E. Timor gubernatorial race heats up

DILI, East Timor (JP): The commander of Udayana Military Command, Maj. Gen. Syahrir, warned yesterday that group interests should be avoided in the election of the new East Timor governor.

"We can't avoid the possibility of group interests coming to the forefront, because that's part of the dynamics of our political culture. But we must try to comply with regulations and established rules for the gubernatorial election," Syahrir said.

Abilio Jose Osorio Soares ends his five-year term as governor on Sept. 18.

Apart from the incumbent, there are four other nominations for the position -- East Timor Legislative Council Speaker Armindo Soares Mariano, Dili regent Domingos Maria Das Dores Soares, Manufahi regent Nazario Jose Tilman de Andrade and Baukau regent Virgilio Dias Marcal.

Syahrir, as the regional military commander, said he did not expect there would be any problems if the election process followed established mechanisms and procedures.

He noted that certain groups may have individual interests and lobby for a certain candidate, but said it should be the general interest which prevailed.

"It shouldn't be what a group wants, but who the people of East Timor want as their next governor," he remarked.

Syahrir was in Indonesia's youngest province for the first time since being installed as commander of Udayana Military Command on July 24.

Based in Bali, the Udayana command is also in charge of security in the provinces of East Timor and West and East Nusa Tenggara.

"Let's just leave it up to the provincial legislative council to determine the names," Syahrir said.

The regional legislative council is reviewing a list of candidates and is expected to forward a recommendation to the Ministry of Home Affairs soon.

Abilio Soares is the province's fourth governor since the province was integrated into Indonesia in 1976.

He replaced Mario V. Carrascalao in 1992 who served two terms as governor. (33/mds)