East Timor presidential candidates in public debate

East Timor presidential candidates in public debate

Agence France-Presse, Dili, East Timor

East Timor's two presidential candidates held their first public
debate on Thursday, three days before an election which marks the
final step in the territory's long and bloody road to
independence.

Independence hero and overwhelming favorite Xanana Gusmao, and
his rival Francisco Xavier do Amaral, took turns answering
questions from the audience on how they would guide the world's
newest nation.

"The president should be able to guarantee that the laws and
regulations are implemented," Gusmao told the audience.

Analysts say Gusmao, if elected on Sunday as the largely
ceremonial head of state, may have a tense relationship with the
territory's biggest party Fretilin which will form the future
government.

Amaral said a president "should be an intermediary between the
government and the people."

The two, who on Friday will wind up their four-week campaigns,
tackled a wide range of subjects -- from how they view the
importance of amnesty for reconciliation to their priorities in
bringing stability in every field.

Sunday's vote will be only the third in the history of the
territory, which spent more than 400 years under Portugal
followed by 24 years of enforced Indonesian rule.

A UN-organized vote for independence in August 1999 triggered
a wave of bloodshed and destruction by pro-Jakarta militias in
which whole towns were destroyed and forced some 250,000 people
took refuge out of the province.

Last August East Timorese voted for a future parliament, with
the veteran pro-independence Fretilin securing 57 percent of the
vote.

Gusmao, in shirt and tie, appeared much more relaxed than a
suited Amaral.

Gusmao, 56, said participation by the people was a priority in
deciding on development. Amaral said his priority would be
national stability before anything else.

Both called for East Timor, as a new and small country with
limited resources, to develop ties with the world after
independence on May 20.

Amaral also stressed the need for good relations with giant
neighbors Indonesia and Australia. Gusmao has made similar calls
in the past.

"Differences of opinion is the essence of democracy," said
Gusmao, vowing to continue his campaign to reconcile pro- and
anti-independence factions.

"Let history be history," said the former anti-Indonesia
guerrilla chief who spent seven years in a Jakarta jail. He added
that justice should be meted out to those who deserve it but did
not elaborate.

In his campaign statement Gusmao has said he will press
parliament for an amnesty law allowing him to revoke the jail
terms of those convicted following the wave of militia violence
in 1999.

His firm stance in favor of amnesty would put him at odds with
Fretilin and other parties who strongly oppose amnesties for
those involved in the bloodshed.

Near the debate venue, some 200 university students angered by
their inability to attend the event due to space constraints
staged a noisy free-speech forum in a courtyard.

Amaral, 66, had nine days as East Timor's first president in
1975 before his term was interrupted by Indonesia's invasion.

This week the underdog candidate told AFP he is "not fighting
to win or lose" but for principles like peace and human rights.

Meanwhile, a minister said on Thursday the East Timor's new
government will give refugees until the end of this year to
return home from Indonesian West Timor and elsewhere.

"We will give them until the end of December," said Chief
Minister Mari Alkatiri, who will become prime minister after
independence on May 20.

Alkatiri said some of the tens of thousands still in West
Timor were unsure whether to come back because their homes had
been occupied by others. Others were not well informed about the
situation in East Timor.