http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601081&sid=a2GB3Q2CfBqM&refer=australia
By Aaron Sheldrick
April 19 (Bloomberg) -- The United Nations said it welcomed the results of voting in East Timor's first presidential election last week and offered support for a second round after no candidate achieved enough votes to win the poll outright.
Former guerrilla leader Francisco `Lu'Olo' Guterres of the ruling Fretilin Party won 28 percent of the vote and will run against Prime Minister Jose Ramos Horta, who received 22 percent. East Timor, also known as Timor Leste, declared independence in 2002 after 24 years of Indonesian occupation. The second round will be held on May 9.
The UN is ``particularly pleased that the first round of the election was completed without any serious incidents of violence and intimidation during the campaign,'' spokeswoman Michele Montas told reporters in New York yesterday.
A court will rule on disputed vote counting after candidates protested the results. The court has about 72 hours to review and decide the final result, Gusmao Martinho, spokesman for the Southeast Asian nation's electoral committee, said on April 16.
A revision won't affect preparations for the second round of voting because no candidate ``got anywhere near the 50 percent plus one required'' in the first round, Gusmao said.
The UN welcomed the fact ``that candidates have made full use of the appropriate legal channels to raise their concerns about the process,'' Montas said. ``These elections will have the benefit of considerable assistance from the international community, including through the United Nations.''
Facing Challenges
The new president will face the challenge of trying to reverse a contraction in the economy in 2006, cutting the country's 50 percent unemployment rate and improving conditions for East Timor's more than 1 million people, 42 percent of whom live below the poverty line.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon ``calls on the international community to continue providing assistance as Timor-Leste works to complete this year's electoral process and to address challenges related to the security sector, the rule of law, governance and development,'' Montas said.
The court may decide to hold ballots again in districts where inconsistencies were recorded, Gusmao said on April 13. Most of the candidates for president lodged protests with the committee alleging the election was unfair.
There won't be as full recount of votes, Gusmao said. ``There is no recommendation as such.''
More than 300,000 votes were recorded in the Bacau district, where only about 100,000 voters are registered, Gusmao said.
``It was a human error,'' he said. ``The polling staff put the wrong code in the box and we got a record of more votes than there were in that district.''
Candidates Complain
Fretilin members complained about election officials in rural districts accepting registration cards or photocopies of passports as identification, party spokesman Arsenio Bano said last week. The more than 522,000 registered voters had to present either a passport or official identity card issued by the committee in order to be allowed to vote.
Nobel peace prize winner Ramos Horta, who is running as an independent, said last week 30 percent of registered voters hadn't cast a ballot and demanded an investigation and recount.
Democratic Party candidate Fernando De Araujo came third with about 18 percent of the vote and protested to the committee about the balloting.
``I suspect a lot of manipulation,'' he said on April 11.
More than 2,000 observers monitored the election, including teams from the European Union, Australia and Japan. Australian Prime Minister John Howard said in Canberra last week he was concerned at reports of ``voter irregularities.''
Providing Security
UN police and members of an Australian-led peacekeeping force, which includes soldiers from New Zealand, provided security at the 504 polling stations and for candidates.
East Timor, which lies about 500 kilometers (310 miles) north of Australia, has been unstable since former Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri, a Fretilin member, fired a third of the army last May, a move that provoked clashes between people from the eastern and western regions, resulting in 37 deaths.
In the past year, fighting between factions of the security forces and gang violence drove 150,000 people from their homes. The Australian-led contingent has been stationed in Dili since shortly after the unrest began.
To contact the reporter on this story: Aaron Sheldrick in Tokyo at asheldrick@bloomberg.net .
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
East Timor elections: The unfinished coup rolls on
The Guardian 18 April, 2007 Peter Symon
http://www.cpa.org.au/garchve07/1315et.html
There is a wise saying that "What goes around comes around". It is certainly true of politics.
Mark Aarons has contributed an article in Murdoch’s Australian on the East Timorese elections which makes a swingeing attack on the East Timorese liberation organisation Fretilin and, in particular, on the former Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri.
Mr Aarons’ article simply repeats the allegations made for some time by the Australian media, including the ABC, and by Downer and Howard.
Mari Alkatiri is said to be "arrogant", "blind", was "inept", resorted to "dirty tricks" and so on. In a sentence, Mari Alkatiri was responsible for everything that went wrong or was claimed to have gone wrong, in the five short years since East Timor won its independence in a savage struggle against Indonesian occupation.
Aarons simply dismisses the claim that East Timor was (and still is) the victim of an Australian inspired and a US-backed coup. He asserts that Fretilin’s (and Alkatiri’s) response to last years’ disturbances was to claim that "it was the victim of malign and conspiratorial forces among the opposition, the church and the West who had engineered a coup against the democratically elected government".
Dancing with glee
Mark Aarons is obviously dancing with glee claiming that the current presidential election is a "devastating blow delivered to the ruling Fretilin party".
He comes down decisively on the side of the Australian Government’s favoured figure for President Jose Ramos-Horta and the leader of the so-called Democratic Party Fernando Araujo. Araujo has, ever since independence, done his best to disrupt the work of the Fretilin government.
What his article shows is that Mark Aarons is fully on the side of the most reactionary forces in Australian politics and is barracking for the success of Australia’s imperialist plans to turn East Timor into a colony once again with a government that will fulfil the neo-liberal economic, political and social policies called for by the Howard Government.
If the coup plotters get their way East Timor would be turned into a military and naval base as yet another step towards the ultimate objective of surrounding China and eventually bringing about "regime change" there too.
But all this escapes the writings of Mark Aarons — not because he does not know it. To include some of the very obvious facts in the present situation would be a disservice to those who today have no hesitation in using his name as a figure who may be able to push some of his readers into the arms of Australian imperialism and against the genuine progressive forces in East Timor.
Digression
A small digression into some not so ancient Australian communist history may not be out of place here.
Mark Aarons is the son of Laurie Aarons who was for a time the General Secretary of the former Communist Party of Australia. Another son is Brian Aarons. The family has one "achievement" to its credit for which the Australian ruling class will be forever grateful — they pushed the former CP off the rails and led some of the Party’s members into supporting the liquidation of that party in 1991. It raises a legitimate question: Was this part of the Aarons family ever communist?
The destruction of the CPA was done under the umbrella of forming a "broad left" party and such a party was launched in the early 1990s. It had a short life of a couple of years when it too disappeared off the face of Australia’s political scenery.
This is a policy that Mark Aarons would like to impose on East Timor — let all the disparate forces irrespective of the role they have and are playing into some "united" government. The result would be the watering down of the present policies of the Fretilin Government if not their replacement with the policies demanded by the Australian Government.
But back to East Timor …
The eventual outcome of the East Timor elections is by no means clear, but it is to be hoped that the East Timorese people will be able to retain the gains of the heroic struggle for independence and the gains starting to be made in the living standards of the East Timor people. It is only now that some significant income is flowing to the government from the rich oil resources in the Timor Sea. It was Alkatiri that negotiated the deal over the oil resources and stood up to the bullying of Alexander Downer in the process.
The East Timor Government also refused to accept loans with economic and political strings attached from the IMF and the World Bank. In what country have IMF and World Bank loans done anything more that intensify the poverty of millions of people?
Mark Aarons claims that the Alkatiri government "failed to deliver the basic needs of their people for education, health, jobs, roads, electricity and clean water". To demand solutions to all these needs in only five years, during which the government had to put up with constant disruption, is either crass ignorance or arrogance.
Oil resources
In any case the real truth is reflected in the budgets of the Fretilin government. Budget allocations for 2005-06 were US$89 million but as soon as oil revenues started to flow it was raised to US$315 million for 2006-07. Writing in the magazine Australian Socialist, Peter Murphy — also of the Search Foundation and a member of the former CPA — says that East Timor had "economic growth every year since the devastation of September 1999".
This development which would have led to the consolidation of the Fretilin government was a compelling reason for a coup. A progressive government on Australia’s doorstep is too much for the Australian government to tolerate.
On the elections Peter Murphy writes: "We are about to witness an intense effort to split and displace Fretilin as the country’s major political party."
The Fretilin government also took the unforgivable step of inviting Cuban doctors to work in East Timor (how many doctors has Australia sent?) and hundreds of East Timor students are now studying in Cuba’s medical schools.
Another unforgivable decision was East Timor’s application to join the Association of SE Asian nations (ASEAN) which suggests that it is looking to Asia as its future trading partner.
Last years’ disturbances created by the rampage and killings perpetrated by Alfredo Reinardo gave the Australian government the excuse they were looking for. Its response was to send in a large contingent of heavily armed military troops and police whom the Australian Government refuses to put under UN command.
Alfredo Reinardo, is a cowboy adventurer whose family lives in Australia. He was trained at Canberra’s military academy. The close liaison between Reinardo and the Australian authorities was demonstrated by the ease with which he (and about 50 of his supporters) just walked out of a Dili jail under the noses of the Australian authorities. Reinardo was awaiting trial for alleged murder.
The same working relationship was again shown when an Australian troop contingent staged an attempt to recapture Reinardo. It is no surprise that when the Australian troops arrived at his allegedly secret hideout he had slipped away.
Reinardo is once again being treated with silence by the Australian media — no doubt to come into the open again and stage more riots should Fretilin win the elections.
In the meantime the media and political onslaught directed against Fretilin will go on both inside East Timor and in Australia. As already mentioned, the Australian government will never tolerate a progressive government in the strategically placed and potentially oil-rich young state of East Timor.
http://www.cpa.org.au/garchve07/1315et.html
There is a wise saying that "What goes around comes around". It is certainly true of politics.
Mark Aarons has contributed an article in Murdoch’s Australian on the East Timorese elections which makes a swingeing attack on the East Timorese liberation organisation Fretilin and, in particular, on the former Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri.
Mr Aarons’ article simply repeats the allegations made for some time by the Australian media, including the ABC, and by Downer and Howard.
Mari Alkatiri is said to be "arrogant", "blind", was "inept", resorted to "dirty tricks" and so on. In a sentence, Mari Alkatiri was responsible for everything that went wrong or was claimed to have gone wrong, in the five short years since East Timor won its independence in a savage struggle against Indonesian occupation.
Aarons simply dismisses the claim that East Timor was (and still is) the victim of an Australian inspired and a US-backed coup. He asserts that Fretilin’s (and Alkatiri’s) response to last years’ disturbances was to claim that "it was the victim of malign and conspiratorial forces among the opposition, the church and the West who had engineered a coup against the democratically elected government".
Dancing with glee
Mark Aarons is obviously dancing with glee claiming that the current presidential election is a "devastating blow delivered to the ruling Fretilin party".
He comes down decisively on the side of the Australian Government’s favoured figure for President Jose Ramos-Horta and the leader of the so-called Democratic Party Fernando Araujo. Araujo has, ever since independence, done his best to disrupt the work of the Fretilin government.
What his article shows is that Mark Aarons is fully on the side of the most reactionary forces in Australian politics and is barracking for the success of Australia’s imperialist plans to turn East Timor into a colony once again with a government that will fulfil the neo-liberal economic, political and social policies called for by the Howard Government.
If the coup plotters get their way East Timor would be turned into a military and naval base as yet another step towards the ultimate objective of surrounding China and eventually bringing about "regime change" there too.
But all this escapes the writings of Mark Aarons — not because he does not know it. To include some of the very obvious facts in the present situation would be a disservice to those who today have no hesitation in using his name as a figure who may be able to push some of his readers into the arms of Australian imperialism and against the genuine progressive forces in East Timor.
Digression
A small digression into some not so ancient Australian communist history may not be out of place here.
Mark Aarons is the son of Laurie Aarons who was for a time the General Secretary of the former Communist Party of Australia. Another son is Brian Aarons. The family has one "achievement" to its credit for which the Australian ruling class will be forever grateful — they pushed the former CP off the rails and led some of the Party’s members into supporting the liquidation of that party in 1991. It raises a legitimate question: Was this part of the Aarons family ever communist?
The destruction of the CPA was done under the umbrella of forming a "broad left" party and such a party was launched in the early 1990s. It had a short life of a couple of years when it too disappeared off the face of Australia’s political scenery.
This is a policy that Mark Aarons would like to impose on East Timor — let all the disparate forces irrespective of the role they have and are playing into some "united" government. The result would be the watering down of the present policies of the Fretilin Government if not their replacement with the policies demanded by the Australian Government.
But back to East Timor …
The eventual outcome of the East Timor elections is by no means clear, but it is to be hoped that the East Timorese people will be able to retain the gains of the heroic struggle for independence and the gains starting to be made in the living standards of the East Timor people. It is only now that some significant income is flowing to the government from the rich oil resources in the Timor Sea. It was Alkatiri that negotiated the deal over the oil resources and stood up to the bullying of Alexander Downer in the process.
The East Timor Government also refused to accept loans with economic and political strings attached from the IMF and the World Bank. In what country have IMF and World Bank loans done anything more that intensify the poverty of millions of people?
Mark Aarons claims that the Alkatiri government "failed to deliver the basic needs of their people for education, health, jobs, roads, electricity and clean water". To demand solutions to all these needs in only five years, during which the government had to put up with constant disruption, is either crass ignorance or arrogance.
Oil resources
In any case the real truth is reflected in the budgets of the Fretilin government. Budget allocations for 2005-06 were US$89 million but as soon as oil revenues started to flow it was raised to US$315 million for 2006-07. Writing in the magazine Australian Socialist, Peter Murphy — also of the Search Foundation and a member of the former CPA — says that East Timor had "economic growth every year since the devastation of September 1999".
This development which would have led to the consolidation of the Fretilin government was a compelling reason for a coup. A progressive government on Australia’s doorstep is too much for the Australian government to tolerate.
On the elections Peter Murphy writes: "We are about to witness an intense effort to split and displace Fretilin as the country’s major political party."
The Fretilin government also took the unforgivable step of inviting Cuban doctors to work in East Timor (how many doctors has Australia sent?) and hundreds of East Timor students are now studying in Cuba’s medical schools.
Another unforgivable decision was East Timor’s application to join the Association of SE Asian nations (ASEAN) which suggests that it is looking to Asia as its future trading partner.
Last years’ disturbances created by the rampage and killings perpetrated by Alfredo Reinardo gave the Australian government the excuse they were looking for. Its response was to send in a large contingent of heavily armed military troops and police whom the Australian Government refuses to put under UN command.
Alfredo Reinardo, is a cowboy adventurer whose family lives in Australia. He was trained at Canberra’s military academy. The close liaison between Reinardo and the Australian authorities was demonstrated by the ease with which he (and about 50 of his supporters) just walked out of a Dili jail under the noses of the Australian authorities. Reinardo was awaiting trial for alleged murder.
The same working relationship was again shown when an Australian troop contingent staged an attempt to recapture Reinardo. It is no surprise that when the Australian troops arrived at his allegedly secret hideout he had slipped away.
Reinardo is once again being treated with silence by the Australian media — no doubt to come into the open again and stage more riots should Fretilin win the elections.
In the meantime the media and political onslaught directed against Fretilin will go on both inside East Timor and in Australia. As already mentioned, the Australian government will never tolerate a progressive government in the strategically placed and potentially oil-rich young state of East Timor.
Invitation to Press Conference on East Timor Elections
SOMET invites all interested in E Timor's 2007 Presidential Elections to a Press Conference in Dili to share the results of our Observation Mission focusing on recommendations for upcoming elections.
Source: SOMET
Apr 17, 2007 06:10:33
PRLog.Org) – Solidarity Observer Mission for East Timor (SOMET)
Invitation to Press Conference
Thursday, 19 April, 11.30 pm
Elections Media Center
At the Centro Nacional de Investigação Ciêntifica Old Campus
Nacional University of Timor-Leste (UNTL)
Caicoli (Next to UN Obrigado Barracks)
SOMET would like to invite all media and other stakeholders involved in the 2007 Presidential Elections to our Press Conference at the Election Media Center. We will share the results of our Observation Mission of the Elections focusing on recommendations for upcoming elections.
SOMET will present a detailed report on the electoral process in English and Tetum during that event.
The Solidarity Observer Mission for East Timor (SOMET) is a grassroots project of the U.S.-based East Timor and Indonesia Action Network (ETAN), Stichting Vrij Oost Timor (VOT) of the Netherlands, Initiative for International Dialogue (IID), Asia Pacific Solidarity Coalition (APSOC) and World Forum for Democratization in Asia (WFDA).
Contact:
Dili: Jill Sternberg or Catharina Maria,
+670-331-3324 or +670-734-2535 or +670-734-2397 email: etan-op@etan.org, somet@etan.org
International: John M. Miller, +1-718-596-7668; +1-917-690-4391; john@etan.org
Source: SOMET
Apr 17, 2007 06:10:33
PRLog.Org) – Solidarity Observer Mission for East Timor (SOMET)
Invitation to Press Conference
Thursday, 19 April, 11.30 pm
Elections Media Center
At the Centro Nacional de Investigação Ciêntifica Old Campus
Nacional University of Timor-Leste (UNTL)
Caicoli (Next to UN Obrigado Barracks)
SOMET would like to invite all media and other stakeholders involved in the 2007 Presidential Elections to our Press Conference at the Election Media Center. We will share the results of our Observation Mission of the Elections focusing on recommendations for upcoming elections.
SOMET will present a detailed report on the electoral process in English and Tetum during that event.
The Solidarity Observer Mission for East Timor (SOMET) is a grassroots project of the U.S.-based East Timor and Indonesia Action Network (ETAN), Stichting Vrij Oost Timor (VOT) of the Netherlands, Initiative for International Dialogue (IID), Asia Pacific Solidarity Coalition (APSOC) and World Forum for Democratization in Asia (WFDA).
Contact:
Dili: Jill Sternberg or Catharina Maria,
+670-331-3324 or +670-734-2535 or +670-734-2397 email: etan-op@etan.org, somet@etan.org
International: John M. Miller, +1-718-596-7668; +1-917-690-4391; john@etan.org
EAST TIMOR: UN LOOKS AHEAD TO NEXT ROUND OF ELECTION
http://www.adnki.com/index_2Level_English.php?cat=Politics&loid=8.0.406316019&par=
Dili, 19 April (AKI) - As it looked ahead to the second round of the presidential election, the United Nations has welcomed the preliminary results of the presidential poll in East Timor, now known as Timor-Leste, and praised the non-violent nature of the voting. "The two candidates who have obtained the highest number of votes will now contest a second round, on May 9. Again, these elections will have the benefit of considerable assistance from the international community, including through the United Nations," UN spokesperson Michele Montas told reporters in New York.
"The United Nations is particularly pleased that the first round of the election was completed without any serious incidents of violence and intimidation during the campaign, vote and the counting of ballots, and that candidates have made full use of the appropriate legal channels to raise their concerns about the process."
East Timor Prime Minister Jose Ramos-Horta and the country's parliament chief, Francisco Guterres, have been confirmed as the two candidates that will contest the presidential runoff.
Guterres, a former resistance fighter and also president of the ruling Fretilin party, got 28 percent of the vote, while Horta came second with 22 percent. The first round of the election was held on April 9.
The final results would now be certified by the Court of Appeals after consideration of any appeals that are lodged within the permissible 24-hour period.
Last Monday's poll was the first in Timor-Leste since it gained independence from Indonesia in 2002.
Indonesia invaded East Timor when Portugal pulled out in 1975. Lisbon had ruled the Southeast Asian country for centuries.
The presidential vote came after a year of political tension and social violence which has polarised a large part of the local population, led to a change of government, forced 150,000 Timorese to abandon their homes and killed about 50 people.
Dili, 19 April (AKI) - As it looked ahead to the second round of the presidential election, the United Nations has welcomed the preliminary results of the presidential poll in East Timor, now known as Timor-Leste, and praised the non-violent nature of the voting. "The two candidates who have obtained the highest number of votes will now contest a second round, on May 9. Again, these elections will have the benefit of considerable assistance from the international community, including through the United Nations," UN spokesperson Michele Montas told reporters in New York.
"The United Nations is particularly pleased that the first round of the election was completed without any serious incidents of violence and intimidation during the campaign, vote and the counting of ballots, and that candidates have made full use of the appropriate legal channels to raise their concerns about the process."
East Timor Prime Minister Jose Ramos-Horta and the country's parliament chief, Francisco Guterres, have been confirmed as the two candidates that will contest the presidential runoff.
Guterres, a former resistance fighter and also president of the ruling Fretilin party, got 28 percent of the vote, while Horta came second with 22 percent. The first round of the election was held on April 9.
The final results would now be certified by the Court of Appeals after consideration of any appeals that are lodged within the permissible 24-hour period.
Last Monday's poll was the first in Timor-Leste since it gained independence from Indonesia in 2002.
Indonesia invaded East Timor when Portugal pulled out in 1975. Lisbon had ruled the Southeast Asian country for centuries.
The presidential vote came after a year of political tension and social violence which has polarised a large part of the local population, led to a change of government, forced 150,000 Timorese to abandon their homes and killed about 50 people.
EAST TIMOR: DOUBTS OVER VALIDITY OF VOTE
http://www.adnki.com/index_2Level_English.php?cat=Politics&loid=8.0.405000924&par=0
Dili, 16 April (AKI) - The uncertainty continues following the elections in East Timor where the Election Commission has said that "technical error" caused the difference of 200,000 votes counted in the province of Baucau. Situated in the eastern part of the Souteast Asian nation, Baucau has only 100,000 registered voters but the officials have counted 300,000 votes.
It is still unclear if the 200,000 ghost votes would be included in the final "unofficial" results of the presidential elections im which the candidate with the largest number of votes is the Fretilin Party's, Francisco "Lu Olo" Guterres, followed by current prime minister, Jose Ramos Horta.
If confirmed, the two candidates will face each other in a run-off scheduled for 8 May. The official result of the first round of voting will be confirmed on Wednesday.
East Timor's presidential elections come after a year of political tension and social violence which has polarised a large part of the local population, led to a change of government, forced 150,000 Timorese to abandon their homes and killed about 50 people.
The electoral uncertainty and charges of irregularity is expected to worsen the situation. Maintaining the law and order within the country are international troops which have been based in the country since last year following the clashes.
Dili, 16 April (AKI) - The uncertainty continues following the elections in East Timor where the Election Commission has said that "technical error" caused the difference of 200,000 votes counted in the province of Baucau. Situated in the eastern part of the Souteast Asian nation, Baucau has only 100,000 registered voters but the officials have counted 300,000 votes.
It is still unclear if the 200,000 ghost votes would be included in the final "unofficial" results of the presidential elections im which the candidate with the largest number of votes is the Fretilin Party's, Francisco "Lu Olo" Guterres, followed by current prime minister, Jose Ramos Horta.
If confirmed, the two candidates will face each other in a run-off scheduled for 8 May. The official result of the first round of voting will be confirmed on Wednesday.
East Timor's presidential elections come after a year of political tension and social violence which has polarised a large part of the local population, led to a change of government, forced 150,000 Timorese to abandon their homes and killed about 50 people.
The electoral uncertainty and charges of irregularity is expected to worsen the situation. Maintaining the law and order within the country are international troops which have been based in the country since last year following the clashes.
UN criticised for inaction in East Timor election
Lindsay Murdoch in Dili
April 13, 2007
http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/un-criticised-for-inaction-in-east-timor-election/2007/04/12/1175971265449.html
EAST TIMOR'S Prime Minister, Jose Ramos-Horta, has lashed out at the United Nations for its "inaction" in presidential elections where all eight candidates are alleging intimidation and irregularities and up to 150,000 registered voters apparently failed to cast ballots.
Mr Ramos-Horta called on the UN to expand its role in the country before a run-off election next month between himself and Francisco "Lu-Olo" Guterres, of the ruling Fretilin party.
Fretilin's powerful secretary-general, Mari Alkatiri, also called for greater UN security to protect voters. "Fretilin has no fear of the United Nations playing a greater role," he said.
Mr Ramos-Horta said in Dili that even though he won enough votes to contest the run-off he could not remain silent about the conduct of the election. "What is most disconcerting, upsetting, is that common people - barefoot, illiterate, poor people - who put trust in the democratic process have been let down," he said.
Mr Ramos-Horta said the UN mission in East Timor, which includes scores of election experts and 1600 international police, ignored his repeated requests to remove Timorese police who had been accused in the past of intimidating voters.
A UN spokeswoman, Allison Cooper, said that as East Timorese authorities were responsible for the election, any complaints should be raised with them. Mr Ramos Horta also called on Australia and other neighbouring countries to send election-monitoring teams to the country for weeks before and after the run-off vote on May 8 and parliamentary elections on June 30.
The Australia Government's seven-member observer group declared the election a success from what it saw after only spending election day monitoring polling centres east of Dili, the capital.
All eight candidates have complained about the conduct of the election, the first run by East Timor since independence in 2002. The complaints include that ballot boxes brought to Dili had been opened illegally.
Mr Alkatiri told reporters that Fretilin was disappointed with Mr Guterres's failure to win a 51 per cent majority, which would have prevented a run-off.
He said that Mr Guterres was looking forward to standing against Mr Ramos-Horta "one on one". "Ramos-Horta says he is the one who is going to win but you can see he is starting to shake," he said.
April 13, 2007
http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/un-criticised-for-inaction-in-east-timor-election/2007/04/12/1175971265449.html
EAST TIMOR'S Prime Minister, Jose Ramos-Horta, has lashed out at the United Nations for its "inaction" in presidential elections where all eight candidates are alleging intimidation and irregularities and up to 150,000 registered voters apparently failed to cast ballots.
Mr Ramos-Horta called on the UN to expand its role in the country before a run-off election next month between himself and Francisco "Lu-Olo" Guterres, of the ruling Fretilin party.
Fretilin's powerful secretary-general, Mari Alkatiri, also called for greater UN security to protect voters. "Fretilin has no fear of the United Nations playing a greater role," he said.
Mr Ramos-Horta said in Dili that even though he won enough votes to contest the run-off he could not remain silent about the conduct of the election. "What is most disconcerting, upsetting, is that common people - barefoot, illiterate, poor people - who put trust in the democratic process have been let down," he said.
Mr Ramos-Horta said the UN mission in East Timor, which includes scores of election experts and 1600 international police, ignored his repeated requests to remove Timorese police who had been accused in the past of intimidating voters.
A UN spokeswoman, Allison Cooper, said that as East Timorese authorities were responsible for the election, any complaints should be raised with them. Mr Ramos Horta also called on Australia and other neighbouring countries to send election-monitoring teams to the country for weeks before and after the run-off vote on May 8 and parliamentary elections on June 30.
The Australia Government's seven-member observer group declared the election a success from what it saw after only spending election day monitoring polling centres east of Dili, the capital.
All eight candidates have complained about the conduct of the election, the first run by East Timor since independence in 2002. The complaints include that ballot boxes brought to Dili had been opened illegally.
Mr Alkatiri told reporters that Fretilin was disappointed with Mr Guterres's failure to win a 51 per cent majority, which would have prevented a run-off.
He said that Mr Guterres was looking forward to standing against Mr Ramos-Horta "one on one". "Ramos-Horta says he is the one who is going to win but you can see he is starting to shake," he said.
Voters intimidated in E. Timor: rights group
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticleNew.asp?xfile=data/theworld/2007/April/theworld_April292.xml§ion=theworld&col=
(AFP)12 April 2007
DILI - An East Timor human rights group said on Thursday it had received reports that supporters of the troubled nation’s ruling party had intimidated voters ahead the country’s presidential election.
“We have reports from the districts and we noted an increase of violence from Fretilin members,” said Jose Luis de Oliveira, of the human rights group Yayasan HAK.
Fretilin, the ruling party in East Timor, has previously been accused of intimidatory tactics and a lack of openness.
Its candidate, Francisco Guterres, will contest a May 8 presidential runoff with Jose Ramos-Horta, East Timor’s prime minister, after a closely fought first round on Monday between eight candidates ended in stalemate.
There were reports of increased violence in Viqueque, Baucau and Ermeira districts, de Oliveira said.
“In Ermeira, on the last day of the campaign, Fretilin members beat a Catholic priest and one journalist,” he said.
The reports received by Yayasan HAK indicated intimidatory door-to-door campaigning by Fretilin, he said.
“They noted the identity numbers of people and said if you don’t choose Fretilin, your number will show on the computer. Even if that’s not true, people are afraid.”
But Fretilin spokesman Filomeno Aleixo took issue with the claim of intimidation.
“Fretilin never encourages our people to use violence,” he said. ”In fact people were intimidated not to vote for our candidate.”
“We have been targeted too,” Aleixo said.
International observers have said the election was generally open, orderly and peaceful despite fears that the former Portuguese colony’s violent history heralded poll unrest.
But de Oliveira said while election day may have gone well, international observers lacked a proper understanding of the situation in East Timor.
“They cannot see or feel what’s happening,” he said, adding there could bemore intimidation ahead of the runoff vote.
Monday’s poll was the first presidential election in East Timor since its independence in 2002, but has been clouded by growing calls for a recount and allegations its was conducted unfairly.
Indonesian occupation of East Timor ended in 1999 with a bloody split, and violence has pulsed through the impoverished state since then. International peacekeepers were dispatched last year to restore order.
(AFP)12 April 2007
DILI - An East Timor human rights group said on Thursday it had received reports that supporters of the troubled nation’s ruling party had intimidated voters ahead the country’s presidential election.
“We have reports from the districts and we noted an increase of violence from Fretilin members,” said Jose Luis de Oliveira, of the human rights group Yayasan HAK.
Fretilin, the ruling party in East Timor, has previously been accused of intimidatory tactics and a lack of openness.
Its candidate, Francisco Guterres, will contest a May 8 presidential runoff with Jose Ramos-Horta, East Timor’s prime minister, after a closely fought first round on Monday between eight candidates ended in stalemate.
There were reports of increased violence in Viqueque, Baucau and Ermeira districts, de Oliveira said.
“In Ermeira, on the last day of the campaign, Fretilin members beat a Catholic priest and one journalist,” he said.
The reports received by Yayasan HAK indicated intimidatory door-to-door campaigning by Fretilin, he said.
“They noted the identity numbers of people and said if you don’t choose Fretilin, your number will show on the computer. Even if that’s not true, people are afraid.”
But Fretilin spokesman Filomeno Aleixo took issue with the claim of intimidation.
“Fretilin never encourages our people to use violence,” he said. ”In fact people were intimidated not to vote for our candidate.”
“We have been targeted too,” Aleixo said.
International observers have said the election was generally open, orderly and peaceful despite fears that the former Portuguese colony’s violent history heralded poll unrest.
But de Oliveira said while election day may have gone well, international observers lacked a proper understanding of the situation in East Timor.
“They cannot see or feel what’s happening,” he said, adding there could bemore intimidation ahead of the runoff vote.
Monday’s poll was the first presidential election in East Timor since its independence in 2002, but has been clouded by growing calls for a recount and allegations its was conducted unfairly.
Indonesian occupation of East Timor ended in 1999 with a bloody split, and violence has pulsed through the impoverished state since then. International peacekeepers were dispatched last year to restore order.
NZ Troops may have to stay after the Timor Elections
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/latest/200704071447/nz_troops_may_have_to_stay_after_timor_elections
Posted at 2:47pm on 07 Apr 2007
The Government has indicated New Zealand troops may have to stay in East Timor for some time, after renewed violence ahead of presidential elections on Monday.
At least 32 people have been injured in recent days in clashes between supporters of the eight presidential candidates. Monday's poll will be the first since East Timor gained independence five years ago.
The latest violence has heightened fears the impoverished country of one million people, whose secession from Indonesian rule in 1999 triggered widespread violence by pro-Jakarta militias, could again descend into chaos.
Four of the candidates have warned of the likelihood of further clashes during voting. They have issued a joint statement saying there have been numerous attempts to manipulate the electoral process and they want the United Nations to guarantee security on Monday.
New Zealand soldiers were sent to Dili in 1999 and were forced to return following violence last May.
There are now 150 New Zealand soldiers in East Timor. But with the renewed violence this week, Prime Minister Helen Clark and the Minister of Defence, Phil Goff, say the troops might have to stay on.
UN and Australian-led soldiers have stepped up security to quell any violence before and after the poll.
Call for calm
Religious and political leaders appealed for calm on Good Friday. President Xanana Gusmao, Prime Minister Jose Ramos Horta and the Bishop of Dili, Alberto Ricardo, urged citizens to reject violence and accept the result of the poll, whatever the outcome.
Mr Ramos Horta - who is seeking to switch jobs and is a frontrunner among candidates vying to replace Mr Gusmao - earlier said he would ask Australia's troops and the UN to remain in East Timor for years if he wins the presidential vote.
UN hopes for fair election
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called on all parties in East Timor to make the presidential election a free and fair one.
"I hope the elections will be free, fair, transparent and credible. I hope they will be unmarred by violence and intimidation, and I hope they will lead to results accepted by all," Mr Ban said in a message broadcast on local radio.
"The eyes of the world are upon you. I call on all candidates and their supporters to accept the results in a peaceful manner."
Posted at 2:47pm on 07 Apr 2007
The Government has indicated New Zealand troops may have to stay in East Timor for some time, after renewed violence ahead of presidential elections on Monday.
At least 32 people have been injured in recent days in clashes between supporters of the eight presidential candidates. Monday's poll will be the first since East Timor gained independence five years ago.
The latest violence has heightened fears the impoverished country of one million people, whose secession from Indonesian rule in 1999 triggered widespread violence by pro-Jakarta militias, could again descend into chaos.
Four of the candidates have warned of the likelihood of further clashes during voting. They have issued a joint statement saying there have been numerous attempts to manipulate the electoral process and they want the United Nations to guarantee security on Monday.
New Zealand soldiers were sent to Dili in 1999 and were forced to return following violence last May.
There are now 150 New Zealand soldiers in East Timor. But with the renewed violence this week, Prime Minister Helen Clark and the Minister of Defence, Phil Goff, say the troops might have to stay on.
UN and Australian-led soldiers have stepped up security to quell any violence before and after the poll.
Call for calm
Religious and political leaders appealed for calm on Good Friday. President Xanana Gusmao, Prime Minister Jose Ramos Horta and the Bishop of Dili, Alberto Ricardo, urged citizens to reject violence and accept the result of the poll, whatever the outcome.
Mr Ramos Horta - who is seeking to switch jobs and is a frontrunner among candidates vying to replace Mr Gusmao - earlier said he would ask Australia's troops and the UN to remain in East Timor for years if he wins the presidential vote.
UN hopes for fair election
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called on all parties in East Timor to make the presidential election a free and fair one.
"I hope the elections will be free, fair, transparent and credible. I hope they will be unmarred by violence and intimidation, and I hope they will lead to results accepted by all," Mr Ban said in a message broadcast on local radio.
"The eyes of the world are upon you. I call on all candidates and their supporters to accept the results in a peaceful manner."
East Timor elections: free, fair and transparent
http://www.crikey.com.au/Politics/20070411-east-timor.html
Date: Wednesday, 11 April 2007
Associate Professor Damien Kingsbury of Deakin University, currently acting as coordinator of the Victorian Local Governance Association observer team to the East Timor elections, writes:
As now widely reported, East Timor's presidential election on Monday went off peacefully and largely successfully, with a provisional result likely soon.
With eight candidates contesting the presidency, it had been expected that current Prime Minister, Jose Ramos-Horta, would win over governing Fretilin's parliamentary Speaker Francisco 'Lu-Olo' Guterres. But with Fretilin rallies pulling big crowds ahead of the ballot, and Ramos-Horta's rallies looking under-attended, the race appeared opened up.
Despite these ominous signals, Ramos-Horta is now looking like the front-runner while Lu-Olo was battling to maintain second position. Fretilin will breathe a sigh of relief if Lu-Olo can just manage to scrape into a second round of voting based on no candidate receiving an absolute majority.
This would take a small amount out of the sting that appears coming with Fretilin's popular rejection. Even some of Fretilin's membership has deserted its ranks, at least until this electoral cycle is over and they can deliver a coup de grace to the party's seemingly wounded leadership.
The ballot itself is largely symbolic, as the presidency is mostly ceremonial. What it points to, however, is voter intentions for the coming parliamentary elections, where power really lies. In this, a 'government of national unity' under current President Xanana Gusmao as the next prime minister is looking most likely.
But even more importantly, a voter turn-out that now appears to be in excess of 90% in challenging conditions (many roads were all but impassable) has shown a continuing popular embrace of democracy.
Despite pre-ballot disturbances, some low-level intimidation and numerous reports of vote-buying, the result appears confirm that the people voted according to their genuine preferences. Across the towns and villages, voters arrived before 7 am in their finest clothes, often having traveled arduous distances, eager to help shape their own future.
There were minor logistical problems with the vote, and no party was entirely innocent before it. But the process was overwhelmingly free, fair and transparent, and the outcome should be regarded as legitimate.
The question now is whether this outcome -- a new president and soon a new parliament -- can deliver on the expectations the people of East Timor will place in them.
Date: Wednesday, 11 April 2007
Associate Professor Damien Kingsbury of Deakin University, currently acting as coordinator of the Victorian Local Governance Association observer team to the East Timor elections, writes:
As now widely reported, East Timor's presidential election on Monday went off peacefully and largely successfully, with a provisional result likely soon.
With eight candidates contesting the presidency, it had been expected that current Prime Minister, Jose Ramos-Horta, would win over governing Fretilin's parliamentary Speaker Francisco 'Lu-Olo' Guterres. But with Fretilin rallies pulling big crowds ahead of the ballot, and Ramos-Horta's rallies looking under-attended, the race appeared opened up.
Despite these ominous signals, Ramos-Horta is now looking like the front-runner while Lu-Olo was battling to maintain second position. Fretilin will breathe a sigh of relief if Lu-Olo can just manage to scrape into a second round of voting based on no candidate receiving an absolute majority.
This would take a small amount out of the sting that appears coming with Fretilin's popular rejection. Even some of Fretilin's membership has deserted its ranks, at least until this electoral cycle is over and they can deliver a coup de grace to the party's seemingly wounded leadership.
The ballot itself is largely symbolic, as the presidency is mostly ceremonial. What it points to, however, is voter intentions for the coming parliamentary elections, where power really lies. In this, a 'government of national unity' under current President Xanana Gusmao as the next prime minister is looking most likely.
But even more importantly, a voter turn-out that now appears to be in excess of 90% in challenging conditions (many roads were all but impassable) has shown a continuing popular embrace of democracy.
Despite pre-ballot disturbances, some low-level intimidation and numerous reports of vote-buying, the result appears confirm that the people voted according to their genuine preferences. Across the towns and villages, voters arrived before 7 am in their finest clothes, often having traveled arduous distances, eager to help shape their own future.
There were minor logistical problems with the vote, and no party was entirely innocent before it. But the process was overwhelmingly free, fair and transparent, and the outcome should be regarded as legitimate.
The question now is whether this outcome -- a new president and soon a new parliament -- can deliver on the expectations the people of East Timor will place in them.
EU Hails East Timor's First Presidential Elections
http://www.redbolivia.com/noticias/News%20in%20English/48180.html
VOA Abril 11, 2007, 10:57 EDT
The head of the European Union Election Observation Mission in East Timor, Javier Pomes Ruiz, says the 34 members of his delegation declared Monday's elections free and fair. He praised the East Timorese for holding a peaceful election.
"We would like to congratulate the Timorese people for this peaceful participation in this first national elections since independence," he said. "Our observers were struck by the voters enthusiasm and passions as they turned out in large numbers to vote."
East Timor has been struggling to overcome deep divisions within the country after they erupted into violence a year ago. It was sparked by the government's handling of a military mutiny - which led to all out chaos and gang street fighting. The government requested international help from an Australian-led peacekeeping force - which has restored order for the most part.
With the apparent success of the election process, Australia announced Wednesday it would be scaling back its troop presence in the next few months.
The official vote tally for the presidential elections will be announced on April 19 if there are no legal appeals.
Election officials Wednesday said none of the eight presidential candidates won with an outright majority. The top vote getters are Fernando "Lu-Olo" Guterres of the dominant Fretilin Party, the current prime minister and Nobel laureate, Jose Ramos Horta, and Fernando de Araujo of the opposition Democratic Party.
Two of the men are expected to face each in a run-off vote. National Election Committee spokesman, Father Martinho Gusmao, says that second round of elections will be held on May 8.
Former independence fighter and outgoing president, Xanana Gusmao, says he is stepping down to run for the more powerful position of prime minister in parliamentary elections tentatively scheduled for June.
In 1999, East Timor voted for independence from Indonesian after 24 years of brutal rule.
The U.N.-sponsored vote was marked by widespread violence by pro-Jakarta militias. It killed more than 1,000 people, displaced hundreds of thousands and destroyed much of the country.
An international peacekeeping force was sent to restore order and the tiny country remained under United Nations supervision until 2002 when it achieved full independence.
Observers say peaceful presidential elections followed by peaceful parliamentary elections will lead the country to stability.
VOA Abril 11, 2007, 10:57 EDT
The head of the European Union Election Observation Mission in East Timor, Javier Pomes Ruiz, says the 34 members of his delegation declared Monday's elections free and fair. He praised the East Timorese for holding a peaceful election.
"We would like to congratulate the Timorese people for this peaceful participation in this first national elections since independence," he said. "Our observers were struck by the voters enthusiasm and passions as they turned out in large numbers to vote."
East Timor has been struggling to overcome deep divisions within the country after they erupted into violence a year ago. It was sparked by the government's handling of a military mutiny - which led to all out chaos and gang street fighting. The government requested international help from an Australian-led peacekeeping force - which has restored order for the most part.
With the apparent success of the election process, Australia announced Wednesday it would be scaling back its troop presence in the next few months.
The official vote tally for the presidential elections will be announced on April 19 if there are no legal appeals.
Election officials Wednesday said none of the eight presidential candidates won with an outright majority. The top vote getters are Fernando "Lu-Olo" Guterres of the dominant Fretilin Party, the current prime minister and Nobel laureate, Jose Ramos Horta, and Fernando de Araujo of the opposition Democratic Party.
Two of the men are expected to face each in a run-off vote. National Election Committee spokesman, Father Martinho Gusmao, says that second round of elections will be held on May 8.
Former independence fighter and outgoing president, Xanana Gusmao, says he is stepping down to run for the more powerful position of prime minister in parliamentary elections tentatively scheduled for June.
In 1999, East Timor voted for independence from Indonesian after 24 years of brutal rule.
The U.N.-sponsored vote was marked by widespread violence by pro-Jakarta militias. It killed more than 1,000 people, displaced hundreds of thousands and destroyed much of the country.
An international peacekeeping force was sent to restore order and the tiny country remained under United Nations supervision until 2002 when it achieved full independence.
Observers say peaceful presidential elections followed by peaceful parliamentary elections will lead the country to stability.
Sunday, April 8, 2007
Rudd says troops facing dangers but must stay on ground
Rudd says troops facing dangers but must stay on ground
http://www.bordermail.com.au/news/bm/national/734473.html
AUSTRALIAN troops are under enormous pressure during the East Timorese elections and will remain in danger as the ballots are counted, says Labor leader Kevin Rudd.
However, Mr Rudd said it was important troops remained on the ground until security was assured.
“This is going to be a very difficult test for the fragile East Timorese democracy,” Mr Rudd said yesterday.
“We’re going to have to ensure that Australian troops remain on the ground in East Timor for some considerable time to come.”
Mr Rudd said Australia must not repeat the mistake it made in June, 2005, when it withdrew troops from East Timor following a six-year peacekeeping mission.
The Government was forced to send troops back in April last year after a wave of rioting that followed the sacking of almost 600 East Timorese soldiers for deserting their barracks.
Five people were killed and 20,000 fled their homes.
“The Government pulled our troops out of East Timor too early last time,” Mr Rudd said.
“That’s why we had problems and insecurity last year.
“We should not do that again.”
Mr Rudd said Australia’s thoughts and prayers should be with its troops in the tiny fledgling nation.
“It’s not just in the lead-up to a ballot, it’s when a ballot’s been held and people are disappointed, some of them, about the result, that there is a real risk of violence,” Mr Rudd said.
http://www.bordermail.com.au/news/bm/national/734473.html
AUSTRALIAN troops are under enormous pressure during the East Timorese elections and will remain in danger as the ballots are counted, says Labor leader Kevin Rudd.
However, Mr Rudd said it was important troops remained on the ground until security was assured.
“This is going to be a very difficult test for the fragile East Timorese democracy,” Mr Rudd said yesterday.
“We’re going to have to ensure that Australian troops remain on the ground in East Timor for some considerable time to come.”
Mr Rudd said Australia must not repeat the mistake it made in June, 2005, when it withdrew troops from East Timor following a six-year peacekeeping mission.
The Government was forced to send troops back in April last year after a wave of rioting that followed the sacking of almost 600 East Timorese soldiers for deserting their barracks.
Five people were killed and 20,000 fled their homes.
“The Government pulled our troops out of East Timor too early last time,” Mr Rudd said.
“That’s why we had problems and insecurity last year.
“We should not do that again.”
Mr Rudd said Australia’s thoughts and prayers should be with its troops in the tiny fledgling nation.
“It’s not just in the lead-up to a ballot, it’s when a ballot’s been held and people are disappointed, some of them, about the result, that there is a real risk of violence,” Mr Rudd said.
Fretilin accused of fraud in East Timor poll
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200704/s1894876.htm
By Anne Barker
Candidates in East Timor's presidential election have complained of serious fraud in the ballot and are demanding a recount.
They are threatening to mount a court challenge if the complaint is ignored.
Five of the eight candidates have written a letter to the national electoral commission in Dili alleging serious irregularities in vote counting and intimidation of voters.
They have accused the ruling Fretilin Party of instilling a climate of terror and allege the number of ballots does not match the number of voters on election day.
The five candidates are demanding that all counting stop immediately, all ballot boxes be brought to one location in Dili and a recount begin in the presence of all candidates.
Fretilin has denied any dirty tricks during the campaign.
The official count so far puts three candidates neck and neck - Jose Ramos Horta, Fretilin's Francisco Gueterres, or Lu Olo, and the Democratic Party leader Fernando de Arauge.
Dr Ramos Horta, who is East Timor's Prime Minister, is among those calling for a recount.
But he says if he loses he will not challenge the result.
"If I don't appear in top two I will celebrate my electoral demise," he said.
"I will not spend energy and time challenging anyone."
The latest official counting confirms Lu Olo has a clear lead over Dr Ramos Horta.
Figures from the Nation Electoral Commission show Lu Olo has nearly 29 per cent of the national vote, with Dr Ramos Horta coming second on 22 per cent.
The commission says so far the votes have been counted only at the district level and will be counted again to confirm the national result.
If the result is accurate, there will be a run-off election between the two lead candidates in May.
By Anne Barker
Candidates in East Timor's presidential election have complained of serious fraud in the ballot and are demanding a recount.
They are threatening to mount a court challenge if the complaint is ignored.
Five of the eight candidates have written a letter to the national electoral commission in Dili alleging serious irregularities in vote counting and intimidation of voters.
They have accused the ruling Fretilin Party of instilling a climate of terror and allege the number of ballots does not match the number of voters on election day.
The five candidates are demanding that all counting stop immediately, all ballot boxes be brought to one location in Dili and a recount begin in the presence of all candidates.
Fretilin has denied any dirty tricks during the campaign.
The official count so far puts three candidates neck and neck - Jose Ramos Horta, Fretilin's Francisco Gueterres, or Lu Olo, and the Democratic Party leader Fernando de Arauge.
Dr Ramos Horta, who is East Timor's Prime Minister, is among those calling for a recount.
But he says if he loses he will not challenge the result.
"If I don't appear in top two I will celebrate my electoral demise," he said.
"I will not spend energy and time challenging anyone."
The latest official counting confirms Lu Olo has a clear lead over Dr Ramos Horta.
Figures from the Nation Electoral Commission show Lu Olo has nearly 29 per cent of the national vote, with Dr Ramos Horta coming second on 22 per cent.
The commission says so far the votes have been counted only at the district level and will be counted again to confirm the national result.
If the result is accurate, there will be a run-off election between the two lead candidates in May.
New candidate takes lead in East Timor presidential race
http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2007/s1894515.htm
The World Today - Wednesday, 11 April , 2007 12:37:00
Reporter: Anne Barker
ELEANOR HALL: Let's go now to Dili, where East Timor's electoral commission has just released the latest figures on the presidential poll.
There've been conflicting reports about which candidate is in the lead in East Timor's first presidential election since independence, with the commission yesterday indicating that the ruling Fretilin candidate would not even make it into the second round of voting.
But today, with around 70 per cent of the vote counted, Fretilin's candidate, Francisco Guterres or Lu Olo, has taken the lead.
Correspondent Anne Barker is in Dili, and she joins us from there now.
So, Anne, what is the latest today from East Timor's electoral commission?
ANNE BARKER: Well, Eleanor, the figures are very interesting. If you talk to the National Electoral Commission, which is the official sort of body doing the count, the three top candidates, Francisco Guterres or Lu Olo, and Jose Ramos-Horta and Fernando de Araujo, the leader of the Democratic Party are neck and neck on about 21 per cent or varying degrees within, between 21 and 22 per cent.
But interestingly, their figures match figures that have come from an electoral observer group, and they're not official. But the only centres they don't have votes for are the Baucau and Lautem, two centres in the east of the country.
When you take into account those figures from the electoral observer group, in fact Fretilin has made very strong gains in those areas. So, if you include them, Fretilin would have perhaps 27 per cent of the vote, and Jose Ramos-Horta perhaps 23. Lasama or Fernando de Araujo would be on 21 or 22.
So, it is neck and neck between Jose Ramos-Horta and Fernando de Araujo, but I think when we get final figures perhaps later today, it looks as if Fretilin has taken the lead in some of those areas in the east.
ELEANOR HALL: Now, and this is a very different outlook from 24 hours ago, what's caused the confusion there?
ANNE BARKER: Well, I think yesterday we were really talking from figures that had been counted in Dili. And certainly Jose Ramos-Horta is the clear winner when you take into account the 26 polling booths in Dili.
He had something like 30 per cent of the vote here in Dili, whereas the Fretilin candidate was considerably less. But Fretilin's stronghold is certainly in the east of the country, historically that's where a lot of the independent fighters have come from and they make up the core, if you like, of the Fretilin membership.
So, once those figures have started coming in, and that's been a slow process, it has changed the overall vote.
ELEANOR HALL: So, is there any doubt now that there will be a second round vote and that it will be between Lu Olo and Jose Ramos-Horta?
ANNE BARKER: Well, there's absolutely no doubt there will be a second run-off election probably in early May because the only way that anyone could win from last Monday's vote would be to get 50 per cent of the count or a clear majority.
Even on the figures that we got from the observer group, Fretilin seems only to have as high as 27 per cent of the vote. That's a long way short of 50 per cent. They're basing their count on about 70 per cent of the votes that have been counted, and you expect that the remaining 30 per cent would either follow that trend or even if they change the trend, it wouldn't be enough to get anybody over that 50 per cent.
So, certainly there will be an election next month between probably, possibly Lu Olo and maybe Jose Ramos-Horta, but it is feasible that Fernando de Araujo could sort of come from behind and just beat Jose Ramos-Horta, but I think the expectation is still that it will be Jose Ramos-Horta versus Francisco Guterres or Lu Olo.
ELEANOR HALL: How much of a relief is it for Fretilin from the people you've been talking to there that they are actually going to be in this second round vote. I mean, was there a sense of shock when they were looking at not making it in to that position?
ANNE BARKER: Well, look, quite the opposite. They gave a press conference last night where they were planning to have 40 per cent of the vote. But of course, they're going on their own count, their own scrutineers around the country, sort of ringing in with their own tally which doesn't match what we've got from the National Electoral Commission.
Certainly, they never expected to lose, they never expected to be out of that election next month. But what they have had to concede is that they didn't have the outright majority on the day.
If you spoke to Lu Olo on Monday as he was voting and other Fretilin leaders, they were adamant that there would be a majority vote for Fretilin on Monday, meaning there wouldn't need to be a second election.
So, I think they're disappointed that they've even had to go to a run-off election, but they always believed that they would get the strongest vote on the day.
ELEANOR HALL: Now, Anne, the head of the UN mission in East Timor has been talking optimistically about a rapprochement between the leaders of the rival political groups, whatever the final result. How realistic is it to expect this election to bring to an end, the political and generational divisions that have fuelled much of the violence recently?
ANNE BARKER: Well, look, I think overall people are saying this election campaign has been overwhelmingly peaceful. There was certainly no incidents on voting day, even though there was sporadic violence and a lot of sort of accusations of intimidation and dirty tricks on both sides in the weeks leading up to the polls.
But I think it's been a pleasant surprise for most observers that the leaders and the candidates and their supporters haven't been sort of more at each other's throats, if you like, in the last few weeks.
So, I think, yeah, there is an expectation that whatever the vote is, whatever the final result is, the hope is that people will accept that result, the East Timorese largely, the support of the Fretilin particularly will accept that result and there won't be any serious violence in the months ahead.
ELEANOR HALL: Anne Barker, thank you. Anne Barker, our Correspondent in Dili.
The World Today - Wednesday, 11 April , 2007 12:37:00
Reporter: Anne Barker
ELEANOR HALL: Let's go now to Dili, where East Timor's electoral commission has just released the latest figures on the presidential poll.
There've been conflicting reports about which candidate is in the lead in East Timor's first presidential election since independence, with the commission yesterday indicating that the ruling Fretilin candidate would not even make it into the second round of voting.
But today, with around 70 per cent of the vote counted, Fretilin's candidate, Francisco Guterres or Lu Olo, has taken the lead.
Correspondent Anne Barker is in Dili, and she joins us from there now.
So, Anne, what is the latest today from East Timor's electoral commission?
ANNE BARKER: Well, Eleanor, the figures are very interesting. If you talk to the National Electoral Commission, which is the official sort of body doing the count, the three top candidates, Francisco Guterres or Lu Olo, and Jose Ramos-Horta and Fernando de Araujo, the leader of the Democratic Party are neck and neck on about 21 per cent or varying degrees within, between 21 and 22 per cent.
But interestingly, their figures match figures that have come from an electoral observer group, and they're not official. But the only centres they don't have votes for are the Baucau and Lautem, two centres in the east of the country.
When you take into account those figures from the electoral observer group, in fact Fretilin has made very strong gains in those areas. So, if you include them, Fretilin would have perhaps 27 per cent of the vote, and Jose Ramos-Horta perhaps 23. Lasama or Fernando de Araujo would be on 21 or 22.
So, it is neck and neck between Jose Ramos-Horta and Fernando de Araujo, but I think when we get final figures perhaps later today, it looks as if Fretilin has taken the lead in some of those areas in the east.
ELEANOR HALL: Now, and this is a very different outlook from 24 hours ago, what's caused the confusion there?
ANNE BARKER: Well, I think yesterday we were really talking from figures that had been counted in Dili. And certainly Jose Ramos-Horta is the clear winner when you take into account the 26 polling booths in Dili.
He had something like 30 per cent of the vote here in Dili, whereas the Fretilin candidate was considerably less. But Fretilin's stronghold is certainly in the east of the country, historically that's where a lot of the independent fighters have come from and they make up the core, if you like, of the Fretilin membership.
So, once those figures have started coming in, and that's been a slow process, it has changed the overall vote.
ELEANOR HALL: So, is there any doubt now that there will be a second round vote and that it will be between Lu Olo and Jose Ramos-Horta?
ANNE BARKER: Well, there's absolutely no doubt there will be a second run-off election probably in early May because the only way that anyone could win from last Monday's vote would be to get 50 per cent of the count or a clear majority.
Even on the figures that we got from the observer group, Fretilin seems only to have as high as 27 per cent of the vote. That's a long way short of 50 per cent. They're basing their count on about 70 per cent of the votes that have been counted, and you expect that the remaining 30 per cent would either follow that trend or even if they change the trend, it wouldn't be enough to get anybody over that 50 per cent.
So, certainly there will be an election next month between probably, possibly Lu Olo and maybe Jose Ramos-Horta, but it is feasible that Fernando de Araujo could sort of come from behind and just beat Jose Ramos-Horta, but I think the expectation is still that it will be Jose Ramos-Horta versus Francisco Guterres or Lu Olo.
ELEANOR HALL: How much of a relief is it for Fretilin from the people you've been talking to there that they are actually going to be in this second round vote. I mean, was there a sense of shock when they were looking at not making it in to that position?
ANNE BARKER: Well, look, quite the opposite. They gave a press conference last night where they were planning to have 40 per cent of the vote. But of course, they're going on their own count, their own scrutineers around the country, sort of ringing in with their own tally which doesn't match what we've got from the National Electoral Commission.
Certainly, they never expected to lose, they never expected to be out of that election next month. But what they have had to concede is that they didn't have the outright majority on the day.
If you spoke to Lu Olo on Monday as he was voting and other Fretilin leaders, they were adamant that there would be a majority vote for Fretilin on Monday, meaning there wouldn't need to be a second election.
So, I think they're disappointed that they've even had to go to a run-off election, but they always believed that they would get the strongest vote on the day.
ELEANOR HALL: Now, Anne, the head of the UN mission in East Timor has been talking optimistically about a rapprochement between the leaders of the rival political groups, whatever the final result. How realistic is it to expect this election to bring to an end, the political and generational divisions that have fuelled much of the violence recently?
ANNE BARKER: Well, look, I think overall people are saying this election campaign has been overwhelmingly peaceful. There was certainly no incidents on voting day, even though there was sporadic violence and a lot of sort of accusations of intimidation and dirty tricks on both sides in the weeks leading up to the polls.
But I think it's been a pleasant surprise for most observers that the leaders and the candidates and their supporters haven't been sort of more at each other's throats, if you like, in the last few weeks.
So, I think, yeah, there is an expectation that whatever the vote is, whatever the final result is, the hope is that people will accept that result, the East Timorese largely, the support of the Fretilin particularly will accept that result and there won't be any serious violence in the months ahead.
ELEANOR HALL: Anne Barker, thank you. Anne Barker, our Correspondent in Dili.
Run-off presidential vote looks certain in East Timor
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070411.wtimor0411/BNStory/International/home
ZAKKI HAKIM
Associated Press
DILI, EAST TIMOR — East Timor headed toward a run-off presidential vote Wednesday after partial election results showed two candidates in a near dead heat — a situation that could prolong this fledgling nation's political instability.
Five candidates immediately protested, alleging in a letter to the electoral commission that figures had been manipulated. They demanded all ballot boxes be secured in a single place and be recounted in public.
Nobel Peace Prize laureate Jose Ramos-Horta initially had been seen as the favourite for the largely ceremonial five-year post, but he acknowledged losing support after working with bitter political rivals when the country was plunged to the brink of civil war one year ago.
With more than 70 per cent of the ballots counted, Mr. Ramos-Horta, running as an independent, was trailing Francisco (Lu-Olo) Guterres of the left-wing Fretilin party by just over 5 per cent, said the National Election Commission.
With an absolute majority needed for a win — a run-off between the two top candidates on May 8 was all but certain.
“Everything indicates a second ballot,” Mr. Ramos-Horta, 57, told reporters, urging all candidates to respect the final tally to be released on April 19. “Whatever the outcome, we must all honour it and work toward a peaceful acceptance.”
East Timor was heralded as a success in nation-building when it formally declared independence from Indonesia in 2002. But it descended into chaos last year after then-prime minister Mari Alkatiri fired a third of the tiny army, provoking gun attles between rival security forces that spiralled into gang warfare and looting.
At least 37 people were killed and some 155,000 fled their homes before the government collapsed.
Mr. Ramos-Horta and his close ally, outgoing President Xanana Gusmao — who will run for prime minister in the more crucial parliamentary elections this June — are hoping to sideline the traditionally popular Fretilin party.
The left-wing party, which has a majority in Parliament, said before Monday's vote it would accept nothing short of victory.
Adding to tensions, five candidates claimed fraud even before all ballots were tallied.
“We demand that the National Election Commission recount the votes. We have found a clear manipulation during the count,” said Lucia Lobato, the only female candidate, though she did not elaborate.
“If the CNE doesn't listen to our demand we will not accept the result of the elections.”
Mr. Ramos-Horta, who won the 1996 Nobel Peace Prize for championing East Timor's struggle to end decades of brutal Indonesian rule, replaced Mr. Alkatiri as prime minister last year. Though by far the best-known of the eight candidates, turnout at his recent election campaign rallies was lower than expected.
Angry protests broke out last month when Australian troops tried to capture popular rebel leader Alfredo Reinado in a raid backed by the Nobel laureate. Mr. Reinado escaped, but four of his followers were killed.
Mr. Ramos-Horta, who ran as an independent, has also been criticized for failing to imprison former interior minister Rogerio Lobato, accused of helping arm civilian militias during last year's unrest.
East Timor was a Portuguese colony for more than three centuries before it was invaded by Indonesia in 1976. Insurgents spent the next 24 years fighting the occupation, a struggle Mr. Ramos-Horta championed from exile.
When its people voted for independence in 1999, Indonesian troops and their militia allies went on a rampage, killing more than 1,000 people and razing Dili to the ground.
ZAKKI HAKIM
Associated Press
DILI, EAST TIMOR — East Timor headed toward a run-off presidential vote Wednesday after partial election results showed two candidates in a near dead heat — a situation that could prolong this fledgling nation's political instability.
Five candidates immediately protested, alleging in a letter to the electoral commission that figures had been manipulated. They demanded all ballot boxes be secured in a single place and be recounted in public.
Nobel Peace Prize laureate Jose Ramos-Horta initially had been seen as the favourite for the largely ceremonial five-year post, but he acknowledged losing support after working with bitter political rivals when the country was plunged to the brink of civil war one year ago.
With more than 70 per cent of the ballots counted, Mr. Ramos-Horta, running as an independent, was trailing Francisco (Lu-Olo) Guterres of the left-wing Fretilin party by just over 5 per cent, said the National Election Commission.
With an absolute majority needed for a win — a run-off between the two top candidates on May 8 was all but certain.
“Everything indicates a second ballot,” Mr. Ramos-Horta, 57, told reporters, urging all candidates to respect the final tally to be released on April 19. “Whatever the outcome, we must all honour it and work toward a peaceful acceptance.”
East Timor was heralded as a success in nation-building when it formally declared independence from Indonesia in 2002. But it descended into chaos last year after then-prime minister Mari Alkatiri fired a third of the tiny army, provoking gun attles between rival security forces that spiralled into gang warfare and looting.
At least 37 people were killed and some 155,000 fled their homes before the government collapsed.
Mr. Ramos-Horta and his close ally, outgoing President Xanana Gusmao — who will run for prime minister in the more crucial parliamentary elections this June — are hoping to sideline the traditionally popular Fretilin party.
The left-wing party, which has a majority in Parliament, said before Monday's vote it would accept nothing short of victory.
Adding to tensions, five candidates claimed fraud even before all ballots were tallied.
“We demand that the National Election Commission recount the votes. We have found a clear manipulation during the count,” said Lucia Lobato, the only female candidate, though she did not elaborate.
“If the CNE doesn't listen to our demand we will not accept the result of the elections.”
Mr. Ramos-Horta, who won the 1996 Nobel Peace Prize for championing East Timor's struggle to end decades of brutal Indonesian rule, replaced Mr. Alkatiri as prime minister last year. Though by far the best-known of the eight candidates, turnout at his recent election campaign rallies was lower than expected.
Angry protests broke out last month when Australian troops tried to capture popular rebel leader Alfredo Reinado in a raid backed by the Nobel laureate. Mr. Reinado escaped, but four of his followers were killed.
Mr. Ramos-Horta, who ran as an independent, has also been criticized for failing to imprison former interior minister Rogerio Lobato, accused of helping arm civilian militias during last year's unrest.
East Timor was a Portuguese colony for more than three centuries before it was invaded by Indonesia in 1976. Insurgents spent the next 24 years fighting the occupation, a struggle Mr. Ramos-Horta championed from exile.
When its people voted for independence in 1999, Indonesian troops and their militia allies went on a rampage, killing more than 1,000 people and razing Dili to the ground.
Fretilin man cleared for next round of East Timor presidential race
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/latest/200704112038/fretilin_man_
cleared_for_next_round_of_east_timor_presidential_race
East Timor's National Election Commission says the presidential vote will go to a second round, with the ruling Fretilin party's Francisco Guterres facing off against one other challenger.
Mr Guterres has a 28% share, with 350,000 votes counted and is already cleared for the second round of voting.
The second contender in the run-off, provisionally set down for 8 May, is expected to be either Prime Minister Jose Ramos Horta, an independent presidential candidate, or the Democratic Party's Fernando de Araujo.
Earlier another non-government election group, KOMEG, said that the Fretilin party candidate was in the lead.
Eight candidates are vying to replace independence fighter Xanana Gusmao as president. A second round between the two top candidates is held if no one wins more than the 50% needed to win outright.
Troops braced for violence
New Zealand troops are part of an international force ensuring security during the poll, and diplomats from New Zealand are among those monitoring the election as more than half a million East Timorese went to the polls on Monday to select a new president.
The New Zealand commander in Dili, Major Bill Keelan, says the relative peace may not continue and troops are bracing themselves for any violence in case some groups take exception to the results.
A total of 523,000 people are registered to vote in the country's first presidential election since it gained independence in 2002.
cleared_for_next_round_of_east_timor_presidential_race
East Timor's National Election Commission says the presidential vote will go to a second round, with the ruling Fretilin party's Francisco Guterres facing off against one other challenger.
Mr Guterres has a 28% share, with 350,000 votes counted and is already cleared for the second round of voting.
The second contender in the run-off, provisionally set down for 8 May, is expected to be either Prime Minister Jose Ramos Horta, an independent presidential candidate, or the Democratic Party's Fernando de Araujo.
Earlier another non-government election group, KOMEG, said that the Fretilin party candidate was in the lead.
Eight candidates are vying to replace independence fighter Xanana Gusmao as president. A second round between the two top candidates is held if no one wins more than the 50% needed to win outright.
Troops braced for violence
New Zealand troops are part of an international force ensuring security during the poll, and diplomats from New Zealand are among those monitoring the election as more than half a million East Timorese went to the polls on Monday to select a new president.
The New Zealand commander in Dili, Major Bill Keelan, says the relative peace may not continue and troops are bracing themselves for any violence in case some groups take exception to the results.
A total of 523,000 people are registered to vote in the country's first presidential election since it gained independence in 2002.
East Timor faces more uncertainty in poll run-off - Reuters
By Ahmad Pathoni | April 11, 2007
http://www.boston.com/news/world/asia/articles/2007/04/11/east_timor_faces_more_uncertainty_in_poll_run_off/
DILI (Reuters) - East Timor's presidential election was heading for a run-off on Wednesday after 70 percent of votes were counted, adding to concerns about stability in a nation still struggling to pull together after a year of crisis.
Monday's polls were mostly peaceful but divisions in the young, dirt-poor nation run deep five years after independence.
A regional split erupted into bloodshed last May after the sacking of 600 mutinous troops from the western region. Foreign troops had to be brought in to restore order.
Prime Minister Jose Ramos-Horta, Fretilin Party candidate Francisco Guterres and the Democratic Party's Fernando de Araujo were locked in a three-way race, preliminary vote counts showed.
"From the tally, it is very likely there will be a second round," election commission spokesman Martinho Gusmao told a news conference, adding that 70 percent of the votes had been counted.
Ramos-Horta, a Nobel peace prize winner who spearheaded an overseas campaign for independence from Indonesia, was slightly ahead with 21.75 percent, De Araujo had 21.73 percent and Guterres had 21.39 percent, he said.
If no one wins more than half the vote, a run-off will be held on May 8.
Another non-government election group said that parliament chief Guterres, also known by the guerrilla nickname "Lu'olo" he had during the fight against Indonesian rule, was ahead with about a fifth of the roughly half a million registered voters.
The coalition of church activists, academics and other groups put Ramos-Horta in second place and De Araujo in third.
EU ENDORSES VOTE
EU observer chief Javier Pomes Ruiz told a news conference that the election had mostly gone smoothly with a high turnout.
"The opinion of the EU observation mission in general is that the level of violence and intimidation is not enough to change the opinion of a peaceful and orderly process," said Ruiz, who said ballot paper shortages in about 10 percent of polling stations had been resolved, helped by helicopter deliveries.
The EU was the biggest foreign monitoring body.
The bespectacled Ramos-Horta accused some "radical elements" in Fretilin, the ruling party machine, of intimidation, but told reporters he would accept the results of the election.
"Maybe we will have a final result tonight although it wouldn't be official and subject to verification," he said.
Ramos-Horta, who has the highest international profile, said he was concerned that if Fretilin won it would show hostility to neighbors such as Australia.
"The Fretilin government has little sensitivity toward the region," he said. Ramos-Horta has said he would like Australian and other international forces to stay on longer in East Timor.
Fretilin, for its part, has said it would file a complaint over alleged irregularities and fraud in Monday's poll.
The Socialist-leaning Fretilin, which was East Timor's freedom movement, controls parliament. Ramos-Horta left it and became an independent in the 1980s when he was in exile.
Julio Thomas, a political analyst at the National University of Timor Leste, played down the prospect of immediate trouble.
"The prospect of violence even if Fretilin's candidate lost is minimum. But it will be more dangerous if Fretilin lost in the parliamentary elections (in June). There could be chaos."
Supporters of rival candidates clashed during campaigning last week, injuring more than 30 people and prompting international troops to fire tear gas and warning shots.
© Copyright 2007 Reuters. Reuters content is the intellectual property of Reuters or its third-party content providers. Any copying, republication, or redistribution of Reuters content, including by caching, framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters.
http://www.boston.com/news/world/asia/articles/2007/04/11/east_timor_faces_more_uncertainty_in_poll_run_off/
DILI (Reuters) - East Timor's presidential election was heading for a run-off on Wednesday after 70 percent of votes were counted, adding to concerns about stability in a nation still struggling to pull together after a year of crisis.
Monday's polls were mostly peaceful but divisions in the young, dirt-poor nation run deep five years after independence.
A regional split erupted into bloodshed last May after the sacking of 600 mutinous troops from the western region. Foreign troops had to be brought in to restore order.
Prime Minister Jose Ramos-Horta, Fretilin Party candidate Francisco Guterres and the Democratic Party's Fernando de Araujo were locked in a three-way race, preliminary vote counts showed.
"From the tally, it is very likely there will be a second round," election commission spokesman Martinho Gusmao told a news conference, adding that 70 percent of the votes had been counted.
Ramos-Horta, a Nobel peace prize winner who spearheaded an overseas campaign for independence from Indonesia, was slightly ahead with 21.75 percent, De Araujo had 21.73 percent and Guterres had 21.39 percent, he said.
If no one wins more than half the vote, a run-off will be held on May 8.
Another non-government election group said that parliament chief Guterres, also known by the guerrilla nickname "Lu'olo" he had during the fight against Indonesian rule, was ahead with about a fifth of the roughly half a million registered voters.
The coalition of church activists, academics and other groups put Ramos-Horta in second place and De Araujo in third.
EU ENDORSES VOTE
EU observer chief Javier Pomes Ruiz told a news conference that the election had mostly gone smoothly with a high turnout.
"The opinion of the EU observation mission in general is that the level of violence and intimidation is not enough to change the opinion of a peaceful and orderly process," said Ruiz, who said ballot paper shortages in about 10 percent of polling stations had been resolved, helped by helicopter deliveries.
The EU was the biggest foreign monitoring body.
The bespectacled Ramos-Horta accused some "radical elements" in Fretilin, the ruling party machine, of intimidation, but told reporters he would accept the results of the election.
"Maybe we will have a final result tonight although it wouldn't be official and subject to verification," he said.
Ramos-Horta, who has the highest international profile, said he was concerned that if Fretilin won it would show hostility to neighbors such as Australia.
"The Fretilin government has little sensitivity toward the region," he said. Ramos-Horta has said he would like Australian and other international forces to stay on longer in East Timor.
Fretilin, for its part, has said it would file a complaint over alleged irregularities and fraud in Monday's poll.
The Socialist-leaning Fretilin, which was East Timor's freedom movement, controls parliament. Ramos-Horta left it and became an independent in the 1980s when he was in exile.
Julio Thomas, a political analyst at the National University of Timor Leste, played down the prospect of immediate trouble.
"The prospect of violence even if Fretilin's candidate lost is minimum. But it will be more dangerous if Fretilin lost in the parliamentary elections (in June). There could be chaos."
Supporters of rival candidates clashed during campaigning last week, injuring more than 30 people and prompting international troops to fire tear gas and warning shots.
© Copyright 2007 Reuters. Reuters content is the intellectual property of Reuters or its third-party content providers. Any copying, republication, or redistribution of Reuters content, including by caching, framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters.
East Timor poll candidates threaten court action
Stephen Fitzpatrick
in Dili
April 11, 2007
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21539664-601,00.html
EAST Timor's presidential election is facing court action even before it goes into a runoff vote, with more than half of the candidates today announcing they will not recognise the outcome of the poll because of what they termed voting irregularities.
The election will go into a runoff vote, with the ruling Fretilin party's Francisco “Lu Olo” Guterres facing off against one other challenger, the national election commission said today. “Guterres is already cleared for the second round,” Faustino Cardoso, the commission's president, said.
Nevertheless, the five candidates – including the candidate from the opposition Democratic Party, Fernando “La Sama” de Araujo, who is third in the polling – say they will not recognise any outcome of the poll.
The five, who also include candidates Lucia Lobato, Avelino Coelho, Xavier do Amarall and Manuel Tilman, cited instances of what they described as voter intimidation, vote rigging and inadequate identity-checking.
They demanded a recount be held in Dili in front of all eight candidates and their scrutineers. Although that is extremely unlikely to happen, the candidates said they would formally challenge the outcome of the poll in court before the runoff vote once a result has formally been declared by the electoral commission.
It was not immediately clear which of two other main challengers will face Guterres in the May 8 runoff.
Popularly known as Lu Olo, Guterres had a 28.3 per cent share with 354,033 votes counted after Monday's presidential poll, the first since impoverished East Timor achieved independence in 2002.
Nobel laureate Jose Ramos Horta, the tiny country's current prime minister, was in second place with 22.5 per cent, Cardoso said, while the candidate from the opposition Democratic Party, Fernando “La Sama” de Araujo, won 18.6 per cent.
The runoff is needed as no candidate won more than 50 per cent in the first round.
Observers said Monday's election was generally open, orderly and peaceful after fears that the former Portuguese colony's violent past heralded election unrest.
Ramos Horta expressed serious misgivings today, saying there had been many allegations of impropriety during the poll, but pledged not to challenge the result if he failed to make the runoff.
“I believe that, whatever the result, we must all honour it and work toward a peaceful acceptance of the first ballot.”
Eight candidates had stood to replace incumbent president Xanana Gusmao, a charismatic former guerrilla leader who did not seek re-election and wants to become prime minister, which in East Timor is a more powerful position.
The election followed a turbulent year in East Timor.
Violence erupted in April and May last year after the prime minister at the time, Fretilin's Mari Alkatiri, dismissed hundreds of army deserters.
Firefights subsequently broke out between factions of the military as well as between the army and police, and degenerated into gang violence.
- with AFP
in Dili
April 11, 2007
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21539664-601,00.html
EAST Timor's presidential election is facing court action even before it goes into a runoff vote, with more than half of the candidates today announcing they will not recognise the outcome of the poll because of what they termed voting irregularities.
The election will go into a runoff vote, with the ruling Fretilin party's Francisco “Lu Olo” Guterres facing off against one other challenger, the national election commission said today. “Guterres is already cleared for the second round,” Faustino Cardoso, the commission's president, said.
Nevertheless, the five candidates – including the candidate from the opposition Democratic Party, Fernando “La Sama” de Araujo, who is third in the polling – say they will not recognise any outcome of the poll.
The five, who also include candidates Lucia Lobato, Avelino Coelho, Xavier do Amarall and Manuel Tilman, cited instances of what they described as voter intimidation, vote rigging and inadequate identity-checking.
They demanded a recount be held in Dili in front of all eight candidates and their scrutineers. Although that is extremely unlikely to happen, the candidates said they would formally challenge the outcome of the poll in court before the runoff vote once a result has formally been declared by the electoral commission.
It was not immediately clear which of two other main challengers will face Guterres in the May 8 runoff.
Popularly known as Lu Olo, Guterres had a 28.3 per cent share with 354,033 votes counted after Monday's presidential poll, the first since impoverished East Timor achieved independence in 2002.
Nobel laureate Jose Ramos Horta, the tiny country's current prime minister, was in second place with 22.5 per cent, Cardoso said, while the candidate from the opposition Democratic Party, Fernando “La Sama” de Araujo, won 18.6 per cent.
The runoff is needed as no candidate won more than 50 per cent in the first round.
Observers said Monday's election was generally open, orderly and peaceful after fears that the former Portuguese colony's violent past heralded election unrest.
Ramos Horta expressed serious misgivings today, saying there had been many allegations of impropriety during the poll, but pledged not to challenge the result if he failed to make the runoff.
“I believe that, whatever the result, we must all honour it and work toward a peaceful acceptance of the first ballot.”
Eight candidates had stood to replace incumbent president Xanana Gusmao, a charismatic former guerrilla leader who did not seek re-election and wants to become prime minister, which in East Timor is a more powerful position.
The election followed a turbulent year in East Timor.
Violence erupted in April and May last year after the prime minister at the time, Fretilin's Mari Alkatiri, dismissed hundreds of army deserters.
Firefights subsequently broke out between factions of the military as well as between the army and police, and degenerated into gang violence.
- with AFP
East Timor to Hold Second Round of Presidential Poll (Update1)
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601081&sid=awZ_7P.cURKw&refer=australia
East Timor to Hold Second Round of Presidential Poll (Update1)
By Emma O'Brien and Ed Johnson
April 11 (Bloomberg) -- East Timor's first presidential election since independence from Indonesia will progress to a second round as no candidate has secured 50 percent of the vote, the country's election commission said.
``We are looking at a second round on the ninth of May,'' commission spokesman Martinho Gusmao said in a telephone interview from the capital, Dili, today. Candidates protested that the election wasn't fair.
Francisco `Lu'Olo' Guterres of the ruling Fretilin party will proceed to the run-off, said Gusmao. It wasn't immediately clear which of the other two main challengers will take part in the second round.
Eight candidates stood in the April 9 ballot in the Southeast Asian nation, which lies about 500 kilometers (310 miles) north of Australia. Whoever wins the presidency will face the challenge of sparking economic growth, which was negative in 2006, creating jobs when half the population of more than 1 million people is unemployed, and improving conditions for the 42 percent of people living below the poverty line.
Five of the eight candidates filed a formal protest with the election commission today saying the ballot wasn't conducted fairly and demanding that counting stop immediately, Agence France-Presse reported.
Guterres secured 28.8 percent of the vote with 357,766 ballots cast at 3 p.m. East Timor time, an election commission official said by telephone, on condition he not be identified because of the sensitivity of the issue.
Final Count
Jose Ramos Horta, the prime minister and independent candidate, secured 22.6 percent of the vote and Democratic Party candidate Fernando De Araujo had 18.5 percent, the official said. More than 522,000 people were registered to vote.
More than 2,000 observers monitored the election, including teams from the European Union, Australia and Japan. United Nations police and members of the Australian-led force provided security at the 504 polling stations and for the candidates.
Guterres has already filed complaints with the electoral committee, his spokesman Arsenio Bano said from Dili.
Fretilin observers reported election officials in rural districts accepting registration cards or photocopies of passports as identification, Bano said. Voters had to present either a passport or official identity card issued by the committee in order to be allowed to vote.
De Araujo said in an interview from the capital he will hold a news conference today on his concerns there has been interference in the voting. ``I suspect a lot of manipulation,'' he said.
Second Round
Ramos Horta is preparing to contest a second round election, his spokesman, Dionisio Babo, said by telephone from Dili.
``He's still waiting for the final results and is concerned at the slowness of the counting,'' Babo said.
East Timor, also known as Timor Leste, has been unstable since former Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri fired a third of the army last May, a move that provoked clashes between people from the eastern and western regions, resulting in 37 deaths.
In the past year, fighting between factions of the security forces and gang violence drove 150,000 people from their homes. A peacekeeping contingent led by Australia has been stationed in Dili since shortly after the unrest began.
To contact the reporters on this story: Emma O'Brien in Wellington at eobrien6@bloomberg.net ; Ed Johnson in Sydney at ejohnson28@bloomberg.net .
East Timor to Hold Second Round of Presidential Poll (Update1)
By Emma O'Brien and Ed Johnson
April 11 (Bloomberg) -- East Timor's first presidential election since independence from Indonesia will progress to a second round as no candidate has secured 50 percent of the vote, the country's election commission said.
``We are looking at a second round on the ninth of May,'' commission spokesman Martinho Gusmao said in a telephone interview from the capital, Dili, today. Candidates protested that the election wasn't fair.
Francisco `Lu'Olo' Guterres of the ruling Fretilin party will proceed to the run-off, said Gusmao. It wasn't immediately clear which of the other two main challengers will take part in the second round.
Eight candidates stood in the April 9 ballot in the Southeast Asian nation, which lies about 500 kilometers (310 miles) north of Australia. Whoever wins the presidency will face the challenge of sparking economic growth, which was negative in 2006, creating jobs when half the population of more than 1 million people is unemployed, and improving conditions for the 42 percent of people living below the poverty line.
Five of the eight candidates filed a formal protest with the election commission today saying the ballot wasn't conducted fairly and demanding that counting stop immediately, Agence France-Presse reported.
Guterres secured 28.8 percent of the vote with 357,766 ballots cast at 3 p.m. East Timor time, an election commission official said by telephone, on condition he not be identified because of the sensitivity of the issue.
Final Count
Jose Ramos Horta, the prime minister and independent candidate, secured 22.6 percent of the vote and Democratic Party candidate Fernando De Araujo had 18.5 percent, the official said. More than 522,000 people were registered to vote.
More than 2,000 observers monitored the election, including teams from the European Union, Australia and Japan. United Nations police and members of the Australian-led force provided security at the 504 polling stations and for the candidates.
Guterres has already filed complaints with the electoral committee, his spokesman Arsenio Bano said from Dili.
Fretilin observers reported election officials in rural districts accepting registration cards or photocopies of passports as identification, Bano said. Voters had to present either a passport or official identity card issued by the committee in order to be allowed to vote.
De Araujo said in an interview from the capital he will hold a news conference today on his concerns there has been interference in the voting. ``I suspect a lot of manipulation,'' he said.
Second Round
Ramos Horta is preparing to contest a second round election, his spokesman, Dionisio Babo, said by telephone from Dili.
``He's still waiting for the final results and is concerned at the slowness of the counting,'' Babo said.
East Timor, also known as Timor Leste, has been unstable since former Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri fired a third of the army last May, a move that provoked clashes between people from the eastern and western regions, resulting in 37 deaths.
In the past year, fighting between factions of the security forces and gang violence drove 150,000 people from their homes. A peacekeeping contingent led by Australia has been stationed in Dili since shortly after the unrest began.
To contact the reporters on this story: Emma O'Brien in Wellington at eobrien6@bloomberg.net ; Ed Johnson in Sydney at ejohnson28@bloomberg.net .
E.Timor vote runs out of ballot papers
http://www.france24.com/france24Public/en/administration/afp-news.html?id=070409110138.9jibjbjh&cat=null
East Timor's election commission said Monday an "emergency situation" had developed at polling stations across the country because of a shortage of ballot papers.
"This is an emergency situation in all districts, because the queues were still long but the ballots were exhausted," said Martinho Gusmao, a spokesman for the National Election Commission, which organised the ballot.
An East Timorese body helping to administer the vote said in a statement that it was "addressing the need for additional ballot papers at some locations" along with the United Nations mission in East Timor.
Two UN helicopters and one from the international peacekeeping force in East Timor made four "rapid reaction support flights to meet ballot paper deficits," it said.
"On the back of what so far has been an operationally-successful and peaceful polling day, a high morning and early-afternoon turnout has been reported for Timor-Leste's presidential election," it said.
The body, the Timorese Technical Secretariat for Election Administration (STAE), issued its early-afternoon statement before some polling stations began closing as scheduled at 0700 GMT.
It was unclear if voting had been formally extended elsewhere.
East Timor's election commission said Monday an "emergency situation" had developed at polling stations across the country because of a shortage of ballot papers.
"This is an emergency situation in all districts, because the queues were still long but the ballots were exhausted," said Martinho Gusmao, a spokesman for the National Election Commission, which organised the ballot.
An East Timorese body helping to administer the vote said in a statement that it was "addressing the need for additional ballot papers at some locations" along with the United Nations mission in East Timor.
Two UN helicopters and one from the international peacekeeping force in East Timor made four "rapid reaction support flights to meet ballot paper deficits," it said.
"On the back of what so far has been an operationally-successful and peaceful polling day, a high morning and early-afternoon turnout has been reported for Timor-Leste's presidential election," it said.
The body, the Timorese Technical Secretariat for Election Administration (STAE), issued its early-afternoon statement before some polling stations began closing as scheduled at 0700 GMT.
It was unclear if voting had been formally extended elsewhere.
Somet Congratulates the People of Timor-Leste
http://newsblaze.com/story/20070410093905tsop.np/newsblaze/TOPSTORY/Top-Stories.html
Timor-Leste's voters went to the polls on 9 April 2007 to elect their next President. The Solidarity Observer Mission for East Timor (SOMET) dispatched twelve accredited, nonpartisan observers to 52 polling stations in Dili, Liqui硠and Ermera districts to observe the voting and tabulation process.
SOMET was initiated by the international solidarity movement for Timor-Leste, and is a coalition including organizations in the United States, Asia and the Netherlands. In cooperation with Timorese non-governmental organizations, SOMET observers from eight countries came to Timor-Leste to support the people of this new democracy in their right to choose their next President.
SOMET congratulates the people of Timor-Leste for overcoming obstacles and inexperience to carry out their first national election largely without violence or bias to reflect the will of the voters. Nearly all polling center workers we observed performed ably, impartially and conscientiously. Voters were patient and committed, and nearly all knew how to participate in this free and fair democratic election. Our preliminary analysis indicates that the process generally went as intended, notwithstanding some minor irregularities and problems. Given recent turbulence which shook the confidence of many Timorese in their governmental processes, this is a significant accomplishment.
Timor-Leste will have more elections, and SOMET will issue a report later this week highlighting areas that can be improved. Some of the most important are:
* SOMET observers witnessed many polling stations where political party and candidate agents seemed too numerous, or appeared to try to influence voters or intervene in the electoral process. Polling Center staff often had trouble dissuading agents from engaging in inappropriate actions.
* In some polling centers, closing and counting processes deviated from the regulations, and there seemed to be unclear standards or training about procedures and when to invalidate a ballot. Ballot counting often went into the night, especially in centers with multiple polling stations. Many centers had no lighting, and the lanterns provided for the election were not bright enough for observers and candidate agents to verify ballots.
* Measures to guard against double-voting were often not followed, especially checking a voter's hands for ink before allowing them to vote, although SOMET did not witness anyone trying to vote more than once.
* Predicted violence by Timorese voters or partisans did not occur, due to the responsible behavior of the population. International and Timorese police generally performed well, although SOMET observed some instances of inappropriate deployment of police and international soldiers.
The Solidarity Observer Mission for East Timor (SOMET), a non-partisan observer mission for the elections, was formed at the invitation of some civil society organizations in Timor-Leste to work in partnership with nonpartisan Timorese and other international observers to support an election process which is transparent, free and fair. SOMET will observe the 2007 Presidential and Parliamentary elections. We will report on the entire process - paying special attention to voter education, campaigning, vote casting and counting, and implementation of the results. More information can be found online at see http://etan.org/etan/obproject/default.htm.
Timor-Leste's voters went to the polls on 9 April 2007 to elect their next President. The Solidarity Observer Mission for East Timor (SOMET) dispatched twelve accredited, nonpartisan observers to 52 polling stations in Dili, Liqui硠and Ermera districts to observe the voting and tabulation process.
SOMET was initiated by the international solidarity movement for Timor-Leste, and is a coalition including organizations in the United States, Asia and the Netherlands. In cooperation with Timorese non-governmental organizations, SOMET observers from eight countries came to Timor-Leste to support the people of this new democracy in their right to choose their next President.
SOMET congratulates the people of Timor-Leste for overcoming obstacles and inexperience to carry out their first national election largely without violence or bias to reflect the will of the voters. Nearly all polling center workers we observed performed ably, impartially and conscientiously. Voters were patient and committed, and nearly all knew how to participate in this free and fair democratic election. Our preliminary analysis indicates that the process generally went as intended, notwithstanding some minor irregularities and problems. Given recent turbulence which shook the confidence of many Timorese in their governmental processes, this is a significant accomplishment.
Timor-Leste will have more elections, and SOMET will issue a report later this week highlighting areas that can be improved. Some of the most important are:
* SOMET observers witnessed many polling stations where political party and candidate agents seemed too numerous, or appeared to try to influence voters or intervene in the electoral process. Polling Center staff often had trouble dissuading agents from engaging in inappropriate actions.
* In some polling centers, closing and counting processes deviated from the regulations, and there seemed to be unclear standards or training about procedures and when to invalidate a ballot. Ballot counting often went into the night, especially in centers with multiple polling stations. Many centers had no lighting, and the lanterns provided for the election were not bright enough for observers and candidate agents to verify ballots.
* Measures to guard against double-voting were often not followed, especially checking a voter's hands for ink before allowing them to vote, although SOMET did not witness anyone trying to vote more than once.
* Predicted violence by Timorese voters or partisans did not occur, due to the responsible behavior of the population. International and Timorese police generally performed well, although SOMET observed some instances of inappropriate deployment of police and international soldiers.
The Solidarity Observer Mission for East Timor (SOMET), a non-partisan observer mission for the elections, was formed at the invitation of some civil society organizations in Timor-Leste to work in partnership with nonpartisan Timorese and other international observers to support an election process which is transparent, free and fair. SOMET will observe the 2007 Presidential and Parliamentary elections. We will report on the entire process - paying special attention to voter education, campaigning, vote casting and counting, and implementation of the results. More information can be found online at see http://etan.org/etan/obproject/default.htm.
"(AP) East Timor Election May Need 2nd Round"
By ANTHONY DEUTSCH
Associated Press Writer
DILI, East Timor
http://www.wkrn.com/nashville/news/ap-east-timor-election-may-need-2nd-round/88064.htm
East Timor's presidential elections may require a second round of voting, a top election official said Tuesday, setting the stage for prolonged instability in a young nation that nearly descended into civil war a year ago.
Prime Minister Jose Ramos-Horta, who won the 1996 Nobel Peace Prize for championing East Timor's struggle to end decades of brutal Indonesian rule, initially had been seen as the favorite for the five-year presidency.
But the 57-year-old statesman, who faced seven challengers, acknowledged he may have lost support after taking over a transitional government dominated by rival politicians.
An outright majority is needed to avoid a runoff which _ together with more crucial parliamentary elections in June _ could prolong tensions in the country of less than 1 million people.
Election Commission spokesman Martinho Gusmao said that with 20 percent of votes counted, the top contenders, Ramos-Horta, an independent, and Fernando "Lasama" de Araujo, of the Democratic Party, were running neck-to-neck.
"So far we see from one candidate to another there is a small difference," he said, setting aprovisional date of May 8 for a run-off vote. "Perhaps no candidate will win more than 50 percent."
East Timor was heralded as a success in nation-building when it formally declared independence in 2002. Yet it descended into chaos last year after then-Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri fired a third of the tiny army, provoking gunbattles between rival security forces that spiraled into gang warfare and looting.
At least 37 people were killed and some 155,000 fled their homes before the government collapsed.
Peace largely returned with the arrival of nearly 3,000 international peacekeepers, but there hasbeen sporadic unrest. Tens of thousands of refugees have yet to return home, and the country remains desperately poor, with 50 percent unemployment.
Preliminary results were expected Wednesday and the final tally April 19.
Angry protests broke out last month when Australian troops tried to capture popular rebel leader Alfredo Reinado in a raid backed by Ramos-Horta. Reinado escaped, but four of his followers were killed.
Ramos-Horta also has been criticized for failing to imprison former Interior Minister Rogerio Lobato, accused of helping arm civilian militias during last year's unrest.
"IfI win, I will bear a wooden cross almost as heavy as Christ's," said Ramos-Horta, who claimed he would prefer to retire, write books and travel. "If I lose, I will win my freedom."
East Timor was a Portuguese colony for more than three centuries before it was invaded by Indonesia in 1976. Insurgents spent the next 24 years fighting the occupation, a struggle Ramos-Horta championed from exile.
When its people voted for independence in 1999, Indonesian troops and their militia allies went on a rampage, killing more than 1,000 people and razing Dili to the ground.
____
Associated Press writersZakki Hakim and Guido Goulart contributed to this report.
Copyright 2007 by the Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
Associated Press Writer
DILI, East Timor
http://www.wkrn.com/nashville/news/ap-east-timor-election-may-need-2nd-round/88064.htm
East Timor's presidential elections may require a second round of voting, a top election official said Tuesday, setting the stage for prolonged instability in a young nation that nearly descended into civil war a year ago.
Prime Minister Jose Ramos-Horta, who won the 1996 Nobel Peace Prize for championing East Timor's struggle to end decades of brutal Indonesian rule, initially had been seen as the favorite for the five-year presidency.
But the 57-year-old statesman, who faced seven challengers, acknowledged he may have lost support after taking over a transitional government dominated by rival politicians.
An outright majority is needed to avoid a runoff which _ together with more crucial parliamentary elections in June _ could prolong tensions in the country of less than 1 million people.
Election Commission spokesman Martinho Gusmao said that with 20 percent of votes counted, the top contenders, Ramos-Horta, an independent, and Fernando "Lasama" de Araujo, of the Democratic Party, were running neck-to-neck.
"So far we see from one candidate to another there is a small difference," he said, setting aprovisional date of May 8 for a run-off vote. "Perhaps no candidate will win more than 50 percent."
East Timor was heralded as a success in nation-building when it formally declared independence in 2002. Yet it descended into chaos last year after then-Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri fired a third of the tiny army, provoking gunbattles between rival security forces that spiraled into gang warfare and looting.
At least 37 people were killed and some 155,000 fled their homes before the government collapsed.
Peace largely returned with the arrival of nearly 3,000 international peacekeepers, but there hasbeen sporadic unrest. Tens of thousands of refugees have yet to return home, and the country remains desperately poor, with 50 percent unemployment.
Preliminary results were expected Wednesday and the final tally April 19.
Angry protests broke out last month when Australian troops tried to capture popular rebel leader Alfredo Reinado in a raid backed by Ramos-Horta. Reinado escaped, but four of his followers were killed.
Ramos-Horta also has been criticized for failing to imprison former Interior Minister Rogerio Lobato, accused of helping arm civilian militias during last year's unrest.
"IfI win, I will bear a wooden cross almost as heavy as Christ's," said Ramos-Horta, who claimed he would prefer to retire, write books and travel. "If I lose, I will win my freedom."
East Timor was a Portuguese colony for more than three centuries before it was invaded by Indonesia in 1976. Insurgents spent the next 24 years fighting the occupation, a struggle Ramos-Horta championed from exile.
When its people voted for independence in 1999, Indonesian troops and their militia allies went on a rampage, killing more than 1,000 people and razing Dili to the ground.
____
Associated Press writersZakki Hakim and Guido Goulart contributed to this report.
Copyright 2007 by the Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
Timor results possible in a week: Downer
Timor results possible in a week: Downer
10th April 2007, 11:43 WST
http://www.thewest.com.au/aapstory.aspx?StoryName=372028
Foreign Minister Alexander Downer expects the results from the East Timorese presidential elections to be known within the next week or so.
The people of East Timor went to the polls on Monday to vote for a new president, their first ballot for the role since the country gained independence in 2002.
But there are suggestions the poll could require a run-off vote, with no clear winner emerging.
Despite this possibility, Mr Downer said the election had gone well.
"People voted in vast numbers," he told Adelaide radio.
"That is a great thing for East Timor."
Mr Downer said he was unsure when exactly the result of the poll may be known.
"It will be within the next week or so and then beyond that, there are parliamentary elections in the middle of the year and I think that is likely to be pretty lively as well," he said.
AAP
10th April 2007, 11:43 WST
http://www.thewest.com.au/aapstory.aspx?StoryName=372028
Foreign Minister Alexander Downer expects the results from the East Timorese presidential elections to be known within the next week or so.
The people of East Timor went to the polls on Monday to vote for a new president, their first ballot for the role since the country gained independence in 2002.
But there are suggestions the poll could require a run-off vote, with no clear winner emerging.
Despite this possibility, Mr Downer said the election had gone well.
"People voted in vast numbers," he told Adelaide radio.
"That is a great thing for East Timor."
Mr Downer said he was unsure when exactly the result of the poll may be known.
"It will be within the next week or so and then beyond that, there are parliamentary elections in the middle of the year and I think that is likely to be pretty lively as well," he said.
AAP
Test for Democracy in East Timor
By Shar Adams
Epoch Times Brisbane staff
http://en.epochtimes.com/news/7-4-10/53941.html
It will be up to East Timor’s incumbent party, Fretilin, to determine how the small island state moves forward following its recent presidential elections, says East Timor analyst Francisco da Costa Guterres.
Speaking from Dili on Tuesday April 10, Mr Guterres told The Epoch Times that the atmosphere was presently peaceful following the country’s first democratic elections since independence from Indonesian in 1999, but violence could easily flare if polling, as many observers expect, does not go Fretilin’s way.
“I am not sure whether Fretilin will accept the results,” Mr Guterras said. “If Fretilin loses then I am quite afraid we will have a violence. That will destroy the whole forces of democratic development.”
At the time of going to print, Fretilin was polling worse than expected and it appeared voters were showing support for other candidates, especially current Prime Minister Jose Ramos Horta. More than 500,000 voters turned out on April 9 to choose a President from a field of eight candidates. While a number of interests have been represented, including the tribal chiefs, only three candidates are thought to have a chance—Mr Ramos-Horta; parliamentary speaker and veteran of Fretilin, Francisco “Lu Olo” Guterres; and founder of the student resistance movement the Democratic Party’s, Fernando "Lasama" de Araujo. As candidates must gain over 50 per cent of the primary vote, Mr Guterras said it was unlikely a winner would be selected in the first round of voting. Instead, he expected that Mr Ramos-Horta, who is standing as an independent, would lead one coalition of candidates and it would be between “Lu Olo” and “Lasama” to see who would represent the others. A second round or “run off” election between the two Presidential candidates could then be expected around early May.
The East Timorese Presidency is considered a purely ceremonial role, but the latest elections are understood to be a test case for how voters would cast their ballots in parliamentary elections, due to be held in late June or early July this year. “Whoever wins the presidential, definitely they will win the next election,” Mr Guterres said.
A political analyst who works at the Timor Institute in Dili, Mr Guterres said the East Timorese people had given Fretilin a chance but conditions in Timor had not improved during their governance and the East Timorese were ready for change.
“Fretilin has had the chance of four or five years. They did not deliver any significant development to the people.
“They [the people] want change. They want a new regime. A regime that can provide stability economic development, a regime that can help them get out from poverty,” he said.
The opposition parties had proven they could accept the will of the people by stepping back after the first election and giving Fretilin a chance, Mr Guterres said, now it would be Fretilin’s turn to show political maturity if Lu Olo did not win.
“This is going to be huge test for our democracy,” he said.
East Timor has been plagued with unrest since independance, the last major outbreak in May 2006 when an Australian led international peacekeeping force was called in to quell fighting between rebel groups, led by former East Timorese military leader, Alfredo Reinardo and government forces.
Major Reinardo who remains at large after escaping arrest, has said he would be willing to negotiate with the then President Xanana Gusmao but rejected the authority of the East Timorese Government.
“My supreme commander is the President. I receive orders from the President. I'm not receiving orders from [the] Prime Minister,” he told the ABC.
Mr Guterres said little had been heard from Major Reinardo during the election but the military leader still had plenty of influence and he believed he would be telling his supporters to vote for the opposition candidates.
“I have not heard anything from him at this stage, but I think he is expecting that the result should not go in favour of Fretilin. I think he has support for other candidates but not for Fretilin.”
“On the Fretilin side it will be difficult to reconcile Reinardo and Fretilin. It is going to be a huge difficulty so I think if Lu Olo and Horta go into the second round, I think Reinardo would prefer to vote for Horta,” Mr Guterres said. “With Horta I think they can reconcile.”
Over 3,000 international peace keeping forces, mainly from Australian and New Zealand, and more than 1800 observers have been deployed around East Timor to supervise the polls.
Epoch Times Brisbane staff
http://en.epochtimes.com/news/7-4-10/53941.html
It will be up to East Timor’s incumbent party, Fretilin, to determine how the small island state moves forward following its recent presidential elections, says East Timor analyst Francisco da Costa Guterres.
Speaking from Dili on Tuesday April 10, Mr Guterres told The Epoch Times that the atmosphere was presently peaceful following the country’s first democratic elections since independence from Indonesian in 1999, but violence could easily flare if polling, as many observers expect, does not go Fretilin’s way.
“I am not sure whether Fretilin will accept the results,” Mr Guterras said. “If Fretilin loses then I am quite afraid we will have a violence. That will destroy the whole forces of democratic development.”
At the time of going to print, Fretilin was polling worse than expected and it appeared voters were showing support for other candidates, especially current Prime Minister Jose Ramos Horta. More than 500,000 voters turned out on April 9 to choose a President from a field of eight candidates. While a number of interests have been represented, including the tribal chiefs, only three candidates are thought to have a chance—Mr Ramos-Horta; parliamentary speaker and veteran of Fretilin, Francisco “Lu Olo” Guterres; and founder of the student resistance movement the Democratic Party’s, Fernando "Lasama" de Araujo. As candidates must gain over 50 per cent of the primary vote, Mr Guterras said it was unlikely a winner would be selected in the first round of voting. Instead, he expected that Mr Ramos-Horta, who is standing as an independent, would lead one coalition of candidates and it would be between “Lu Olo” and “Lasama” to see who would represent the others. A second round or “run off” election between the two Presidential candidates could then be expected around early May.
The East Timorese Presidency is considered a purely ceremonial role, but the latest elections are understood to be a test case for how voters would cast their ballots in parliamentary elections, due to be held in late June or early July this year. “Whoever wins the presidential, definitely they will win the next election,” Mr Guterres said.
A political analyst who works at the Timor Institute in Dili, Mr Guterres said the East Timorese people had given Fretilin a chance but conditions in Timor had not improved during their governance and the East Timorese were ready for change.
“Fretilin has had the chance of four or five years. They did not deliver any significant development to the people.
“They [the people] want change. They want a new regime. A regime that can provide stability economic development, a regime that can help them get out from poverty,” he said.
The opposition parties had proven they could accept the will of the people by stepping back after the first election and giving Fretilin a chance, Mr Guterres said, now it would be Fretilin’s turn to show political maturity if Lu Olo did not win.
“This is going to be huge test for our democracy,” he said.
East Timor has been plagued with unrest since independance, the last major outbreak in May 2006 when an Australian led international peacekeeping force was called in to quell fighting between rebel groups, led by former East Timorese military leader, Alfredo Reinardo and government forces.
Major Reinardo who remains at large after escaping arrest, has said he would be willing to negotiate with the then President Xanana Gusmao but rejected the authority of the East Timorese Government.
“My supreme commander is the President. I receive orders from the President. I'm not receiving orders from [the] Prime Minister,” he told the ABC.
Mr Guterres said little had been heard from Major Reinardo during the election but the military leader still had plenty of influence and he believed he would be telling his supporters to vote for the opposition candidates.
“I have not heard anything from him at this stage, but I think he is expecting that the result should not go in favour of Fretilin. I think he has support for other candidates but not for Fretilin.”
“On the Fretilin side it will be difficult to reconcile Reinardo and Fretilin. It is going to be a huge difficulty so I think if Lu Olo and Horta go into the second round, I think Reinardo would prefer to vote for Horta,” Mr Guterres said. “With Horta I think they can reconcile.”
Over 3,000 international peace keeping forces, mainly from Australian and New Zealand, and more than 1800 observers have been deployed around East Timor to supervise the polls.
UN chief hails orderly polls in East Timor
Apil 10 2007 at 01:13AM
http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=126&art_id=nw20070410011014437C559846
New York - United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon on Monday hailed the orderly and calm presidential elections in East Timor as well as early indications of high voter turnout.
"The secretary general is heartened that the election was conducted in a general atmosphere of order and calm, and that the initial indications show high voter turnout," his office said in a statement.
"He hopes that calm will prevail while the counting proceeds and when the results are announced."
Calling the electoral process in East Timor "an important step on the path to peace and stability". Ban appealed to the world community to continue providing aid as East Timor "works to... address challenges related to the security sector, the rule of law, governance and development".
Vote-counting began in the former Portuguese colony on Monday, after a peaceful presidential election which saw long lines at polling stations and raised hopes for an end to the cycle of violence that has gripped the nation.
More than half the population of about one million was registered to vote in the election to replace the charismatic former guerrilla leader Xanana Gusmao, amid tight security and concerns over whether the result will be credible.
It was the first poll since East Timor declared independence in 2002, after a bloody separation three years earlier from occupying Indonesian forces.
http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=126&art_id=nw20070410011014437C559846
New York - United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon on Monday hailed the orderly and calm presidential elections in East Timor as well as early indications of high voter turnout.
"The secretary general is heartened that the election was conducted in a general atmosphere of order and calm, and that the initial indications show high voter turnout," his office said in a statement.
"He hopes that calm will prevail while the counting proceeds and when the results are announced."
Calling the electoral process in East Timor "an important step on the path to peace and stability". Ban appealed to the world community to continue providing aid as East Timor "works to... address challenges related to the security sector, the rule of law, governance and development".
Vote-counting began in the former Portuguese colony on Monday, after a peaceful presidential election which saw long lines at polling stations and raised hopes for an end to the cycle of violence that has gripped the nation.
More than half the population of about one million was registered to vote in the election to replace the charismatic former guerrilla leader Xanana Gusmao, amid tight security and concerns over whether the result will be credible.
It was the first poll since East Timor declared independence in 2002, after a bloody separation three years earlier from occupying Indonesian forces.
Timor troops on alert as votes counted
Apr 10, 2007
http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/411366/1054715
New Zealand forces remain on alert in East Timor, where counting is underway after Monday's ballot in the first presidential elections since independence.
There is no sign yet of feared sectarian violence on the scale of last year.
However officials warn there could be unrest when the results are released.
Eight candidates are running to replace independence fighter Xanana Gusmao as president. At one stage, Prime Minister Jose Ramos Horta appeared to have a lead over his main challengers who are Francisco Guterres "Lu Olo", from the major party Fretilin and Fernando "La Sama" de Araujo, from the new generation Democratic Party.
Analysts doubt any of the candidates will have the numbers for an outright victory, which raises the likelihood of a second round of voting between the top two polling candidates next month.
A long-time campaigner for East Timor's independence says Monday's presidential elections are an historic moment but the fight for justice goes on.
Maire Leadbeater who has been involved with the group The Indonesia Human Rights Committee, has campaigned for independence in East Timor for more than a decade. Despite the elections she does not believe New Zealand has really faced up to its responsibilities for the brutality the Timorese suffered under Indonesian rule, a political situation she claims it supported.
Leadbeater has just published a book on the issue called Negligent Neighbours.
http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/411366/1054715
New Zealand forces remain on alert in East Timor, where counting is underway after Monday's ballot in the first presidential elections since independence.
There is no sign yet of feared sectarian violence on the scale of last year.
However officials warn there could be unrest when the results are released.
Eight candidates are running to replace independence fighter Xanana Gusmao as president. At one stage, Prime Minister Jose Ramos Horta appeared to have a lead over his main challengers who are Francisco Guterres "Lu Olo", from the major party Fretilin and Fernando "La Sama" de Araujo, from the new generation Democratic Party.
Analysts doubt any of the candidates will have the numbers for an outright victory, which raises the likelihood of a second round of voting between the top two polling candidates next month.
A long-time campaigner for East Timor's independence says Monday's presidential elections are an historic moment but the fight for justice goes on.
Maire Leadbeater who has been involved with the group The Indonesia Human Rights Committee, has campaigned for independence in East Timor for more than a decade. Despite the elections she does not believe New Zealand has really faced up to its responsibilities for the brutality the Timorese suffered under Indonesian rule, a political situation she claims it supported.
Leadbeater has just published a book on the issue called Negligent Neighbours.
EAST TIMOR: HORTA LEADS BUT RUN-OFF LIKELY
http://www.adnki.com/index_2Level_English.php?cat=Politics&loid=8.0.403012868&par=0
Dili, 10 April (AKI) - East Timor's current prime minister and Noble Peace Prize winner, Jose Ramos-Horta, is leading the country's first post-independence presidential race. But the final result is far from certain and a run-off looks likely. Election Commission spokesperson, Martinho Gusmao said that with 20 percent of the votes counted - most of which were in the capital, Dili - Horta is closely followed by several other contenders.
"At the top is Ramos-Horta and Lu-Olo and then Lasadma," he told reporters in Dili, on Tuesday.
Francisco Guterres "Lu-Olo" and Fernando "Lasadma'' de Araujo are two former guerrilla fighters. The first represents the Fretilin party, while the latter is a candidate for the Democratic Party.
"The counting process is ongoing in the whole territory, and it is too early for the media to report and for the Election Commission to announce a winner," he added, slamming Dili’s two main newspapers that had announced a clear Horta victory.
"I do not know where these two newspapers get their information. But the official tally is quite different. What they said is premature, inaccurate and unreliable," Martinho said.
A Preliminary final result is expected to be announced on Wednesday. The official result would follow on April 19. If no candidate wins an outright majority, a run-off will take place, probably in May.
Most analysts worry that the uncertainty could increase the tension in a country polarized along political and ethnic lines and where violence has been a constant for the past year.
In this regard, President Xanana Gusmao reiterated a call for calm. “Everyone should accept the result of the elections and there should not be any violence or vandalism,” he told reports in Dili, on Tuesday.
Looking ahead, housewife Manuela Anita Ximenes told Adnkronos International (AKI) that it is important that whoever wins the election will fulfill his promises.
“These (the promises) are mostly for national unity and jobs. If there are jobs, I believe that in Dili there would be peace,” she told AKI. “This is what we are crying out for,” she added.
More than 2,000 observers monitored the election that took place without any major trouble. The turnout could be as high as 95 percent.
East Timor, once the pride of the United Nation’s nation-building, descended into chaos last year after then-Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri fired a third of the tiny army, provoking gun battles between rival security forces that spiraled into gang warfare and looting. At least 37 people were killed, and some 155,000 fled their homes before the government collapsed.
The country had declared its independence on May 2002, after 24 years of Indonesian occupation and two and half years of UN administration.
Dili, 10 April (AKI) - East Timor's current prime minister and Noble Peace Prize winner, Jose Ramos-Horta, is leading the country's first post-independence presidential race. But the final result is far from certain and a run-off looks likely. Election Commission spokesperson, Martinho Gusmao said that with 20 percent of the votes counted - most of which were in the capital, Dili - Horta is closely followed by several other contenders.
"At the top is Ramos-Horta and Lu-Olo and then Lasadma," he told reporters in Dili, on Tuesday.
Francisco Guterres "Lu-Olo" and Fernando "Lasadma'' de Araujo are two former guerrilla fighters. The first represents the Fretilin party, while the latter is a candidate for the Democratic Party.
"The counting process is ongoing in the whole territory, and it is too early for the media to report and for the Election Commission to announce a winner," he added, slamming Dili’s two main newspapers that had announced a clear Horta victory.
"I do not know where these two newspapers get their information. But the official tally is quite different. What they said is premature, inaccurate and unreliable," Martinho said.
A Preliminary final result is expected to be announced on Wednesday. The official result would follow on April 19. If no candidate wins an outright majority, a run-off will take place, probably in May.
Most analysts worry that the uncertainty could increase the tension in a country polarized along political and ethnic lines and where violence has been a constant for the past year.
In this regard, President Xanana Gusmao reiterated a call for calm. “Everyone should accept the result of the elections and there should not be any violence or vandalism,” he told reports in Dili, on Tuesday.
Looking ahead, housewife Manuela Anita Ximenes told Adnkronos International (AKI) that it is important that whoever wins the election will fulfill his promises.
“These (the promises) are mostly for national unity and jobs. If there are jobs, I believe that in Dili there would be peace,” she told AKI. “This is what we are crying out for,” she added.
More than 2,000 observers monitored the election that took place without any major trouble. The turnout could be as high as 95 percent.
East Timor, once the pride of the United Nation’s nation-building, descended into chaos last year after then-Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri fired a third of the tiny army, provoking gun battles between rival security forces that spiraled into gang warfare and looting. At least 37 people were killed, and some 155,000 fled their homes before the government collapsed.
The country had declared its independence on May 2002, after 24 years of Indonesian occupation and two and half years of UN administration.
Runoff looms in East Timor vote
April 10 2007 at 11:39AM
http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=126&art_id=nw20070410113259307C660272
Dili - A runoff loomed in troubled East Timor's landmark presidential election as Nobel laureate Jose Ramos-Horta held a slender lead in a peaceful contest praised on Tuesday as a success.
Ramos-Horta, the nation's prime minister, led in a provisional count of 20 percent of the votes cast on Monday by a high turnout of East Timorese wanting an end to bloodshed and poverty that has scarred the former Portuguese colony.
But Fernando "Lasama" de Araujo, the chairperson of the opposition Democratic Party, was close behind Ramos-Horta in the race for the largely ceremonial job, the national election commission said.
"Perhaps no candidate will get 50 percent," commission spokesperson Martinho Gusmao said, without saying what percentage of the partial count the hopefuls had achieved.
A candidate must get a simple majority of the votes cast, or the contest - the first since East Timor achieved independence in 2002 after the end of Indonesian occupation - goes to a runoff set for May 8.
A former guerrilla and the candidate for East Timor's powerful ruling Fretilin party, Francisco "Lu-Olo" Guterres, was third after the partial tally of votes.
Technical problems held up the count across much of the country, but the poll to choose a successor to charismatic former guerrilla leader Xanana Gusmao, who is not seeking re-election, was praised as a success.
Observers said the vote was orderly and fair and the turnout was high, despite fears of violence, allegations by rival politicians of voter intimidation and some last-minute scrambles for ballot papers.
"At one place we were at, people were lined up - literally 400 people in a line, breast to back - like sardines in the hot sun for three hours to vote, and there was no tension there at all," said Australian MP David Tollner.
Tollner, the head of a group of Australian election observers, said he was "extremely impressed" with the overall conduct of the vote and downplayed concerns about delays in tallying the results.
"On one hand people complain it's taking too long, but on the other hand there should be no doubt about the results when they come through," he said.
Ramos-Horta, who shared the Nobel Peace Prize in 1996 for his work on East Timor, Lasama, a former political prisoner in Indonesia, and Lu-Olo were seen as the favourites for the presidency before the poll.
The election commission said the technical problems led to a delay in the count everywhere except in the capital, Dili, where Ramos-Horta had 30 percent and Lasama 25 percent of an almost complete provisional count.
The peaceful vote was hailed a success for a country that saw years of bloodshed under Indonesian rule after 1974, and an orgy of killing as it voted for independence in a UN-sponsored referendum in 1999.
"Voting in the presidential election proceeded without major incidents of violence or intimidation, which is already a very good result for Timor-Leste," said Atul Khare, the head of the UN mission in East Timor, referring to country by its formal name.
The vote followed a turbulent year in East Timor. Foreign peacekeepers arrived in May to quell violence that left at least 37 people dead and forced over 150 000 people to flee their homes.
The violence erupted after then prime minister Mari Alkatiri dismissed hundreds of army deserters. Firefights subsequently broke out between factions of the military, and between the army and police, and degenerated into gang violence.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said he hoped calm would prevail as the votes were tallied.
"The secretary general is heartened that the election was conducted in a general atmosphere of order and calm, and that the initial indications show high voter turnout," his office said in a statement.
Indonesia also welcomed the peaceful presidential election and said it would work with the tiny country it formerly occupied.
Eight candidates stood to replace Xanana Gusmao, who won a pre-independence vote. More than half the population of about one million had registered to cast their ballots.
http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=126&art_id=nw20070410113259307C660272
Dili - A runoff loomed in troubled East Timor's landmark presidential election as Nobel laureate Jose Ramos-Horta held a slender lead in a peaceful contest praised on Tuesday as a success.
Ramos-Horta, the nation's prime minister, led in a provisional count of 20 percent of the votes cast on Monday by a high turnout of East Timorese wanting an end to bloodshed and poverty that has scarred the former Portuguese colony.
But Fernando "Lasama" de Araujo, the chairperson of the opposition Democratic Party, was close behind Ramos-Horta in the race for the largely ceremonial job, the national election commission said.
"Perhaps no candidate will get 50 percent," commission spokesperson Martinho Gusmao said, without saying what percentage of the partial count the hopefuls had achieved.
A candidate must get a simple majority of the votes cast, or the contest - the first since East Timor achieved independence in 2002 after the end of Indonesian occupation - goes to a runoff set for May 8.
A former guerrilla and the candidate for East Timor's powerful ruling Fretilin party, Francisco "Lu-Olo" Guterres, was third after the partial tally of votes.
Technical problems held up the count across much of the country, but the poll to choose a successor to charismatic former guerrilla leader Xanana Gusmao, who is not seeking re-election, was praised as a success.
Observers said the vote was orderly and fair and the turnout was high, despite fears of violence, allegations by rival politicians of voter intimidation and some last-minute scrambles for ballot papers.
"At one place we were at, people were lined up - literally 400 people in a line, breast to back - like sardines in the hot sun for three hours to vote, and there was no tension there at all," said Australian MP David Tollner.
Tollner, the head of a group of Australian election observers, said he was "extremely impressed" with the overall conduct of the vote and downplayed concerns about delays in tallying the results.
"On one hand people complain it's taking too long, but on the other hand there should be no doubt about the results when they come through," he said.
Ramos-Horta, who shared the Nobel Peace Prize in 1996 for his work on East Timor, Lasama, a former political prisoner in Indonesia, and Lu-Olo were seen as the favourites for the presidency before the poll.
The election commission said the technical problems led to a delay in the count everywhere except in the capital, Dili, where Ramos-Horta had 30 percent and Lasama 25 percent of an almost complete provisional count.
The peaceful vote was hailed a success for a country that saw years of bloodshed under Indonesian rule after 1974, and an orgy of killing as it voted for independence in a UN-sponsored referendum in 1999.
"Voting in the presidential election proceeded without major incidents of violence or intimidation, which is already a very good result for Timor-Leste," said Atul Khare, the head of the UN mission in East Timor, referring to country by its formal name.
The vote followed a turbulent year in East Timor. Foreign peacekeepers arrived in May to quell violence that left at least 37 people dead and forced over 150 000 people to flee their homes.
The violence erupted after then prime minister Mari Alkatiri dismissed hundreds of army deserters. Firefights subsequently broke out between factions of the military, and between the army and police, and degenerated into gang violence.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said he hoped calm would prevail as the votes were tallied.
"The secretary general is heartened that the election was conducted in a general atmosphere of order and calm, and that the initial indications show high voter turnout," his office said in a statement.
Indonesia also welcomed the peaceful presidential election and said it would work with the tiny country it formerly occupied.
Eight candidates stood to replace Xanana Gusmao, who won a pre-independence vote. More than half the population of about one million had registered to cast their ballots.
Manipulation feared in East Timor polls
http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=142286&version=1&template_id=45&parent_id=25
Manipulation feared in East Timor pollsPublished: Saturday, 7 April, 2007, 08:34 AM Doha Time
DILI: Half the candidates in East Timor's presidential poll said yesterday they fear many attempts have been made to manipulate the election process ahead of Monday’s vote.
“We fear that there are a lot of attempts to manipulate the whole election process,” the candidates said in a joint statement.
“There’s been a lot of intimidation, a lot of violence, and a lot of threats. We fear that violence can occur on the day of the vote,” they said.
At least 32 people have already been injured in clashes this week in and around the capital Dili, although most of the two-week presidential campaign has been peaceful, the UN has said.
Violence has pulsed through the fledgling state since it gained independence in 2002 after a period of UN stewardship. Indonesia previously occupied the former Portuguese colony for a turbulent 24 years.
The candidates’ statement was read at a press conference by Joao Viegas Carrascalao, one of eight people seeking to replace President Xanana Gusmao in the election, the first since gaining independence.
Joining Carrascalao was Fernando “Lasama” de Araujo, chairman of the opposition Democratic Party, a strong contender to win the election. Two other candidates, Lucia Lobato and Fransisco Xavier do Amaral, were also present.
“We ask the UN to guarantee security and to be aware of all these attempts of manipulation,” Carrascalao said.
“We have in many cases made complaints to the proper authorities and so far we haven’t seen any measures taken.”
Carrascalao said the four candidates received identity cards for their own election observers only yesterday, leaving them insufficient time to prepare to oversee the voting.
They alleged the ruling Fretilin party got its identity cards some time ago from a government department, the Timorese Technical Secretariat for Election Administration (STAE), which is organising the ballot.
“The timing is premeditated,” Carrascalao said. “It’s a government department and we fear that the government is manipulating through this department.”
Fretilin yesterday asked its own supporters as well as those of other parties to act “with a high degree of tolerance and restraint” before and after the election. “Violence is a weapon of those who don’t want democracy,” Fretilin said in a statement.
Faustino Cardoso, the president of the National Election Commission, said he was aware of the identity card problem.
“We have been in contact with STAE. Most of the cards have been finalised. I strongly believe that everything is going to be ready for the election on Monday,” he said.
The UN said 2,000 East Timorese and 232 foreign observers would monitor the ballot. – AFP
Manipulation feared in East Timor pollsPublished: Saturday, 7 April, 2007, 08:34 AM Doha Time
DILI: Half the candidates in East Timor's presidential poll said yesterday they fear many attempts have been made to manipulate the election process ahead of Monday’s vote.
“We fear that there are a lot of attempts to manipulate the whole election process,” the candidates said in a joint statement.
“There’s been a lot of intimidation, a lot of violence, and a lot of threats. We fear that violence can occur on the day of the vote,” they said.
At least 32 people have already been injured in clashes this week in and around the capital Dili, although most of the two-week presidential campaign has been peaceful, the UN has said.
Violence has pulsed through the fledgling state since it gained independence in 2002 after a period of UN stewardship. Indonesia previously occupied the former Portuguese colony for a turbulent 24 years.
The candidates’ statement was read at a press conference by Joao Viegas Carrascalao, one of eight people seeking to replace President Xanana Gusmao in the election, the first since gaining independence.
Joining Carrascalao was Fernando “Lasama” de Araujo, chairman of the opposition Democratic Party, a strong contender to win the election. Two other candidates, Lucia Lobato and Fransisco Xavier do Amaral, were also present.
“We ask the UN to guarantee security and to be aware of all these attempts of manipulation,” Carrascalao said.
“We have in many cases made complaints to the proper authorities and so far we haven’t seen any measures taken.”
Carrascalao said the four candidates received identity cards for their own election observers only yesterday, leaving them insufficient time to prepare to oversee the voting.
They alleged the ruling Fretilin party got its identity cards some time ago from a government department, the Timorese Technical Secretariat for Election Administration (STAE), which is organising the ballot.
“The timing is premeditated,” Carrascalao said. “It’s a government department and we fear that the government is manipulating through this department.”
Fretilin yesterday asked its own supporters as well as those of other parties to act “with a high degree of tolerance and restraint” before and after the election. “Violence is a weapon of those who don’t want democracy,” Fretilin said in a statement.
Faustino Cardoso, the president of the National Election Commission, said he was aware of the identity card problem.
“We have been in contact with STAE. Most of the cards have been finalised. I strongly believe that everything is going to be ready for the election on Monday,” he said.
The UN said 2,000 East Timorese and 232 foreign observers would monitor the ballot. – AFP
East Timor election hopefuls cry foul
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4020559a12.html
By LINDSAY MURDOCH - SMH | Monday, 9 April 2007
Four candidates in East Timor's presidential election have complained they have been disadvantaged by intimidation, violence and a delay in distributing passes for their scrutineers to monitor Monday's vote.
Veteran politician Joao Carrascaloa told journalists in Dili that election officials have been manipulating arrangements to favour the ruling Fretilin Party.
Flanked by other candidates Burnando "Lasama" de Araujo, Lucia Lobato and Francisco Do Amaral, Mr Carrascaloa said the candidates will complain to the National Electoral Commission, which is supervising the election and the United Nations.
Mr Carrascaloa said the four non-Fretilin parties supporting the candidates only received scrutineer passes yesterday (Friday), making it difficult if not impossible to get them to remote polling stations by Monday.
"It's the wet season, many roads are difficult to pass," he said.
Mr Carrascaloa said Fretilin had already delivered passes to 500 polling locations throughout the half-island nation.
Mr Carrascaloa said the candidates would complain that the passes do not have photograph identification, making it easy for non-party people to fraudulently claim they are representing the candidates.
"We believe there is an attempt to manipulate the whole process," Mr Carrascaloa said.
Mr Carrascaloa said the candidates would also seek an assurance from the United Nations that adequate security would be provided at the polling locations.
"If there isn't we will take it upon ourselves to provide our own security," he said.
Mr Lasama, head of the youth-based Democratic Party, said the candidates did not know how many passes had been issued.
"There are many issues we are concerned about," he said.
Mr Lasama is one of three frontrunners to win the election that is being contested by eight candidates.
By LINDSAY MURDOCH - SMH | Monday, 9 April 2007
Four candidates in East Timor's presidential election have complained they have been disadvantaged by intimidation, violence and a delay in distributing passes for their scrutineers to monitor Monday's vote.
Veteran politician Joao Carrascaloa told journalists in Dili that election officials have been manipulating arrangements to favour the ruling Fretilin Party.
Flanked by other candidates Burnando "Lasama" de Araujo, Lucia Lobato and Francisco Do Amaral, Mr Carrascaloa said the candidates will complain to the National Electoral Commission, which is supervising the election and the United Nations.
Mr Carrascaloa said the four non-Fretilin parties supporting the candidates only received scrutineer passes yesterday (Friday), making it difficult if not impossible to get them to remote polling stations by Monday.
"It's the wet season, many roads are difficult to pass," he said.
Mr Carrascaloa said Fretilin had already delivered passes to 500 polling locations throughout the half-island nation.
Mr Carrascaloa said the candidates would complain that the passes do not have photograph identification, making it easy for non-party people to fraudulently claim they are representing the candidates.
"We believe there is an attempt to manipulate the whole process," Mr Carrascaloa said.
Mr Carrascaloa said the candidates would also seek an assurance from the United Nations that adequate security would be provided at the polling locations.
"If there isn't we will take it upon ourselves to provide our own security," he said.
Mr Lasama, head of the youth-based Democratic Party, said the candidates did not know how many passes had been issued.
"There are many issues we are concerned about," he said.
Mr Lasama is one of three frontrunners to win the election that is being contested by eight candidates.
East Timor Voters Turn Out For Presidential Election, Runoff Expected
April 9, 2007 10:44 a.m. EST
http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7006991553
Linda Young - All Headline News Staff Writer
Dili, East Timor (AHN) - The presidential election in East Timor on Monday marked the first since 2002 when the impoverished nation gained its independence from Indonesia. The eight-way race, which includes a Nobel laureate, is expected to result in a run-off election.
The post is mostly ceremonial and whoever is elected will serve for five years.
Political analysts once thought that Prime Minister Jose Ramos-Horta was a sure winner. Ramos-Horta won the 1996 Peace Prize for his work to free East Timor from decades of brutal rule by Indonesia.
A run-off election would be held in a month between the two candidates who win the most votes in Monday's election.
The country has stabilized after a bout of violent unrest last year.
The voting went smoothly with support for protecting the polls from some 3,000 international police and troops on the streets, BBC news reported Monday.
Official votes won't be available until April 16, but preliminary results will be available on Wednesday.
In the meantime, according to International Herald-Tribune reports, here are the unofficial results from National Election Committee spokesman Martinho Gusmao: The top three vote getters so far were independent Ramos-Horta, former guerrilla fighter and leader of the Fretilin party Francisco "Lu-olo" Guterres and Democratic Party candidate and resistance leader Fernando "Lasama" de Araujo.
http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7006991553
Linda Young - All Headline News Staff Writer
Dili, East Timor (AHN) - The presidential election in East Timor on Monday marked the first since 2002 when the impoverished nation gained its independence from Indonesia. The eight-way race, which includes a Nobel laureate, is expected to result in a run-off election.
The post is mostly ceremonial and whoever is elected will serve for five years.
Political analysts once thought that Prime Minister Jose Ramos-Horta was a sure winner. Ramos-Horta won the 1996 Peace Prize for his work to free East Timor from decades of brutal rule by Indonesia.
A run-off election would be held in a month between the two candidates who win the most votes in Monday's election.
The country has stabilized after a bout of violent unrest last year.
The voting went smoothly with support for protecting the polls from some 3,000 international police and troops on the streets, BBC news reported Monday.
Official votes won't be available until April 16, but preliminary results will be available on Wednesday.
In the meantime, according to International Herald-Tribune reports, here are the unofficial results from National Election Committee spokesman Martinho Gusmao: The top three vote getters so far were independent Ramos-Horta, former guerrilla fighter and leader of the Fretilin party Francisco "Lu-olo" Guterres and Democratic Party candidate and resistance leader Fernando "Lasama" de Araujo.
Election turnout in East Timor is large and peaceful
http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/04/09/asia/timor.php
DILI, East Timor: East Timorese streamed to the polls on Monday to vote for a president, hoping the election can help end deep divisions after a year of instability in one of the world's youngest and poorest nations.
More than half a million people are eligible to vote in the election, which the departing president, Xanana Gusmão, says is a chance to demonstrate that East Timor is not a failed state. He is not a candidate for re-election.
Supporters of rival candidates clashed during campaigning last week, injuring more than 30 and prompting international troops to fire tear gas and warning shots.
"This election is important for the country's future," said Rogerio dos Santos, a 30-year-old farmer, before casting his ballot in an elementary school. "I hope the new president will lift us out of the crisis."
Turnout appeared to be high. Although official results are not expected until next week, an electoral commission spokesman said that preliminary results could emerge as early as Tuesday.
There was no violence today, only some verbal abuse in several places," the spokesman, Marinho Gusmão, also said.
Dili was calm on Monday, although residents said that overnight two soldiers described as drunk had fired shots while stopping traffic. No one was hurt in the incident, the residents said.
Campaigns have focused on how to reunite the East Timorese, who are split by an east-west divide that erupted into bloodshed last May after the dismissal of 600 mutinous troops from the western region.
Eight candidates are running for president, including Prime Minister José Ramos-Horta, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate who led an overseas campaign for independence from Indonesia, which was gained in a referendum in 1999. The country of about 900,000 moved from United Nations control to full independence in 2002.
If no one wins more than half the vote, a runoff will be held, a likely scenario.
Gusmão, an ally of Ramos-Horta, plans to seek the more hands-on post of prime minister in a parliamentary election later this year.
Ramos-Horta, speaking to reporters while waiting to vote, said he was happy with the conduct of the election.
"Despite some flaws, despite some intimidation, it can be said to be free and fair," he said.
About 3,000 international troops and police officers were on patrol during the elections, while about 200 international observers monitored the voting.
"There have been a few problems in the districts, but it's completely normal in any election," said Javier Pomes Ruiz of the European Union monitoring mission.
No figures were made public about voter turnout, but all districts reported many voters outside election stations before they opened at 7 a.m., according to the election logistics body.
Some of the 700 polling stations are so remote that paper ballots had to be delivered on horses.
Nevertheless, shortages of ballots were reported in some areas outside the capital. The electoral commission's spokesman said an additional 101 boxes of ballots would be sent to selected districts.
Gusmão has blamed last week's clashes on the Fretilin Party of the ousted prime minister, Mari Alkatiri, accusing its leaders of allowing supporters to provoke violence.
The party has denied the charges.
Fretilin's candidate, Francisco Guterres, a former guerrilla fighter known as "Lu'Olo," is among the favorites in the election.
DILI, East Timor: East Timorese streamed to the polls on Monday to vote for a president, hoping the election can help end deep divisions after a year of instability in one of the world's youngest and poorest nations.
More than half a million people are eligible to vote in the election, which the departing president, Xanana Gusmão, says is a chance to demonstrate that East Timor is not a failed state. He is not a candidate for re-election.
Supporters of rival candidates clashed during campaigning last week, injuring more than 30 and prompting international troops to fire tear gas and warning shots.
"This election is important for the country's future," said Rogerio dos Santos, a 30-year-old farmer, before casting his ballot in an elementary school. "I hope the new president will lift us out of the crisis."
Turnout appeared to be high. Although official results are not expected until next week, an electoral commission spokesman said that preliminary results could emerge as early as Tuesday.
There was no violence today, only some verbal abuse in several places," the spokesman, Marinho Gusmão, also said.
Dili was calm on Monday, although residents said that overnight two soldiers described as drunk had fired shots while stopping traffic. No one was hurt in the incident, the residents said.
Campaigns have focused on how to reunite the East Timorese, who are split by an east-west divide that erupted into bloodshed last May after the dismissal of 600 mutinous troops from the western region.
Eight candidates are running for president, including Prime Minister José Ramos-Horta, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate who led an overseas campaign for independence from Indonesia, which was gained in a referendum in 1999. The country of about 900,000 moved from United Nations control to full independence in 2002.
If no one wins more than half the vote, a runoff will be held, a likely scenario.
Gusmão, an ally of Ramos-Horta, plans to seek the more hands-on post of prime minister in a parliamentary election later this year.
Ramos-Horta, speaking to reporters while waiting to vote, said he was happy with the conduct of the election.
"Despite some flaws, despite some intimidation, it can be said to be free and fair," he said.
About 3,000 international troops and police officers were on patrol during the elections, while about 200 international observers monitored the voting.
"There have been a few problems in the districts, but it's completely normal in any election," said Javier Pomes Ruiz of the European Union monitoring mission.
No figures were made public about voter turnout, but all districts reported many voters outside election stations before they opened at 7 a.m., according to the election logistics body.
Some of the 700 polling stations are so remote that paper ballots had to be delivered on horses.
Nevertheless, shortages of ballots were reported in some areas outside the capital. The electoral commission's spokesman said an additional 101 boxes of ballots would be sent to selected districts.
Gusmão has blamed last week's clashes on the Fretilin Party of the ousted prime minister, Mari Alkatiri, accusing its leaders of allowing supporters to provoke violence.
The party has denied the charges.
Fretilin's candidate, Francisco Guterres, a former guerrilla fighter known as "Lu'Olo," is among the favorites in the election.
East Timor elections 'going smoothly'
April 9, 2007 - 3:02PM
http://news.brisbanetimes.com.au/east-timor-elections-going-smoothly/20070909-6lp.html
Elections in East Timor are proceeding peacefully, the commander of the Australian-led international forces says.
Brigadier Mal Rerden said he was not aware of any security incidents in Dili or surrounding districts, as East Timorese voters headed to the polls to elect a new president.
"It's going very well," he told Sky News.
"There's been plenty of people at the polling booth but no problems, no incidents from a security point of view at all.
"Things are very calm at the moment."
Australian soldiers were providing backup to UN and local police throughout the country, he said.
Eight candidates are vying to replace charismatic independence fighter Xanana Gusmao in the largely ceremonial president's job.
Unless one of the candidates vying for the presidency gets more than 50 per cent of the vote, there will be a further round of elections on May 9.
Brigadier Rerden said the soldiers were keeping a closer eye on areas that had experienced tension in the past.
Locals generally appreciated the presence of the Australian soldiers, he said, and considered them a politically neutral security force.
"Overall, I think it's been a very good response from the community," he said.
"Things have been very good. I think on all sides of the political spectrum there is a recognition that election day is a day for people to have their choice and to participate in free and fair elections and that's what's happening out on the ground."
"In the event that something does happen we have a very robust response planned that will allow us to quickly control the situation and return to calm."
Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer has said Australian troops will remain in East Timor at least until June or July, so they are present for parliamentary elections that could increase tensions in the country.
On Monday, Mr Downer said he hoped the people of East Timor would accept the result of the presidential election.
"We are obviously pleased to see this exercise in democracy taking place in East Timor," he said.
"To the best of our knowledge polling is so far going smoothly.
"Our expectation is that the more difficult period is going to be when the results of this ballot are announced.
"There are going to be people who are disappointed with the result and those people have to accept the voice of the people, the majority of the people."
A team of Australian observers is in East Timor, led by the federal member for Solomon in the Northern Territory, Dave Tollner.
Mr Downer said they would prepare a report on the election and he would also wait until the judgment of teams from the United Nations and the European Union were in before drawing any conclusions on the fairness of the poll.
"We don't have a view at this stage that the election has been unfair," he said.
"There has been a bit of violence, but generally speaking the campaign has been conducted in a reasonably civilised way."
http://news.brisbanetimes.com.au/east-timor-elections-going-smoothly/20070909-6lp.html
Elections in East Timor are proceeding peacefully, the commander of the Australian-led international forces says.
Brigadier Mal Rerden said he was not aware of any security incidents in Dili or surrounding districts, as East Timorese voters headed to the polls to elect a new president.
"It's going very well," he told Sky News.
"There's been plenty of people at the polling booth but no problems, no incidents from a security point of view at all.
"Things are very calm at the moment."
Australian soldiers were providing backup to UN and local police throughout the country, he said.
Eight candidates are vying to replace charismatic independence fighter Xanana Gusmao in the largely ceremonial president's job.
Unless one of the candidates vying for the presidency gets more than 50 per cent of the vote, there will be a further round of elections on May 9.
Brigadier Rerden said the soldiers were keeping a closer eye on areas that had experienced tension in the past.
Locals generally appreciated the presence of the Australian soldiers, he said, and considered them a politically neutral security force.
"Overall, I think it's been a very good response from the community," he said.
"Things have been very good. I think on all sides of the political spectrum there is a recognition that election day is a day for people to have their choice and to participate in free and fair elections and that's what's happening out on the ground."
"In the event that something does happen we have a very robust response planned that will allow us to quickly control the situation and return to calm."
Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer has said Australian troops will remain in East Timor at least until June or July, so they are present for parliamentary elections that could increase tensions in the country.
On Monday, Mr Downer said he hoped the people of East Timor would accept the result of the presidential election.
"We are obviously pleased to see this exercise in democracy taking place in East Timor," he said.
"To the best of our knowledge polling is so far going smoothly.
"Our expectation is that the more difficult period is going to be when the results of this ballot are announced.
"There are going to be people who are disappointed with the result and those people have to accept the voice of the people, the majority of the people."
A team of Australian observers is in East Timor, led by the federal member for Solomon in the Northern Territory, Dave Tollner.
Mr Downer said they would prepare a report on the election and he would also wait until the judgment of teams from the United Nations and the European Union were in before drawing any conclusions on the fairness of the poll.
"We don't have a view at this stage that the election has been unfair," he said.
"There has been a bit of violence, but generally speaking the campaign has been conducted in a reasonably civilised way."
East Timor elections 'going smoothly'
09 April 2007 View all news | Send to a friend | Print
http://moora.yourguide.com.au/detail.asp?class=national%20news&subclass=general&story_id=573658&category=General&m=&y=
Elections in East Timor are proceeding peacefully, the commander of the Australian-led international forces says.
Brigadier Mal Rerden said he was not aware of any security incidents in Dili or surrounding districts, as East Timorese voters headed to the polls to elect a new president.
"It's going very well," he told Sky News.
"There's been plenty of people at the polling booth but no problems, no incidents from a security point of view at all.
"Things are very calm at the moment."
Australian soldiers were providing backup to UN and local police throughout the country, he said.
Eight candidates are vying to replace charismatic independence fighter Xanana Gusmao in the largely ceremonial president's job.
Unless one of the candidates vying for the presidency gets more than 50 per cent of the vote, there will be a further round of elections on May 9.
Brigadier Rerden said the soldiers were keeping a closer eye on areas that had experienced tension in the past.
Locals generally appreciated the presence of the Australian soldiers, he said, and considered them a politically neutral security force.
"Overall, I think it's been a very good response from the community," he said.
"Things have been very good. I think on all sides of the political spectrum there is a recognition that election day is a day for people to have their choice and to participate in free and fair elections and that's what's happening out on the ground."
"In the event that something does happen we have a very robust response planned that will allow us to quickly control the situation and return to calm."
Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer has said Australian troops will remain in East Timor at least until June or July, so they are present for parliamentary elections that could increase tensions in the country.
On Monday, Mr Downer said he hoped the people of East Timor would accept the result of the presidential election.
"We are obviously pleased to see this exercise in democracy taking place in East Timor," he said.
"To the best of our knowledge polling is so far going smoothly.
"Our expectation is that the more difficult period is going to be when the results of this ballot are announced.
"There are going to be people who are disappointed with the result and those people have to accept the voice of the people, the majority of the people."
A team of Australian observers is in East Timor, led by the federal member for Solomon in the Northern Territory, Dave Tollner.
Mr Downer said they would prepare a report on the election and he would also wait until the judgment of teams from the United Nations and the European Union were in before drawing any conclusions on the fairness of the poll.
"We don't have a view at this stage that the election has been unfair," he said.
"There has been a bit of violence, but generally speaking the campaign has been conducted in a reasonably civilised way."
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Elections in East Timor are proceeding peacefully, the commander of the Australian-led international forces says.
Brigadier Mal Rerden said he was not aware of any security incidents in Dili or surrounding districts, as East Timorese voters headed to the polls to elect a new president.
"It's going very well," he told Sky News.
"There's been plenty of people at the polling booth but no problems, no incidents from a security point of view at all.
"Things are very calm at the moment."
Australian soldiers were providing backup to UN and local police throughout the country, he said.
Eight candidates are vying to replace charismatic independence fighter Xanana Gusmao in the largely ceremonial president's job.
Unless one of the candidates vying for the presidency gets more than 50 per cent of the vote, there will be a further round of elections on May 9.
Brigadier Rerden said the soldiers were keeping a closer eye on areas that had experienced tension in the past.
Locals generally appreciated the presence of the Australian soldiers, he said, and considered them a politically neutral security force.
"Overall, I think it's been a very good response from the community," he said.
"Things have been very good. I think on all sides of the political spectrum there is a recognition that election day is a day for people to have their choice and to participate in free and fair elections and that's what's happening out on the ground."
"In the event that something does happen we have a very robust response planned that will allow us to quickly control the situation and return to calm."
Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer has said Australian troops will remain in East Timor at least until June or July, so they are present for parliamentary elections that could increase tensions in the country.
On Monday, Mr Downer said he hoped the people of East Timor would accept the result of the presidential election.
"We are obviously pleased to see this exercise in democracy taking place in East Timor," he said.
"To the best of our knowledge polling is so far going smoothly.
"Our expectation is that the more difficult period is going to be when the results of this ballot are announced.
"There are going to be people who are disappointed with the result and those people have to accept the voice of the people, the majority of the people."
A team of Australian observers is in East Timor, led by the federal member for Solomon in the Northern Territory, Dave Tollner.
Mr Downer said they would prepare a report on the election and he would also wait until the judgment of teams from the United Nations and the European Union were in before drawing any conclusions on the fairness of the poll.
"We don't have a view at this stage that the election has been unfair," he said.
"There has been a bit of violence, but generally speaking the campaign has been conducted in a reasonably civilised way."
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