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
;REUTERS;AFP;KOD; ANPAi..r.. 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
;REUTERS;KOD; ANPAu..r.. 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