Gusmao a reluctant presidential campaigner
Gusmao a reluctant presidential campaigner
EAST TIMOR: Independence hero Xanana Gusmao said on Tuesday he
would be happy to lose the former Indonesian territory's April 14
presidential election.
"If I lose, it would be better for me," the charismatic 56-
year-old former political prisoner told reporters during a visit
to Thailand.
If he wins, as he is widely expected to, Gusmao will lead the
world's newest nation beginning on May 20.
The only other candidate in the field is Xavier do Amaral, a
seasoned politician from the Association of Democratic Timor
Leste party.
"I hope Mr. Xavier can defeat me, because I am not interested
in being president," Gusmao said. "I will say again and again, I
do not want to be president." --AFP
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ATW-Madagascar-resistance
Madagascar governors regroup in rival capital
JP/10/ATW
Governors regroup in rival capital
MADAGASCAR: Supporters of embattled Madagascar President Didier
Ratsiraka said on Tuesday they had set up a rival capital to
regroup against protesters who seized control of Antananarivo.
Five of Madagascar's six regional governors declared the
eastern port of Toamasina their new stronghold on the Indian
Ocean Island as opposition leaders tightened their grip on
government ministries seized by protesters on Monday.
Hundreds of thousands of supporters of opposition leader Marc
Ravalomanana invaded government offices on Monday, aiming to
declare a final end to Ratsiraka's 23-year rule.
Ravalomanana's supporters accuse Ratsiraka, one of Africa's
longest serving rulers, of cheating during December presidential
elections to deny victory to Ravalomanana, the mayor of
Antananarivo.
Ravalomanana declared himself president last month on the
basis of a December election in which he insists he defeated
Ratsiraka. --Agencies
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ATW-Australia-immigrants
Amnesty tells Australia to look to own rights abuses
JP/10/ATW
Canberra told to look to rights abuses
AUSTRALIA: Human rights watchdog Amnesty International said on
Tuesday the Australian government should pay as much attention to
rights abuses in its own backyard as it does to violations
overseas.
In the first visit by an Amnesty chief to Australia to discuss
rights abuses, secretary-general Irene Khan said the government
should lead its people to a "humane and enlightened" approach to
refugees instead of fueling popular prejudices.
The criticism added to a litany of complaints by human rights
groups about Australia's mandatory detention of asylum seekers,
sometimes for years, while their refugee cases are processed.
Khan said the vilification of illegal immigrants by
Australia's conservative government and its refusal to end the
detention of would-be refugees had damaged the nation's
reputation for fairness.
Some 10,000 illegal immigrants have arrived in Australia in
the last two years, mostly by boat. --Reuters