that it is time to put an end to the crisis in TL. In the meantime, the President of the party appealed to all Timorese to

respect and embrace each other during the election. (RTTL)

Lucia Lobato Officially Launches Campaign

Lucia Lobato, Candidate no.5, of Partido Social Democrata, officially launched her campaign in Dili on Monday. In her opening speech, she said if she becomes the President she would strengthen ties with the church and other religious institutions. She has also accused Ramos-Horta of violating the electoral laws during her speech adding that he is already campaigning before the official campaign date. She pointed to some posters distributed in some places he had visited as well and cited the use of government facilities. Lobato further said she already wrote a letter of complaint to CNE. She said up to date the candidates have not received the funds for their campaign as promised and asked the authorities to speed up the release of the funds. (RTTL)

Fretilin Mudansa Will Adhere To Some Political Parties

Victor da Costa of Fretilin Mudansa said the group would adhere to one or two political parties during the elections with the aim to save the nation. Da Costa said by adhering to a party it does not mean that the group would no longer be Fretilin. (RTTL)

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Lu-olo Presidential Campaign pamphlet - in English

http://timortruth.com/fretilin_presidential_election_campaign_documents/Lu_Olo_presidential_election_pamphlet_English.pdf

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UNMIT Daily Media Review 17-19 March 2007

First Day Presidential Election Campaign, 3 Candidates go down to 3 Districts

While waiting for the campaign schedule from CNE, three presidential candidates, Francisco Guterres Lu-Olo, Francisco Xavier do Amaral, and Jose Ramos Horta have targeted first places to campaign. Lu-Olo will start his first campaign in Ossu, a sub-district of Viqueque District and his birth place. Meanwhile, the candidate which has the major opportunity to win the upcoming Presidential Election 09/04/2007, Jose Ramos Horta will start his campaign in the Gedung Matahari Terbit (GMT), Dili. The ASDT candidate, Francisco Xavier do Amaral will start his campaign in the soccer field of Maliana, capital city of Bobonaro District. The other five candidates – Avelino Maria Coelho, Manuel Tilman, Luccia Lobato, and Joao Viegas Carrascalao had not confirmed their first places of campaign yet. (STL, 17/3)

8 Candidates of Presidential Election Sign Code of Conduct

The 8 Candidates of PR for 2007/2012 period are ready to compete in the upcoming presidential election on 09/04. The Code of Conduct has been signed by the candidates as the basis to run the campaign and during the election process. Faustino Gomes, the president of CNE reportedly said the constitution granted the citizens' the right to take part in the process of elections. He highlighted that candidates should demonstrate their efforts and capacities pacifically for the success of the upcoming election. Any misconduct occurring during the campaign will be reported to STAE, CNE and the court. (STL, 17/3)

Fretilin demands Alfredo to respect campaign

The Assistant Secretary General of Fretilin, Jose Reis reportedly appealed to Alfredo Reinado to respect the campaign in order to create stability in the country. Reis demanded that Alfredo, as a Timorese, respect the justice of people and the candidates. Reis calls for Reinado to respect the campaign and its significance towards Democracy and Justice for all people. (STL)

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Indonesia to step up border patrols ahead of Timor Leste polls

Jakarta, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia will step up its patrols along the border with Timor Leste before and during general elections in the neighboring country, a military official said. The military had set up 38 security posts on the border with Timor Leste, Antara news agency on Sunday quoted the chief of the 161/Wirasakti Military Resort Command, Col Arief Rachman, as saying.

"We hope, of course, there will be no incidents or problems threatening our sovereignty. Maxiumum efforts will be made in spite of our limited resources," he said at the border area on Saturday. He said the military had not yet opened its border checkpoints which had been closed since Feb. 26 although the security situation at the border had remained conducive and the situation in the neighboring country had returned to normal. "We will reopen the checkpoints only after there is an order from higher up," he said.

He said he feared the political situation in Timor Leste would heat up ahead of the elections and it was not impossible that Timor Leste people would try to cross the border to escape trouble. "Hopefully no incident will occur in the region. Anything that happens in Timor Leste is the internal affair of that country. I believe former East Timorese living in the region will not interfere in that country's affairs," he said. Joyo Indonesia News Service

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Timor presidential hopefuls sign code of conduct

Agence France Presse DILI, March 16 2007 The eight candidates contesting troubled East Timor's presidential poll signed a code of conduct Friday designed to ensure the vote is fair and peaceful, an official said. The April 9 presidential election will be East Timor's first since it achieved independence in 2002, but there are concerns it could trigger unrest. The code commits the eight candidates to respect the poll's result or challenge it in appropriate courts, said Atul Khare, the head of the UN mission in East Timor, who signed the accord as a witness in the capital, Dili.

Khare said in a statement that the "signing signifies a formal acknowledgement... that will help to ensure that the 2007 presidential elections are free, fair, transparent and peaceful."

Concern for the poll centres partly on fugitive soldier Major Alfredo Reinado, who is being hunted by Australian troops from the international peacekeeping force in the impoverished country. But East Timor's Prime Minister Jose Ramos-Horta, considered the favourite to win the election, has played down fears Reinado could destabilise the vote, saying he lacks sufficient support and should surrender. The voter registration deadline for the poll was extended this week, to next Wednesday, partly because of security problems.

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Francisco "Lu Olo" Guterres para Presidente

http://luolo.blogspot.com/

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FRENTE REVOLUCIONÁRIA DO TIMOR-LESTE INDEPENDENTE

Media Release 16 March 2007

New party’s name is misleading and deceptive

A new political party which, media reports say, will be led by Timor-Leste (East Timor) President Xanana Gusmao, has deliberately been given a misleading name in order to confuse and deceive voters, Fretilin Secretary General Mari Alkatiri said today.

Dr Alkatiri said Fretilin would take legal action based on East Timor’s constitution and laws to prevent the use of the name “National Congress of Timorese Reconstruction”, with the acronym CNRT.

“Use of CNRT is an opportunistic and cynical attempt by the party’s founders to associate it with the former resistance organisation, the National Council of Timorese Resistance also known by the acronym CNRT,’ he said.

“When more than half the electorate is illiterate, there is a moral obligation on all parties to be transparent and unambiguous in their identity, campaign messages and policies.”

Dr Alkatiri added there was reason to suspect that President Gusmao was delaying the announcement of a date for the parliamentary election in order to give his new party more time to get organised.

“If this is the case, it is a clear abuse of power by the president,” he said.

The National Council of Timorese Resistance, initially known as the National Council of Maubere Resistance (CNRM), was created by the Fretilin leadership in 1987 as a non-partisan umbrella organisation designed to involve all East Timorese political organizations in the struggle for independence from Indonesia.

When CNRM was created, the Fretilin leadership decided that Xanana Gusmao should leave Fretilin to become the leader of CNRM and it was also decided that Falintil would become the armed wing of the entire independence movement as opposed to being the armed wing of Fretilin only.

During the 1999 independence referendum, the pro-independence political parties, including Fretilin, campaigned under the name of CNRT.

“Once independence was achieved, CNRT had served its purpose and was dissolved in 2001 so that East Timorese political organisations could participate in a multi-party democracy” Dr Alkatiri said.

“We welcome the decision by Xanana Gusmao and others to form a political party and Fretilin looks forward to the up-coming electoral contest. However, it is unacceptable for any political party to seek to capitalise on the name of CNRT which is an organisation of historical significance to the people of Timor-Leste.”

Contact: Mari Alkatiri on +670 723 0010 (Dili) Filomeno Aleixo (Fretilin Central Committee member) +670 723 0089 (Dili) Alex Tilman (Fretilin spokesperson in Australia) 0419 281 175

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East Timor elections: Australia's role

http://www.newsweekly.com.au/articles/2007mar17_cover.html

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UNMIT Welcomes the Signing of the Code of Conduct for the 2007 Presidential Elections

Dili, March 16, 2007 - At a ceremony in Dili this afternoon, the head of the UN Integrated Mission in Timor Leste (UNMIT) said the signing of a Code of Conduct for the April 9 election will help to ensure that the elections are free, fair, transparent and peaceful.

The Code of Conduct has been drafted by the national body responsible for running the elections, the Technical Secretariat for the Administration of Elections (STAE) and approved by the National Electoral Commission (CNE).

The Code was signed by all eight presidential candidates in Dili.

Special Representative to the Secretary General for Timor Leste Atul Khare signed the Code as a witness, along with the representatives of Organs of Sovereignty, the church and civil society. Mr Khare noted the importance of the Code of Conduct as a whole, as a clear commitment of all candidates to free and fair elections.He highlighted in particular the commitment by all candidates, their representatives and supporters to accept the results, or to challenge them only in competent courts; and to campaign positively through programmes of action not personal criticism of other candidates. He also drew attention to those clauses which encourage respect for the rights of other candidates and request candidates to refrain from exercising any illegitimate influence on voters. “Today’s signing signifies a formal acknowledgement of the guiding principles and rules that will help to ensure that the 2007 Presidential elections are free, fair, transparent and peaceful,” Mr Khare said.

UNMIT is mandated through Security Council Resolution 1704 to “support Timor-Leste in all aspects of the 2007 presidential and parliamentary electoral process, including through technical and logistical support, electoral policy advice and verification or other means.” For further information please contact UNMIT spokesperson Allison Cooper on +670 7230453

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East Timor: European Union Sends Election Observers Adnkronos International 14 March 2007

http://www.adnki.com/index_2Level_English.php?cat=Politics&loid=8.0.395066280&par=0

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Australian troops escalate repression in East Timor

http://www.wsws.org/articles/2007/mar2007/etim-m13.shtml

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East Timor extends voter registration over fears of violence

DILI, East Timor (AP): Street violence and worries about renegade soldiers are disrupting preparations for next month's elections in East Timor - polls seen as crucial to the tiny nation's future - an official said Wednesday.

The voter registration deadline for the polls has been extended to Wednesday next week from Friday this week, said Faustino Cardoso

Gomes, president of the National Electoral Commission.

Gomes said security concerns in parts of the capital, Dili, and in the south were a reason for the extension, along with higher-than-expected voter registration in some areas.

"There has been a problem in terms of security in some places," Gomes said in explaining the extension.

UN electoral officials recently pulled out of the southern town of Same because Australian troops there are hunting a band of rebel soldiers led by renegade Maj. Alfredo Reinado Reinado was a leader in last year's factional fighting among the military and police, which

spilled into Dili's streets inviolence that killed at least 37 people and sent about 155,000 fleeing to refugee camps.

International soldiers largely restored peace, but gang battles still often break out in Dili.

Election officials hope to ensure the April 9 presidential election and parliamentary elections later in the year are fair, so they do not trigger more violence in this fledgling democracy that endured a bloody separation from Indonesia in 1999. (**)

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João Carrascalão para Presidente

http://joaocarrascalaoparapresidente.blogspot.com/index.html

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Journalists must not be candidate's mouthpiece

(TP, March 13, 2007) A senior journalist from Portugal's Public Radio and Television (RTP), Jose Alberto Sousa said journalists should not become mouthpieces for any presidential candidates during political campaigns.

He said journalists must be objective in their coverage of the whole election process. Sousa was speaking to journalists in a one-day seminar held at Hotel Timor Saturday (9/3).

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East Timor prepares for electoral tests Australian Broadcasting Corporation 12/03/2007

http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2007/s1869893.htm

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Pre-Election Tension in East Timor After Killings Jon Lamb Green Left Weekly New South Wales, Australia March 11, 2007

http://www.greenleft.org.au/2007/702/36451

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UNMIT Daily Media Review 10 - 12 March 2007

In Election, CNE will be in charge.

President of Conselu Nasional Elisoins (CNE) Faustino Cardozo reportedly said that CNE will be totally responsible for upcoming elections mainly in budget and tabulation areas. He revealed that from now on CNE will prepare to cooperate with overall institutions which deals with Media, UNMIT and Provedoria Direitus Humanus i Justisa (PDHJ). (STL)

Xanana calls for campaigns to be even-handed

The President of National Electoral Commission (CNE), Faustino Cardoso said President Xanana Gusmao has asked CNE to work hard and monitor presidential candidates to make sure that they did not exert improper pressure on voters or other candidates during their political campaigns.

Faustino said the President expected that a fair and democratic presidential election would take place. He was speaking to journalists Friday (9/3) after meeting Xanana at the Presidential Palace. (STL)

Monday, 12 March 2007

General elections will be conducted fairly and credibly: Atul Khare

The UN Secretary General's Special Representative in Timor Leste, Atul Khare said he believed the upcoming elections would be conducted fairly and credibly. Khare was speaking to journalists about the ongoing situation within the capital Dili, and the military operation against ex-Military Police Commander, Major Alfredo.

Khare said the deployment of international forces and UN police would be sufficient to respond to any kind of violence during the elections. He added hat he believed Timorese leaders would try to reconcile and that Timor was capable of resolving the situation with Alfredo. (DN)

500 new polling stations to be built for elections

A total of 504 new polling stations will be built throughout the country, for the April 9 presidential elections, Director of the Technical Secretariat for Electoral Administration (STAE), Tomas Cabral said at a launch ceremony, Friday (9/3) at the STAE offices. He added that STAE would announce the total number of polling centres which would be open to the public, three days before the election is held. STAE estimates that more than 510,000 people will vote in the elections, at more than 700 polling stations. More than 3,500 polling staff would work on the elections and more than 600,000 ballot papers would be distributed throughout the country. (DN)

Civil society and media must contribute to electoral process: CNE President

The President of the National Electoral Commission (CNE), Faustino Cardoso Gomes said the upcoming elections required the cooperation and contribution of both media and civil society. Speaking at a one-day seminar on media coverage of the elections, Faustino said the media play a very important role during elections, disseminating information and educating voters. The seminar was held Saturday (10/3) held at Hotel Timor. (RTL, March 12, 2007)

CNRT is important to the nation: Horta

Prime Minister, Jose Ramos Horta said establishment of the National Congress for Timorese Reconstruction (CNRT) party would be made in a few days. Horta said CNRT would be led by the current President, Xanana Gusmao. CNRT would be fully supported by Timorese veterans and would back Horta as a presidential candidate. He added that President Xanana might want to play a role in government or parliament. "If the President leaves his current post to sit in parliament and government, I do believe that this will be very important to the nation," said Horta. (STL)

UN provides transport for elections

The United Nations' Special Representative in Timor Leste, Atul Khare said the UN would provide transport and communication equipment for the upcoming elections. Khare was speaking to journalists Friday (9/3) at the National Electoral Commission (CNE) offices. Khare added that the UN mission in Timor Leste was going to cooperate with all Timorese institutions, in supporting both the presidential and legislative elections. The presidential election was scheduled to be held on April 9 and the legislative elections would be announced after the presidential elections. (STL)

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ASIA: Guards on wish list as 500,000 prepare for E Timor vote

AAP March 10, 2007Jill Jolliffe Dili March 9 Bodyguards are high on the wish list of some candidates campaigning to replace East Timor President Xanana Gusmao in a poll on April 9. With military operations against fugitive Alfredo Reinado continuing in the mountains and chronic violence simmering in the East Timorese capital, three of eight contenders have asked for close protection during campaigning.

"Anything can happen in our current situation," 70-year-old Xavier do Amaral said, "It's best to be prepared." He accepted a UN offer of a bodyguard, while two others, Lucia Lobato and Fernando de Araujo, reportedly asked Gusmao to provide protection from his own security staff. When Amaral stood against the ex-guerrilla commander in the last presidential poll in 2001, it was to ensure that more than one candidate stood in East Timor's first free election. No one else was willing.

By contrast, the 2007 poll promises to be closely fought between a range of politically experienced candidates. The choice reflects the high stakes after months of conflict during which the credibility of the formerly unchallenged government party Fretilin has been severely dented.

All candidates had completed legal requirements to stand by yesterday, with campaigning due to start in earnest.

Among those on the left is Fretilin veteran Francisco 'Lu-Olo' Guterres, who has served as parliamentary speaker since 2001 and will have the full weight of the historic "Party of Liberation" behind him. Experienced analysts see Fretilin as a party strong among rural voters for its 24 year record of resistance against Indonesian occupation.

Avelino Coelho da Silva of the Timorese Socialist Party (PST) is another sort of leftist. He is the closest to a Che Guevara East Timor can offer, and his firebrand oratory could attract younger voters.

Fernando de Araujo of the Democratic Party (PD) was a founder of the student resistance movement to Indonesia, and later the cellmate of Xanana Gusmao. His party was the most-voted opposition party in parliamentary elections six years ago, but trailing far behind Fretilin's 57.8 per cent. He is identified with the rebellion against the Fretilin government in western regions.

The only female candidate is Lucia Lobato, a young, articulate parliamentarian for the Social Democrat party, which polled closely behind the PD.

The internationally best-known candidate is prime minister and Nobel Peace laureate Jose Ramos Horta, an independent. He swapped the office of foreign minister for prime minister last June after the fall from grace of Fretilin premier Mari Alkatiri.

With Guterres and Lasama, he is a frontrunner, but the final result will depend on a trade-off of preferences and alliances if the contest goes to a second round.

Ramos Horta's brother-in-law Joao Carrascalao, founder of the conservative Democratic Timorese Party (UDT) is also standing, along with monarchist Manuel Tilman, a deputy from the KOTA party, which advocates the restoration of the power of traditional chiefs.

Amaral, Araujo, Lobato and Tilman, are of the Mambai ethnic group identified with Major Reinado's western revolt. They could siphon support from Fretilin's traditional voters in these districts, and benefit from the disaffected youth vote, but it promises to be a tightly fought battle.

The UN and East Timor's international donors are pulling out all the stops to ensure the election goes ahead smoothly despite its volatile backdrop.

According to Steven Wagensall, UN advisor to East Timor's independent National Electoral Commission, "Around 400,000 previous voters have been confirmed and we will have around 100,000 new cards-mainly of 17-year-olds voting for the first time, but also of people renewing cards lost or destroyed". He said advisers, communications and transport were being provided, along with generous technical support in all outlying districts.

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East Timor announces 8 candidates to stand in presidential election

By ROD McGUIRK Associated Press Writer DILI, East Timor, March 9 (AP) - East Timorese election authorities said Saturday that all eight candidates had been approved to contest this divided nation's presidential polls next month.

But an official warned of a potential for fresh violence during a three-day appeal period that ends Tuesday in which members of the public can challenge in the East Timorese Supreme Court any of the candidates' right to stand.

President Xanana Gusmao, long regarded as a uniting force in his fledgling democracy but who is himself coming under increasing public criticism, is stepping down after the April 9 poll that will choose the nation's second president since it broke away from Indonesia in 1999. His successor will be called on to steer the nation away from the brink of political and civil collapse.

The eight candidates who were nominated to replace him had all passed the Supreme Court registration test, government election official Tomas do Rosario Cabral said Saturday on the deadline for the announcement. The field includes Gusmao's sole opponent at the last poll in 2002, Francisco Xavier do Amaral, a founder of the dominant Fretilin Party.

The candidates also include Prime Minister Jose Ramos-Horta, a close Gusmao ally, as well as Fernando Lasama, a candidate despised by Fretilin and a supporter of fugitive military commander Alfredo Reinado.

Observers had feared the rejection of any candidate Saturday could have been a flash point for new violence. But the capital Dili, scarred by weeks of gang warfare, remanded relatively calm Saturday.

Martinho Gusmao, a Roman Catholic priest and member of the National Electoral Commission which oversees the election process, said security was at risk during the appeal period. Gusmao, who is not related to the president, said he was pleased that official presidential candidates were eligible for U.N. bodyguards. "A few days ago, three candidates came to the president and asked him for security guarantees," Martinho Gusmao said, adding that no state security was provided.

East Timor, one of the world's newest and poorest nations, was plunged into crisis a year ago when factional fighting broke out between police and army forces, leaving dozens dead and sending tens of thousands fleeing from their homes. The arrival of 2,700 foreign peacekeepers helped restore order, but tensions have flared in recent weeks, raising fears that presidential elections could be violent.

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UNMIT Daily Media Review 09 March 2007

Horta to Focus on Combating Poverty in His Candidacy for President

Presidential candidate, Jose Ramos Horta said yesterday that if he wins the April 9 presidential elections that he would make combating poverty in this tiny country as his priority. Horta said poverty was a big challenge faced by the Timorese people. "My priority is to combat poverty," said Horta. He said he would create a commission to study budget execution and work with government to reduce poverty within the country. Horta was nominated by the Timorese Democratic Union of Resistance (UNDERTIM) party, Millennium Democratic (PMD) party and Maubere youth organization last month to contest the presidential elections. (STL)

UNMIT to Provide Security for Presidential Candidates

The UN Secretary General's Special Representative (SRSG) in Timor Leste, Atul Khare, said UN police would provide security for the eight-presidential candidates for the April 9 presidential elections. Khare was speaking to journalists in a press conference held yesterday at Obrigado Barrack. He confirmed that he had sent a letter to the eight presidential candidates advising them that the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor Leste (UNMIT) would provide security for them during their political campaigns. (DN)

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UNMIT Daily Media Review 08 March 2007

Xavier, Lucia And Lasama Ask For Security Guards

Three presidential candidates Francisco Xavier do Amaral, Luucia Lobato and Fernando "Lasama" Araujo havve asked President Xanana Gusmão to provide security guards for them, due to the volatile security situation in the country. Xavier told the media following yesterday's meeting with President Gusmão at the Presidential Palace. The three candidates are concerned that they might be killed during the campaign. (DN)

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Internally Displaced People Ask To Provide Them Polling Centre

Coordinator of the internally displaced people at Colmera/Jardim camps, Leopoldo Pinto said yesterday that the internally displaced people, currently living in the camp have requested the Technical Secretariat for Electoral Administration (STAE) to put a polling centre near their camp in order for them to participate in the election process adding that the numbers of displaced people he is talking about is about 3, 776. (STL)

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Court of Appeal Announces Placing of Names

The placing of names on the voters' bulletin of the presidential candidates was drawn on Thursday afternoon at the Court of Appeal and the candidates' names should appear as follows:

1st - Francisco Guterres Lu-Olo

2nd - Avelino Coelho

3rd - Francisco Xavier do Amaral

4th - Manuel Tilman

5th - Lucia Lobato

6th - Jose Ramos-Horta

7th - João Carrascalão

8th - Fernando de Araujo Lasama

The President of the Court of Appeal, Claudio Ximenes, said the court has 10 days to verify the details of the candidates.

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NOBEL DA PAZ Ba PREZIDENTE José Ramos-Horta M E D I A R E L E A S E 06 March 2007 LEADERSHIP IN THE FACE OF ADVERSITY

The leadership qualities of Nobel Peace Laureate Dr José Ramos-Horta in the face of challenges to law and order in the capital Dili puts him in good stead to be elected President of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste. Dr Ramos-Horta has taken the lead to put an end to the climate of insecurity currently experienced, almost exclusively, in Dili.

Hundreds of messages supporting his stance against the criminal hooligans and of support for his candidacy, have been received. This support has been expressed in two opinion polls published in a Dili daily newspaper in the last few days, which puts Dr Ramos-Horta well ahead of the other seven candidates.

“I was particularly touched by the faith put in me by a young unemployed Timorese quoted in a dispatch of Timorese correspondent in Dili of the international news agency Agence France Press. “The news item said that “Mariano Soares, an unemployed youth in Dili, said the Nobel laureate was a strong candidate."Compared to the others Ramos-Horta is certainly superior. He is a public figure, an international figure, a democrat who has the spirit of development in him," Soares said.” The same report said that “many East Timorese think none of the other candidates in the poll can rival Ramos-Horta's domestic standing or international stature.”

Academic Damien Kingsbury, expert in East Timor and Indonesia, at Australia's Deakin University, told the news agency AKI that “the current prime minister will likely be the new president” and that he suspects that “Ramos-Horta probably has the lead over Lu-Olo (Guterres) from Fretilin, with Fernando de Araujo from PD (Democratic Party) running third." –

Dr Ramos-Horta said he has been pleased with the support shown so far, both in Timor-Leste and in the world for his candidacy.

The highly respected and influential international current affairs magazine, The Economist, in its U.S. Edition dated March 3, 2007, says that “the popularity of the Horta-Gusmão team may offer the best hope of stability.”

The Timorese people, from all walks of life, political parties, Churches, civil society, asked Dr Ramos-Horta to be a candidate.

“The Timorese people know me and I know them well and my loved country from end to end. And they know of my determination to deliver to them and to our country the fruits of the independence we fought so hard for – peace, security, prosperity, development and justice,” Dr Ramos-Horta said. “I’m one of eight candidates but at least, in the Presidential elections, unlike the Parliamentary elections, the Timorese people will know exactly wh0 the person they will be voting for, in whom they want to place their trust and guide them to a brighter future,” he said. Ends

For further information please contact: Dionísio Babo, PhD Spokesperson Tel: +670 7243952 nobel.da.paz.ba.prezidente@gmail.com

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Timor-Leste's dangerous election A looming election rattles nerves

The Economist March 3, 2007 U.S. Edition Dili CONFIRMING a long-running rumour, José Ramos Horta, Timor-Leste's prime minister, said on February 25th that he will stand in April's presidential elections. Mr Ramos Horta, who spent 25 years in exile, during which he won the Nobel peace prize, kicked off his campaign posing as a "son of the soil", in the village of Laga in the east of the country, where he spent his childhood.

His candidacy is backed by members of Timor-Leste's powerful Catholic church and a few political parties. But perhaps his most important backer is the still-popular Xanana Gusmão, the current president and former leader of the resistance to Indonesia's 24-year occupation of hat used to be East Timor, which ended in chaos in 1999. But Mr Ramos Horta's campaign will be scarred by his failure to fulfil the promise he made on taking office last year to sort out a mess in the armed forces. He came to power after an army mutiny had toppled the government of Mari Alkatiri, of the Fretilin party, and led the country to the brink of civil war.

Nine candidates have declared themselves for the presidential elections on April 9th, to be followed by the first parliamentary elections. Mr Gusmão is expected to launch a new party, challenging the powerful Fretilin, and has hinted that he himself aspires to Mr Ramos Horta's post. Such a job swap would allow a double-act that helped secure Timor-Leste's independence to shape its future.

But it will not be a smooth transition. The leader of last year's mutiny, Major Alfredo Reinado, escaped from jail last August along with 50 other prisoners. No attempt was made to arrest him again, and on February 26th he and his followers seized 25 high-calibre weapons from a police post on the border with Indonesian West Timor. Far from resisting, the post's commander joined him. The incident led Mr Ramos Horta to ask Indonesia to close its border to stop the mutineers crossing. He also asked the Australian army, which leads a peacekeeping mission, to hunt down the renegades, at present holed up in the mountain district of Same. Major Reinado enjoys popular support among people in the west of the country, as a defender of their rights, which they feel are overlooked by eastern leaders.

The run-up to the elections has already seen violence. Late last month, peacekeepers killed two men during protests in a camp for displaced people. Now the well-armed Major Reinado is boasting that he will not be captured alive.

If he wins the presidency Mr Ramos Horta will become the army's chief and so in theory better able to heal its divisions. But the split in the army mirrors an ethnic and regional distrust that has long run through Timorese society. It is one reason why Timor-Leste, hailed at independence in 2002 as a success for UN midwifery, has since unravelled into near anarchy. The popularity of the Horta-Gusmão team may offer the best hope of stability. But the immediate danger is that the election campaign will bring more violence.

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UNMIT Daily Media Review 1 March 2007

President of UDT Presents Candidacy

Joao Carrascalao, the President of UDT has launched his candidacy to the presidential election as an independent candidate. In his speech he said he is running in the presidential elections at the request of the people and not as his party candidate.

Xavier Amaral Announces Candidacy

Xavier do Amaral, of ASDT launched his presidential candidacy in Ulmera, Liquica District today accompanied by the party's Secretary General and former Falintil commander Samba Simbilan.

UNDP Allocated Budget for Presidential Elections

Tomas Cabral, STAE Director said UNDP has allocated US$5,000 dollar to support the each presidential candidates in their campaign. Funds from UNDP would also be used to establish a resource center in Dili and provide vehicles for the campaign in districts like Oecussi.

Candidates Registered

A total of 10 candidates are contesting the presidential elections, the Court of Appeal confirmed Wednesday evening. Candidates that have been registered are:

Francisco Guterres '˜Lu-Olo', (Fretilin)

Jose Ramos-Horta (Independent),

Fernando '˜Lasama' Araujo (PD),

Avelino Coelho (PST),

Lucia Lobato (PSD),

Joao Carrascalao (UDT/Independent)

Francisco Xavier do Amaral (ASDT) and

Manuel Tilman (KOTA).

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JRH campaign: Messages of Support NOBEL DA PAZ Ba PREZIDENTE José Ramos-Horta MEDIA RELEASE 28 February 2007 MESSAGES OF SUPPORT FOR RAMOS-HORTA CANDIDACY POUR IN

Following the public announcement in Laga on Sunday that he is a candidate to the Presidency of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, Nobel Peace Laureate Dr José Ramos-Horta received a large number of messages of congratulations and offers of support.

They poured in from all levels of Timor-Leste’s society from North, South, East and West, and from neighbouring Asian countries and the rest of the world.

I was touched by the level of trust placed in me by the most humble of my fellow Timorese, and the warm wishes from all corners of the nation.

I don’t know if I am worthy of the trust that the people have placed in me. But I ask God to guide me so that I don’t betray their trust. The only thing that I can promise with absolute certainty is that if I become President on April 9 is to continue my unbroken lifelong commitment to my people, to my country.

In the last few days I have received numerous expressions of congratulations, friendship and support from very the most disadvantaged members of our great people, and I do thank them wholeheartedly.

I know that I have the capacities and capabilities to assume the highest office in the land and what better role can one aspire to serve the people to ensure a bright future to Timor-Leste,” Dr Ramos-Horta said.

An indication of the widespread support for the Nobel Peace Laureate’s candidacy for President was the fact that 7164 of voting citizens from the 13 districts of Timor-Leste from all walks of life proposed Dr Ramos-Horta as a candidate, well above the minimum number of 5,000 required under the law.

As well, in accordance with clause 2 of Article 8 of Law No. 7/2006, Law on the election of the President of the Republic, Dr Ramos-Horta has also written to President Xanana Gusmão seeking “release from the exercise of his functions” as Prime Minister and Minister for Defence for the period of time spent in the electoral campaign, which lasts for 15 days and ends 2 days before the day scheduled for election. – ENDS.

For further information please contact: Dionísio Babo, PhD Spokesperson Tel: +670 7243952

FC Santos Tel: +670 7297099 Email: <mailto:santosfam@iprimus.com.au>santosfam@iprimus.com.au

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EAST TIMOR: PM LIKELY NEW PRESIDENT SAYS EXPERT

Dili, 28 Feb. (AKI) - The former prime minister Mari Alkatiri is out of the running, and the current prime minister will likely be the new president, thus swopping roles with Xanana Gusmao who could head the government. This musical-chairs post-election scenario is outlined for Adnkronos International (AKI) by Damien Kingsbury, expert in East Timor and Indonesia, at Australia's Deakin University. The presidential elections are being held in East Timor on 9 April with the parliamentary polls following shortly afterwards. The situation in the tiny state has deteriorated after a fugitive rebel leader escaped with weapons over the weekend.

Hundreds of East Timorese villagers fled into the mountains on Wednesday as Australian troops surrounded the southern hideout of the nation's most wanted man, Alfredo Reinado. It renewed its call for the fugitive rebel leader to surrender peacefully.

The renewed push to arrest Reinado comes amid a deteriorating security situation and growing anti-Australian sentiment in East Timor, following the death of two Timorese youths shot by Australian troops last Friday.

"It is really a three cornered contest for the presidency, but I suspect that Ramos-Horta probably has the lead over Lu-Olo (Guterres) from Fretilin, with Fernando de Araujo from PD (Democratic Party) running third."

Among other little known candidates for the presidential post are lawyer Lucia Lobato and opposition MP Joao Carrascalao.

The real fireworks though are expected in the parliamentary elections where, according to Kingsbury, the candidature of Gusmao will spell the political demise of Alkatiri.

Gusmao has formed a political party, the National Council of Timorese Resistance, (CNRTe) and said he will run. The party is effectively a return to the past because CNRT is the name of the alliance which won the vote for independence from Indonesia in the 1999 referendum.

Kingsbury said that CNRT has already attracted progressive voters who have abandoned Fretilin.

Led by Alkatiri, Fretilin is the majority party, having won 55 of the 88 seats in the 2001 parliamentary elections. Alkatiri was forced to resign as prime minister last June after criticism of his leadership when violent clashes and disorder erupted and led to the decision to deploy foreign troops in Dili to restore order.

"Fretilin has already begun to split between the 'Maputo group' led by Alkatiri, and the 'reformists'. Many reformists are deserting to support Gusmao's new party CNRT," Kingbury said.

The pro-Alkatiri faction is called Maputo because most of them were exiled in Mozambique during the long and bloody pro independence struggle in East Timor.

Kingsbury thinks it probable that in the end the CNRT and the Democratic Party will unite in a coalition, closing the door of parliament to Fretilin.

The PD has also formed a coalition with three other small parties, and could do well. The remaining parties will probably join the coalition after the parliamentary elections.

As for parliament, if the CNRT and PD-coalition join forces, Fretilin is probably out of government.

"Anyhow, I suspect that the Maputo group is out in any scenario - the question will be about how and whether Fretilin can re-form afterwards," he said. (Fsc/Aki) Feb-28-07 15:41

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Gusmao's new party shakes East Timor's political foundations

http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/gusmaos-new-party-shakes-east-timors-political-foundations/2007/02/16/1171405446826.html

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Timor-Leste: Certification of the Parliamentary and Presidential Elections (2007)

http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/oceania/TL/Timor%20LesteFinalReport1%282November2006%29.doc/view