Gusmao kicks off presidential campaign

Gusmao kicks off presidential campaign

EAST TIMOR: East Timor independence hero Xanana Gusmao launched on Friday his campaign for the presidency of what will be the world's newest nation, calling for peace and reconciliation after 24 bloody years under Indonesian rule.

"The spirit of unity that galvanized us together in the difficult and long 24 years of resistance must continue to guide us," he told a cheering crowd of more than 1,000 in a Dili gymnasium.

"Reconciliation is an integral part in the process of unity, in the vision for the future."

"Long live Xanana," members of the crowd shouted as the former guerrilla leader and prisoner of Indonesia officially began his campaign for the April 14 election.

Gusmao, accompanied by his Australian wife Kirsty and their baby son Alexander, said his only purpose in life was "to serve East Timor and to serve the people". -- AFP