Xanana designates Darwin as his base

Xanana designates Darwin as his base

DARWIN, Australia (Agencies): East Timorese resistance leader
Jose Alexandre "Xanana" Gusmao arrived here on Sunday after
fleeing Indonesia with a pledge to soon begin "commuting" to his
homeland.

Gusmao, who was freed by Indonesian authorities earlier this
month after seven years in prison and house detention in Jakarta,
was whisked to a car on arrival and taken away before reporters
could ask him any questions.

The head of Gusmao's National Council for Timorese Resistance
(CNRT) in Australia, Joao Carrascalao, told reporters that Gusmao
would commute between Darwin and the East Timor capital of Dili,
a two-hour flight to the north.

He said Gusmao would form a virtual government in exile until
a United Nations-backed multinational force, set to begin
arriving in East Timor on Monday morning, restored security to
the devastated territory.

"While security cannot be guaranteed by the international
forces in East Timor, then we will have to commute from Dili and
Darwin," he said.

"His life can't be guaranteed in Dili," Carrascalao said.
"Darwin is very close to East Timor. It (Australia) is a free and
democratic country where we can work without the sort of pressure
that you have in Jakarta."

He gave no further details.

Gusmao arrived on a commercial flight from the Australian city
of Cairns, but slipped out a side exit, eluding dozens of waiting
journalists and supporters.

Carrascalao claimed that Gusmao left Jakarta because of death
threats by "fundamentalists". He did not elaborate.

Gusmao had taken refuge in the British embassy in Jakarta
since his release from detention.