E. Timor PDI has new chief

DILI, East Timor: Gabriel da Costa was elected the new chairman of the provincial branch of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) in a local congress on Friday.

The congress also selected the branch's executive board and the nine-member advisory council.

Gabriel said he would focus on how to win more votes in the youngest province for the party, a nationalist and Christian alliance, in the 1997 general election.

He pledged to continue consolidation and reform organizational management, Antara reported. (pan)