domingo, 22 de abril de 2007

Media Release - Lu’Olo: “Youth of Timor-Leste, This is Your Time”

Francisco Guterres “Lu Olo” for President
“I shall be a President of all and for all”

Media release
22 April 2007

Lu’Olo: “Youth of Timor-Leste, This is Your Time”

“The yearly Cruz Juventude gathering in Los Palos with youth from all over the country is a wonderful example of young people coming together in peace and harmony, to celebrate their faith and values,” said FRETILIN President and Presidential candidate, Francisco ‘Lu’Olo’ Gutteres, speaking today in Dili. “It is also an opportunity for our country to acknowledge the great contribution that our youth make to our independence.

The constitution of Timor-Leste guarantees the rights of youth, as equal citizens of the country. In Timor-Leste, youth have a right to contribute to social and political development.

Accordng to Lu’Olo. “Youth have rights to share in the peace and prosperity of our country, not just in the future, but now, today.”

Lu’Olo spoke also of his own experiences. “I am personally indebted to the youth of this country”, he said. “When we were fighting in the mountains, it was the youth in the cities and the villages who helped us and supported us. Without the youth, there would be no independence.”

“We need to work together now, again, to overcome the crisis that has befallen our nation. Many young men and young women are now in leadership roles, helping to build their communities, our nation. Young people are involved in peacebuilding, in education, in health, in community development.”

Lu’Olo went on to make a specific commitment to take action on youth issues:

“As President, I commit to be the advocate of youth. I will give youth a central place in my presidency, by establishing a national non-partisan and inclusive Office for Youth Advocacy, staffed by young people. I will engage in regular dialogue with youth and youth organisations, and help them engage with government and religious confessions and non-government organisations. Already I have been an advocate with the government for the establishment of youth parliaments in the schools. As President, I will continue to support youth to mobilise their capacities now, to build the nation.”

When asked about the needs of youth in Dili, Lu’olo said:

“Too many people have blamed the youth for the violence and the crisis. I do not agree with this. Youth come to Dili with high expectations. Too often, they are disappointed. But most young people are doing excellent work, supporting their families, studying, helping their communities. We need to respect our young people, listen to them, and work with them as they find their own solutions to the problems they face.”

Lu’Olo said that he is already talking with youth and students about their visions and needs.

“I have heard youth and students tell me some of the things they want,” he said. “Youth want opportunities for long distance education in their own districts, instead of having to travel to Dili. They want Youth Resource Centres in the districts. They want help to develop their own peace and security initiatives, to do training, to learn computers, and to organise sports and cultural festivals. Youth want to work with women and farmers in rural areas, to establish co-operatives and livelihood projects. I know youth who are already doing these things now, and I undertake to support them to broaden and strengthen these initiatives. Youth in the districts want to be part of the modern world, and they have a right to it without being forced to leave their homes. I do not agree that quick-fix schemes like building dormitories for students in Dili are the answer.”

Lu’Olo concluded with a direct appeal to the youth:

“Youth have always played a central role in our struggle for independence. I say this to our youth: This is your time. Let us all continue to work together for the future of our country.”



For more information contact:
Harold Moucho (Lu Olo’s political adviser) (+670) 723 0048 (Dili)
Jose Manuel Fernandes (Lu Olo’s official election representative) (+670) 734 2174 (Dili)

http://www.luolobapresidente.blogspot.com, http://luolo.blogspot.com, http://www.timortruth.com

Comunicado de Imprensa - Lu Olo: “Juventude de Timor-Leste, esta é a vossa hora."


Francisco Guterres Lu Olo a Presidente
“Serei Presidente de todos e para todos”

Comunicado de Imprensa
22 de Abril de 2007

Lu Olo: “Juventude de Timor-Leste, esta é a vossa hora."


“O encontro Cruz Jovem, em Los Palos, com jovens de todo o pais é uma exemplo maravilhoso de jovens que se juntam em paz e harmonia, para celebrar a sua fé e os seus valores, " disse hoje o Presidente da FRETILIN e candidato presidencial, Francisco Guterres "Lu Olo", em Dili. "Esta é também uma oportunidade para o nosso país reconhecer a enorme contribuição que a nossa juventude deu para alcançar a nossa independência.

A constituição de Timor-Leste guarante os direitos da Juventude, como cidadãos dos paæis. Em Timor-Leste, a juventude tem o direito de contribuir para o desenvolvimento social e político.

De acordo com Lu Olo, "a Juventude tem direitos de partilha da paz e prosperidade do paæis, não só no futuro, mas sim também nos dias de hoje, agora."

Lu Olo falou também das suas próprias experiências, "Eu estou pesssoalmente em dívida para com a juventude deste país", disse ele. "Enquanto estivemos a lutar nas montanhas, foi a juventude nas cidades e nas vilas que nos ajudaram e apoiaram. Sem a juventude não teriamos independência."

"Nós precisamos trabalhar em conjunto, novamente, para ultrapassar esta crise que caiu sobre a nossa nação. Muitos jovens estão agora em lugares de liderança, ajudando na construção das suas comunidades, da nossa nação. Jovens estão envolvidos na construçnao da paz, na educação, na saúde, no desenvolvimento comunitário."

Lu Olo comprometeu-se especificamente em agir sobre os problemas da juventude:

"Como Presidente, eu comprometo-me a defendeder a juventude. A juventude terá um lugar central na minha presidência, estabelecendo um Gabinete para Defesa da Juventude, nacional, apartidário e inclusivo, com funcionários jovens. Eu terei diálogos regulares com a juventude e organizações da juventude, e ajudarei para que eles possam trabalhar com o governo, confissões religiosas e oraganizações não-governamentais. Eu já tenho defendido, juntamente com o governo, para o estabelecimento de assembleias de jovens nas escolas. Como Presidente, continuarei a apoiar a juventive para mobilizar as suas actuais capacidades, para construir a nação."

Quando questionado sobre as necessidades da juventude em Dili, Lu Olo respondeu:

"Muitas pessoas têm culpado a juventude pela violência e pela crise. Eu não concordo com isso. Os jovens vem para Dili com elevadas expectativas. Muitas vezes, são desapontados. Mas, a maioria destes jovens estão a fazer um excelente trabalho, apoiando as suas famílias, estudando, ajudando as suas comunidades. Nós precisamos respeitar os nossos jovens, escutá-los, e trabalhar em conjunto com eles para que possam encontras as soluções para os problemas que enfrentam.

Lu Olo disse que tem tido diálogos com jovens e estudantes sobre as suas visões e necessidades.

"Eu ouvi jovens e estudantes dizerem algumas das coisas que eles querem," disse Lu Olo, "A juventude quer oportunidades para educações à longa distãncia, nos seus próprios distritos, em vez de terem que deslocar-se a Dili. Eles querem Centros de Juventude nos distritos. Eles querem ajuda para desenvolverem as suas própria iniciativas de paz e segurança, para treinamentos, para aprenderem sobre computadores, e para organizarem festivais desportivos e culturais. A Juventude quer trabalhar com mulheres e agricultores nas áreas rurais, para estabelecer cooperativas e projectos de subsistência. Eu conheço jovens que já estão a fazer todas essas coisas, neste momento, e eu procuro apoiá-los para que desenvolvam e reinforcem as suas iniciativas. A juventude nos distritos qurem fazer parte do mundo moderno, e têm o direito a tal sem serem forçados a deixar as suas casas. Eu não concordo com os esquemas de emenda, como construção de lares estudantis em Dili, sejam a solução."

Lu Olo concluiu com um apelo directo à juventude:

"A juventude tem sempre desempenhado um papel central na nossa luta pela independência. O que eu tenho a dizer à juventude é: Este é a vossa hora. Vamos todos continuar a trabalhar em conjunto para o futuro do nosso país."


Para mais informações, contacte:
Harold Moucho (Assessor Político de Lu Olo) (+670) 723 0048 (Dili)
Jose Manuel Fernandes (Representante Oficial de Lu Olo para as Eleições) (+670) 734 2174 (Dili)http://www.luolobapresidente.blogspot.com/, http://luolo.blogspot.com/, http://www.timortruth.com/

Komunikadu Imprensa - Lu’Olo: “Juventude Timor-Leste nian, Imi nia tempu mak ne’e!”


Francisco Guterres "Lu Olo" ba Prezidente


Komunikadu ba Imprensa
Domingu 22 Abril 2007

Lu’Olo: “Juventude Timor-Leste nian, Imi nia tempu mak ne’e!”

Kandidatu Prezidensial Francisco Gutrres “Lu Olo” ohin ható ninia komprimisu atu harii Gabinete Apoio Juventude se nia eleito Prezidente Republik, nunee Juventude bele fo Kontribuisaun bot liu ba governasaun Timor-Leste nian.

“Hau se fo Juventude sira hau nia atensaun makás no fo ba sira fatin bot liu iha hau nia Prezidensia se hau mak eleito Prezidente Republika. Hau se harii Gabinete Nasional ba Apoiu Juventude, ne’ebe la’os partidáriu, maibé, inclusivu, ne’ebé Jovens sira rasik maka kaer servisu iha laran.”

LuOlo kolian liafuan nee iha Dili bainhira nia ható ninia saudasoens ba Jovens sira mak foun dadau halibur iha Lospalos ba sorumutu Cruz Joven. “Sorumotu tin’tinan Cruz Juventude iha Lospalos ne’ebé halibur jovens hosi Timor-Leste tomak fó exemplu furak ida ba juventude tamba sira hamutuk ho dame no fó laran ba malu, halo selebrasaun ba sira nia fiar no valores,”dehan Lu’Olo.

“ Ida nee oportunidade ba ita nia nasaun atu rekoñese kontribuisaun bot ne’ebé juventude fó ba ita nia independénsia. Juventude iha ona direitu atu hetan moos dame no prosperidade iha ita nia rain , laos deit aban bai rua, maibé, oras nee, ohin kedas.”

Konstituisaun Timor-Leste nian fó garantia ba direitus jovens sira nian, hanesan sidadaun sira seluk. Iha Timor-Leste, jovens hotu-hotu iha direitu fo sira nia kontribuisaun ba desenvolvimentu sosial no politiku nasaun nian.

Lu’Olo koalia mos kona ba nia experiénsia rasik. “Hau rasik iha tusan ida ké bot hó Juventude iha ita nia rain”, nia dehan. “Bainhira ami funu hela iha foho, jovens sira hela iha sidades no aldeias mak fo tulun no apoiu ba ami. Se laiha jovens sira nee, ita la hetan ukun rasik a’an.”

“Ita presiza servisu hamutuk oras ne’e, bei’beik, atu hakotu krize ne’ebé mosu iha ita nia rain. Jovens barak, mane no feto, mak oras nee halao knaar lideransa nian, fó sira nia tulun ba haburas sira nia komunidade, ita nia nasaun. Juventude sira envolve a’an ba haríi dame, edukasaun, saúde, iha dezenvolvimentu komunitáriu.”

Nudar Przidente hau se fo apoio makas no sai poromoter bot ba Juventude. “Hau se halao bei’beik dialogu ho juventude no organizasoens juventude nian, no fo tulun ba sira ba servisu hamutuk ho governu, konfisoens relijiosas no ONG sira. Hau ho governu halo dadaun esforsu ba harii parlamentu juventude nian iha eskolas.”

LuOlo hato’o katak ema barak tebe-tebes mak fo sala ba jovens sira kona ba violénsia no krize iha Dili laran. “Hau la konkorda ho ida nee. Jovens sira mai Dili ho expectativas boot. Dala barak, sira laran taridu tamba la hetan buat ne’ebé sira buka . Maibé, jovens barak mak halao dadaun servisu diak tebe-tebes, sira fó apoiu ba sira nia famílias, sira estuda no fo tulun ba komunidades sira nian. Ita tenke respeita jovens sira, sé tilun ba sira, no servisu hamutuk ho sira bainhira sira buka dadaun solusaun ba sira nia problemas”.

Lu Olo dehan katak nia koalia ona ho jovens no estudantes sira kona ba sira nia vizaun no nesesidades: “Jovens hatete mai hau katak sira hakarak oportunidade atu hetan edukasaun iha sira nia distritu rasik, la presiza mai sidade Dili atu estuda (iha Bahasa Malaiu bolu “Pendidikan Jarak Jauh”). Sira hakarak Estadu harii Sentru Rekursus Juventude nian iha distritus. Sira hakarak tulun atu bele dezenvolve sira nia inisiativas rasik ba harii dame no seguransa iha sira nia fatin, fó formasaun, aprende komputador, no organiza desportu no festas kulturais.”

“Jovens sira hakarak servisu ho feto sira no agrikultor sira iha áreas rurais, harii kooperativas no projetu selu-seluk atu hetan buat ruma ba sira nia moris. Hau rasik koñese jovens barak mak halo dadaun buat balun nee ona, no hau promete fo apoio atu sira bele halao sira nia inisiativas barak liu tan no makas liu tan. Juventude iha distritus hakarak halo parte mundu modernu, sira iha direitu hetan ida nee, maibé , hela nafatin iha sira nia uma. Hau la simu hanoin hanesan harii dormitórius ba estudantes iha Dili. Nee la’os solusaun lo’los ba sira nia nesesidades no hakarak.”

Lu Olo ramata ho apelu diretu ba jovens sira:

“Juventude sira mak ita nia asu uain iha ita nia luta ba independénsia. Hau hatete ba jovens sira: Juventude. Hau hahú kontribui ba ita nia luta bainhira hau sei klosan. Hau aprende ho maun no bin sira, liu liu ho Vicente Reis, Sahe, ne’ebé sai hau nia mata dalan iha tempu ne’eba. Hau aprende ho sira halao ita nia luta libertasaun. Iha tinan lima nia laran, ita kaer kuda talin ita nia rain nian. Ita hetan susesu barak, maibé, iha moos problemas barak. Hotu-hotu tenke buka solusaun ba prolemas hirak ne’e. Imi nia tempu mak ne’e! Mai ita servisu hamutuk nafatin ba futuru ita nia rai doben nian.”


For more information contact:
Harold Moucho (Lu Olo’s political adviser) (+670) 723 0048 (Dili)
Jose Manuel Fernandes (Lu Olo’s official election representative) (+670) 734 2174 (Dili)

http://www.luolobapresidente.blogspot.com, http://luolo.blogspot.com, http://www.timortruth.com




Komunikadu imprensa

22 Abril 2007





Atu hatene ta'an informasaun, bele dere arame ba:

Harold Moucho (Lu Olo ninia konselleiru polítiku) (+670) 723 0048 (Dili)

José Manuel Fernandes (Reprezentante ofisial Lu Olo nian ba eleisoens) (+670) 734 2174 (Dili)

http://www.luolobapresidente.blogspot.com , http://luolo.blogspot.com, http://www.timortruth.com

Still Struggling for Independence: elections in Timor Leste - by TIm Anderson

Still Struggling for Independence: elections in Timor Leste
By Tim Anderson


‘Independence is not an end, it is the beginning of self rule’ – Kofi Anan, May 2002


Australian representations of elections in Timor Leste have reflected the wishful thinking of an elite. Media coverage of the Presidential elections focused almost exclusively on the pro-Australian candidate, Jose Ramos Horta, and commentaries over a future government keenly search for a Xanana-led coalition that might upset the currently Fretilin dominated parliament.

The fact that Francisco (‘Lu Olo’) Guterres, the man who won the first Presidential round, was not seriously profiled by any Australian media outlet should give us pause to reflect on the quality of information provided. To win the first round while opposed by the incumbent President, the incumbent Prime Minster, the hierarchy of the Catholic Church and the Australian elite is quite an achievement. It shows that Fretilin as a force for independence still resonates strongly with the East Timorese people.

There was a great deal of media speculation over possible election fraud, pointing a finger at Fretilin. This was remarkable given the high level of international observers and the open anti-Fretilin bias of the electoral authority. Electoral chief and Catholic Church representative Martinho Gusmao publicly endorsed opposition leader Fernando Araujo before the election, then made a false claim that votes in pro-Fretilin Baucau were massively over-subscribed. European Union observers contradicted him.

What of Lu Olo? He was a guerilla leader for the entire resistance period, Speaker of Parliament for over five years and remains a loyal member of Fretilin. Mari Alkatiri, the former Prime Minister reviled by the Australian media, is still General Secretary of the party. So while the coup attempt and foreign intervention have undoubtedly shaken confidence in Fretilin, the first round has demonstrated that no other party in Timor Leste has anything close to its support.

Recall that an alliance of sorts was formed at the time of the first Presidential election of April 2002, where Fretilin agreed to support Xanana Gusmao, provided that he ran as an independent. Xanana’s only opposition was Francisco Xavier do Amaral from the ASDT (Timorese Social Democratic Association). Fretilin had already gained an outright majority in the August 2001 elections for a constituent assembly, which went on to become the nation’s first parliament.

Prior to the 2006 crisis, a major political achievement was the effective combination of the strategic vision of Alkatiri’s Fretilin, the charisma of Xanana and the diplomacy of Ramos Horta. Despite a tiny budget (increasing in 2007, with oil revenue) they began the institutions of a modern state, expanded education, rehabilitated their rice fields, developed a major health program and clawed back several billion dollars in oil and gas revenue from the Howard Government.

Alkatiri attracted most Australian hostility, particularly over the protracted oil and gas talks. Ramos Horta was the weak link. I have detailed elsewhere (Timor Leste: the Second Australian Intervention) how he attempted three compromises, all of which would have pleased Howard and Downer but resulted in less revenue for his country. Little wonder he emerged as the Australian favorite.

Xanana maintained an aloofness from party politics, a stance which aided his major political project of reconciliation. He forgave the Indonesian generals (despite a lack of repentance on their side) and attempted to reintegrate former militia members into local communities.

However this aloofness evaporated in the crisis, as Xanana indirectly supported coup leader Alfredo Reinado and bitterly attacked Fretilin. As President he demanded the resignation of Mari Alkatiri, using a video copy of a notorious ABC program which had relied on the word of one of Reinado’s allies to accuse Alkatiri of arming a ‘hit squad’ to kill his political opponents, and of having already murdered a number of them. A UN investigation into the crisis (‘Report of the United Nations Independent Special Commission of Inquiry for Timor-Leste’) later discredited this story.

The Australian media, however, clings to the ‘hit squad’ theory, gaining some comfort from the conviction of Alkatiri ally and former Interior Minister Rogerio Lobato for the offence of distributing police weapons to civilians. Lobato, appealing his conviction, maintains these acts were justified during a coup attempt, when the police force had disintegrated.

With coup leader Reinado still at large, but apparently no longer considered a political asset or a threat by either Xanana or the Australians, the politics of Timor Leste seem to have returned to a somewhat more ‘normal’ footing. But it is a political process badly damaged by violence, dislocation and mistrust.

Ramos Horta may still win the Presidency from Lu Olo in the second round. However this depends more on voter perceptions than on the small opposition parties’ ability to deliver ‘blocs’ of votes, as in a more class-based party system. Ramos Horta has international recognition but Lu Olo is the ‘grassroots’ candidate. Many of the epithets thrown at Mari Alkatiri - that he was arrogant and an exile during the struggle - now apply to Ramos Horta, not Lu Olo. In any case, a Ramos Horta Presidency would not be a major barrier to a Fretilin-led Government. East Timorese are used to having a figurehead, non-Fretilin President, and a Fretilin Government.

Xanana Gusmao’s descent from the Presidency to party politics is a far more uncertain path. His role in the crisis and his open anti-Fretilin hostility has damaged his own standing, as well as that of Fretilin. After his passive support for the coup, much of the army leadership will not trust him. His attempt to recreate a ‘CNRT’ coalition, using the initials of the earlier coalition which included Fretilin, is a gamble which depends upon cobbling together a number of small parties whose only common theme is opposition to Fretilin.

On the other side, Fretilin will have suffered from their apparent inability to guarantee stability and the persistent attempts to blame the government for the coup. Fretilin may not be able to regain the outright parliamentary majority it has held since 2001. On the other hand, the Presidential first round tells us Fretilin is still the major political force in the country. Its vote could still exceed 40% in the parliamentary elections. The competition would then be between a Fretilin-led coalition and a less coherent Xanana-led coalition.

Personalities apart, neither Xanana nor Ramos Horta offer much of a strategic alternative to Fretilin. Of course, both participated in many of the Fretilin-led Government’s campaigns, including those which sought to bring in new development partners (e.g. China for oil and gas and Cuba for health). Some differences have emerged. Ramos Horta has said he favours ‘greater privileges’ for foreign investors, and recently proposed a radical reduction in business taxes and tariffs. This would, however, increase government reliance on oil and gas revenues. Xanana’s one recent suggestion has been to break the controlled release of revenue from the Petroleum Fund. So the main policy departure of a Ramos Horta-Xanana-led coalition would seem to be spending up the oil wealth faster.

Fretilin, for its part, has an experienced group of Ministers, including Deputy Prime Minister Estanislau da Silva, several senior women ministers including Maria Boavida and Ana Pessoa, a strong party machine, widespead membership and has shown its skills in coalition building. Even with an absolute parliamentary majority, Fretilin recruited independent MPs, such as Health Minister (now Deputy PM) Rui Araujo, Finance Minister Fernanda Borges, Education Minister Armindo Maia, Labor Minister Arsénio Bano and Foreign Minister Jose Ramos Horta into the Government.

A Fretilin-led coalition government thus seems a more likely outcome of the coming parliamentary elections than a Xanana-led coalition. The return of Mari Alkatiri as Prime Minister is also possible. Just how the constellation of forces that deposed Alkatiri would react to this is not clear. Expectations have been raised by the intervention and anti-Fretilin push. In particular, it seems unlikely that Xanana imagines he is trading in his Presidency to become opposition leader.