Avelinho Coelho, the secretary-general of the Timor Socialist Party (PST) said the Constituent Assembly to be formed after the 30 August election must not be structured like the now-dissolved National Council.
He said under the NC, it was UNTAET which was actually holding power rather than the people.
“The regulations that were passed in the NC reflected the needs of the administration and not that of the people. These regulations did not take into account actual realities,” said Avelino.
Avelino, a former NC member, said he did not want to be nominated as a candidate for the Constituent Assembly because he was wary it might be like the National Council.
“I do not want to be in a so-called legislative body where I will be used as a rubber-stamp and cannot perform my duties as a people’s representative,” he added.
Though Avelino said he was not a candidate, he, however, would support other PST candidates to the Constituent Assembly.
He said PST would begin organizing labourers and farmers because they were the most downtrodden in the country.
Socialist Party of Timor (PST):
“We have liberated our country but the
people are yet to be free. Our people will not be free if we do not fight
for their rights and liberate them. But in fighting for independence we
must also fight for a change of the political system….”
--- PST President Pedro Martires
da Costa. (STL 20/7/01)
Jul
20 ETO: Constituent Assembly Elections and the Political Parties
Report added July 24
"PST: Advocates Marxism as an analytical
tool and communism as its ideal. Has recently often played a mediating
role in labour disputes." East Timor Observatory
Jul
19 TP: PST does not want Constituent Assembly to be like National Council
News from ETimor added July 20
“The regulations that were passed in the
NC reflected the needs of the administration and not that of the people.
These regulations did not take into account actual realities, ... I do
not want to be in a so-called legislative body [the Constituent Assembly]
where I will be used as a rubber-stamp and cannot perform my duties as
a people’s representative,” Avelinho Coelho, the secretary-general of the
Timor Socialist Party (PST)
Jul
4 GLW: New party in East Timor faces election challenge
Article added July 12
"In the lead-up to the elections, the
PST [Socialist Party of Timor] has launched
a new political manual designed to give a basic introduction to the party
for new members. The 15-page publication sets out, and answers, “frequently
asked questions” about the PST: its structure, its program on social, political
and economic issues. The PST has put forward 75 candidates for the Constituent
Assembly election, 19 of whom, including its top candidate, are women.
In a surprise move, the list does not include its high-profile general
secretary, Avelino Coelho da Silva. Coelho said he would be focusing his
attention on other areas of the party’s activities." Vanya Tanaja
April
2001 ACFOA: Walsh: East Timor's Political Party Profiles: PST Complete
text of report [150KB] added May 22
"Socialist Party of Timor is a
Fretilin
splinter party. Founded in the 1990’s in Indonesia it grew out of student
and labour groups based in Jakarta and other Indonesian cities where East
Timorese studied and worked. Its membership is predominantly youth but
it includes a number of older FALINTIL and FRETILIN members from the left
wing of FRETILIN. It is based on Marxist-Leninist principles of philosophy
and organisation and, through peaceful educational means, is dedicated
to the construction of a socialist, classless society in East Timor liberated
from all forms of colonialism, imperialism, paternalism and exploitation.
It is primarily concerned with the situation of workers and farmers. ...
PST has international links with a range of political organisations including
the Portuguese Communist Party, the Dutch Greens, the Democratic
Socialist Party (DSP) in Australia and PRD in Indonesia." Pat
Walsh, Human rights consultant,
Australian
Council for Overseas Aid
Bahasa Indonesia:
Maret
2001 ACFOA: Partai-Partai Dan Kelompok-Kelompok Politik Di Timor Timur:
PST Téks
[150KB] added June 29
"Partai Sosialis Timor adalah partai
yang terpecah dari Fretilin. Didirikan pada tahun 1990an di Indonesia,
partai ini bertumbuh dari mahasiswa dan kaum pekerja yang berpusat di Jakarta
dan kota-kota lain di Indonesia di mana orang Timor Timur belajar dan bekerja.
Keanggotaannya sebagian besar adalah pemuda, namun termasuk beberapa orang
anggota Falintil dan Fretilin yang lebih tua dari sayap kiri Fretilin.
Partai ini berdasar pada prinsip-prinsip filosofi dan organisasi Marx dan
Lenin dan, melalui jalur-jalur pendidikan yang damai, partai ini diabdikan
untuk pembentukan masyarakat Timor Timur yang sosialis dan tidak mengenal
golongan kelas bebas dari kolonialisme, imperialisme, paternalisme dan
eksploitasi. Partai ini terutama menaruh perhatian pada situasi para pekerja
dan petani. ... PST memiliki hubungan dengan sejumlah organisasi politik
internasional termasuk Partai Komunis Portugis, Partai Hijau Belanda, Partai
Demokrasi Sosialis (DSP) di Australia dan PRD di Indonesia." Pat
Walsh, Badan Bantuan Luar Negeri Australia
Portuguese:
Mar
5 OTL: Partidos políticos e Forças pró-independência:
PST Report
"PST: O Partido Socialista Timorense
é mencionado sempre que há movimentações de
carácter laboral; organizador de manifestações e reivindicações,
negociador entre grevistas e empregadores ou para acalmar um protesto mais
veemente. Usa o marxismo como ferramenta, diz Avelino Coelho da Silva.
"Não aceitamos o argumento de que os partidos políticos
dividem Timor Leste, antes o fará a falta de cultura democrática"
(IPS, Darwin, 14-4)." Observatório
Timor Leste
Mar
5 ETO: Political parties and Pro-Independence Forces: PST
Report updated Apr 27
"Socialist Party of Timor PST:
The Timorese Socialist Party is always mentioned whenever an event is labour-related.
It organises workers’ demonstrations and their employment-related claims,
negotiates between strikers and employers, and intervenes if a protest
becomes too rowdy. It uses Marxism as a tool, says Avelino Coelho da Silva.
"We don´t accept the argument that political parties will divide
East Timor – rather the lack of democratic culture will" (IPS, Darwin,
14-4)."
East Timor Observatory
BD: Peoples' Participation - A collection of recent media releases, reports and articles [section on elections]