Amnesty for militia members possible: Gusmao

Amnesty for militia members possible: Gusmao

DILI, East Timor (Agencies): East Timor's president in waiting, Xanana Gusmao, said on Tuesday that amnesties must be considered for some of those who led the deadly violence surrounding the territory's independence vote two years ago.

"We must not say 'No, Never' to amnesty," Gusmao told AFP in an interview.

"We must consider how to practice, how to exercise justice in East Timor, but we should not throw amnesty out of this process."

The former guerrilla commander has led East Timor's independence struggle since 1981, first from the mountains and then from jail. He has become the chief advocate of reconciliation.

He announced at the weekend that he would run for president despite earlier refusals because of pressure from the people and political parties contesting Thursday's elections for a constituent assembly.

Gusmao's stance could set him at odds with the future parliament. Representatives of the 16 parties and four independent candidates running in this week's poll have declared their support for an international war crimes tribunal.

Gusmao said that while he would not oppose a tribunal, he would not actively seek it.

"I support the international tribunal but it is not me, it is not my business. I don't oppose it but it's not my business. "I'm not a human rights activist, I'm not a judge, I'm not a prosecutor. I'm not a politician also. I am a citizen that is concerned about the future of the development of this country. We must be realistic.

"It is better to consider reconciliation, justice and amnesty, how it can be dealt with."

The United Nations warned on Tuesday that troublemakers could try to sabotage the first democratic election in East Timor's turbulent history, but was confident the poll would be free of major violence.

In the final hours before campaigning ends ahead of Thursday's vote, the capital Dili was a sea of color as banner-waving voters, some with faces painted in party colors, flooded the streets in trucks, on motorbikes and on foot.

Despite fears of bloodshed and attacks by pro-Jakarta militias sheltering across the border in Indonesian West Timor, the campaign for a constituent assembly to pave the way for independence has been remarkably peaceful.

The most serious incident so far was the stoning of a car.

Appeal

Gusmao, and the chief UN administrator, Sergio Vieira de Mello, appealed to the people to ensure violence did not erupt.

"I am not (concerned). But we need to remain vigilant," Vieira de Mello told reporters.

"The fact the electoral campaign unfolded the way it did in a peaceful manner doesn't mean that agents provocateurs may not try in the next couple of days, or indeed when the results of the election are announced, to destabilize the process.

Gusmao said the election for the 88-member assembly would set an important precedent for future votes, including a presidential ballot due next year.

"I appeal for non-violence," he told Reuters. "Everybody must refrain... from any kind of excess. It is very important for the future that the first time we exercise our rights in a free election we create a reference for the future."

On the dusty streets of the seaside capital, East Timorese are sick of bloodshed after more than 25 years of war and rebellion that climaxed in the destruction of the territory and the death of hundreds after a 1999 UN-run vote to end Indonesia's military rule.

"We chose independence, life or death. Now it's time," said Dili resident Gregoriou Simoes, who described himself as "just an ordinary person".

"There will be no violence. There are no enemies any more. We are united now," he added.

Wearing a Fretilin cap, he was speaking enthusiastically outside Dili's main sports stadium as the largest party and the spearhead of the fight for independence held a final rally.

Fretilin is expected to win an overwhelming majority of the vote on Thursday.