Subject: IO: Xanana’s recorded speech broadcast
in pro-independence campaign rally
Date: Sun, 15 Aug 1999 23:49:24 EDT
From: Joyo@aol.comIndonesian Observer 16th August 1999
Xanana’s recorded speech broadcast in pro-independence campaign rally
JAKARTA (IO) — Thousands of pro-independence East Timorese yesterday began their
campaign with a recorded speech by detained leader Jose Alexandre ‘Xanana’
Gusmao broadcast at the event.
Yesterday was the second day of the campaign period that was opened on Saturday which
saw a rally by pro-autonomy supporters ahead of the August 30 ballot.
Nearly 5,000 people attended yesterday’s rally culminating with a flag-raising
ceremony.
During the campaign, pro-independence East Timorese also officially opened a branch
office of the Xanana-led National Council of East Timor Resistance (CNRC), according to
the state-run radio RRI.
In his recorded speech, Xanana urged his supporters to show respect for other East
Timorese who want autonomy within Indonesia.
"For the past 24 years our enemy has not been the East Timorese people who want
integration with Indonesia. Our main enemy has been the Indonesian military," Xanana,
who is still under house arrest in Jakarta, was quoted by AP as saying.
Speaking in the local Tetun language, he said the Indonesia Defense Forces (TNI) and
particularly their top commanders, bore responsibility for killings and other forms of
violence committed in the province.
At Saturday’s gathering, UN officials hailed the good behavior of the
anti-independence crowd, describing it as a promising start to the campaign. Many had
feared it could be marred by violence between the rival factions.
Meanwhile in Portugal, the pro-autonomy Timor Nationalist Party (PNT) has held series
of campaign activities ahead of the direct ballot.
"We, the PNT, hold a campaign door-to-door and provide information on the autonomy
policy. We will soon also distribute pamphlets," PNT chairman Abilio Araujo told
Antara on Saturday evening.
Araujo, who is a former leader of anti-integration Fretilin, said he will provide the
people with detailed information on the wide-ranging autonomy package.
He said he believes the door-to-door campaign and pamphlet distribution will be more
effective.
"East Timor people must understand exactly all the consequences for the next
generation of East Timor people. In this case, PNT wants to uphold the detailed concept of
autonomy," he added. Araujo added that East Timor people should be convinced that all
problems should be regarded rationally.
"The current trend is globalization which means unified. Ideas on the secession of
East Timor from Indonesia are obsolete," he said.
In the meantime, East Timor people in Portugal attended a gathering organized by the
High Commissioner for Transitional Period in East Timor (CPATT) and the CNRT.
"Most of us do not understand the campaign. But Catholic Priest Melicias has
organized a gathering here," said Da Costa, an East Timor youth who lives in Lisbon.
Priest Vitor Melicias is a Portuguese with CPATT, who was inaugurated by President Jorge
Sampaio on June 2.
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