Rival candidate clears way for Gusmao

Rival candidate clears way for Gusmao

EAST TIMOR: A candidate in East Timor's upcoming presidential election on Tuesday announced a concession which will allow his only rival, independence hero Xanana Gusmao, to stand in the poll.

Francisco Xavier do Amaral said the two parties supporting him in the April 14 poll would drop their logos from ballot papers, following a threat by Gusmao to withdraw from the election over the issue.

Gusmao, the hot favorite to win the poll, is angry at a requirement by the United Nations Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) that candidates use party logos on ballot papers.

Gusmao, 56, was nominated by nine political parties but on his condition he would only run as an independent. He says the logos compromise this status and threatened on Saturday to withdraw. --AFP