The President of the Baucau Diocese Youth Commission Father Martinho Gusmao said there were three interesting aspects in Sunday’s signing of the National Unity Pact.
“The first aspect is the support of the people. The second is the configuration of political parties to face the future and the third is the redefinition of the role of moral politics,” he said in an interview with STL.
He said the support of the people for the National Unity Pact could be seen at the huge turnout on Sunday at the Democracy Field in Dili.
“When Fretilin signed the National Unity Pact, the crowd just applauded.
And they gave the same applause to PSD and all other minor parties. Whether they necessarily understood the full pact or not is another matter,” said Father Martinho.
He said the enthusiasm of the people, seen in Dili on Sunday, was a clear indication that they were no longer afraid of party politics. But the people, he said, were now observing political parties to see whether they could deliver the goods.
“Though they applauded loudly when Fretilin signed the pact, there was still doubt on whether the party could fulfill its future role. The emotion was because Fretilin was the party that fought to free Timor Lorosae in the former CNRT,” added Father Martinho.
On the redefinition of moral roles, Father Martinho said the roles played by Dili Bishop Carlos Ximenes Belo and independence leader Xanana Gusmao was at times entertaining and funny.
“Bishop Belo is behaving like a political figure, while Xanana is taking more of a moral stance,” he said.
“How can a man of robes speak politics? And how can a man not ordained as a priest speak on morals? This is a really interesting development.”
But at the moment, said Father Martinho, Xanana Gusmao is still the central figure in Timor Lorosae.
“In our society we can go on talking about democracy. But for democracy in Timor Lorosae, I will choose Xanana Gusmao.”
See also:
Jul
9 STL: National Unity Pact signed News from ETimor added
July 11
"The long-awaited National Unity Pact
was at least signed by 14 political parties last night. Only two parties
opted to stay out of it the National
Party of Timor (PNT) and National Republic Party of Timor Leste (Parentil).
... Political parties that signed the National Unity Pact will be bound
by 14 clauses. The most important clause is that all parties must accept
unconditionally the results of the UN-supported popular consultation on
30 August 1999, whereby the Timorese overwhelmingly voted to separate from
Indonesia. ... Also, all the political parties, in the pact, agreed to
refrain from violence ... " Suara
Timor Lorosae