A collection of recent FRETILIN speeches, documents, statements, news and reports. FRETILIN formed in 1974 to pursue full independence for East Timor and was the main party of the resistance throughout Indonesian occupation.
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Contents:
Statements
& Documents:
FRETILIN,
FALINTIL,
OPMT & Juventude Lorico Asswain
Updated Oct 31
Reports
re FRETILIN & FALINTIL Updated
Jan 16, 2002
News
re FRETILIN & FALINTIL Updated
Feb 16, 2002
Who
is FRETILIN? Updated
May 16
Who is
OPMT? Updated Mar 17
Statements
& Documents from:
FRETILIN, FALINTIL,
OPMT
& Juventude Lorico Asswain
Note: FALINTIL (The Armed Forces for National Liberation of East Timor) was FRETILIN's military front up until Feb 1 2001.
Oct
27 RDP: Timorese leader rejects fresh general elections after
independence
Interview added Oct 31
"I can assure you that we will not have
general elections. I am saying this on behalf of the party which holds
the majority in the constituent assembly. [FRETILIN] ... I am a
member of the constituent assembly, an
elected
and sovereign body, and it will be the assembly that shall decide
this.
... when we laid down the electoral law, and when we discussed these
elections,
discussions that also took place at the CNRT [the
National
Council of the Timorese Resistance, now defunct], it was decided
that
the constituent assembly would become a legislative and parliamentary
assembly."
Mari Alkatiri, chief minister of the provisional
government
Sep
7 RDP: New ETimorese gov't sets anti-poverty fight as main objective
Interview added Sep 10
"The eradication of poverty needs to be
the main priority of this country. This means we should not only
improve
agricultural production, but we should also improve the educational
system,
the health service, the housing stock and the supply of water and
electricity.
These can be achieved in several ways: Firstly, through the
decentralization
of development, secondly, by solving the poverty problem, thirdly, by
giving
incentive to what I would call the urban exodus ... " Mari
Alkatiri, secretary general of the winning party Fretilin
Revolutionary
Front for an Independent East Timor
Sep
6 RDP: Fretilin leader makes victory speech Speech
added
Sep 8
"Fretilin is proud to have carried out
and ensured an irreproachable election
campaign. ... Fretilin reiterates solemnly its intention to constitute
a government of inclusion, which will act as a catalyst for knowledge
and
the available synergies, to build and consolidate a state apparatus
which
is effective and without room for corruption, nepotism or the traffic
of
influence. A state where moral standards and ethics prevail in the
defence
of the public good and in the establishment and consolidation of a
democratic
state of law. Fretilin commits itself, before the Maubere people, to
guarantee
the construction of a democratic state of law in East Timor, and it
will
do its utmost so that nothing and no one is able to jeopardize this
objective."
Lu
Olo, Fretilin’s president
Sep
6 RDP: Timorese leaders reiterate commitment to government of inclusion
Interview added Sep 8
"We have said several times that instead
of thinking of a coalition between parties, we should think of a
coalition
of talents. This country needs skills to be reborn with vigour and this
is what we hope to do." Mari
Alkatiri,
Fretilin
leader & future first prime minister of the second transitional
government
of East Timor
Italian:
Aug
29 FRETILIN Italia: Coordinamento italiano di solidarieta’ con il
Popolo
Timorese Letter added Aug 31
"[Mari Alkatiri] E’ l’unico sopravissuto
dei fondatori del movimento ad essere rimasto fedelmente al suo posto e
gode della stima e dell’ affetto dei migliori quadri del partito.
Nonostante
costretto dall’invasione a vivere nella diaspora e’ riuscito in poco
tempo
a consolidare la sua posizione dentro il paese sebbene mussulmano e
yemenita
d’origine. E’ un uomo molto orgoglioso, puntiglioso e metodico.
Quest’ultima
qualita’ lo aiutera’ molto a Timor Est. Un assaggio delle sue capacita’
lo hanno avuto i negoziatori australiani in questi mesi che hanno
preceduto
l’ ultimo accordo sul petrolio timorese
secondo
il quale il solo 10% spetta al Governo di Camberra. Certo si tratta di
un primo successo e che altre insidie dovranno essere superate ma
grazie
a lui lasciateci godere questa soddisfazione." Davide
Corona, FRETILIN ITALIA
Jun
29 FRETILIN Italia: Open letter to FRETILIN Letter
added
June 30
"During the struggle of liberation a
surprising
energy has been emanated from our people and this energy has to
continue
to produce the propelling force that is necessary for the development
of
the country. ... The well-proportioned development of the Timorese
society
will be realized only within an economical policy that will dispense in
a fair way the wealth our country will produce. We have to avoid that a
without-laws capitalism lashes our people and our country." David
Dias Quintas Corona, FRETILIN rep in Italy
May
20 FRETILIN: Electoral Commitment 2001 Position
statement
added July 4
"The struggle of our People was always
aimed at restoring independence. FRETILIN, as the driving force of the
resistance, believed in the unwavering capacity of the Maubere People
to
resist and to win. ... Together we will Restore Independence and Free
the
People. Vote for FRETILIN." FRETILIN: Frente Revolucionária Do
Timor-Leste
Independente
Feb
12 FRETILIN: Open Letter to CNRT's President Letter
added
Feb 13
"I believe that the FRETILIN is ready
to rule our country and it is necessary, by my opinion,
that
the Timorese people elect their constituent assembly made-up of all
Timorese
political parties. Our people need a super-parties man, and you can
play
this role, as well as Nelson Mandela did in South Africa. The
discussion
between the political parties is positive : you have the prestige and
the
authority to enforce the rules of the Carta Magna." David
Dias Quintas Corona, FRETILIN'S Rep. for Italy
Feb
1 Taur Matan Ruak: Speech at Falintil transition ceremony
Speech added Feb 3
"Our final words are reserved to express
our deepest and most respectful tribute to the People of East Timor:
for
their determination and their steadfastness which motivated us; for the
love that you always gave in feeding us, nursing us and encouraging us;
for the heroism in resisting which inspired us; and for teaching us to
be humble and to fulfil our duty to defend our Homeland." Commander
Taur
Matan Ruak, FALINTIL (The Armed Forces for National Liberation of East
Timor)
Nov
28 2000 FRETILIN: Lu Olo's speech during the hoisting of RDTL flag
ceremony
Speech added Apr 27
"Today we commemorate the 25th anniversary
of Democratic Republic of East Timor (RDTL) proclaimed by Central
Committee
of FRETILIN. In order to officialise this historical date. We will
hoist
the flag that signify the clear conscious of the political, cultural,
moral,
and social responsibilities. To affirm the long responsibility of
FRETILIN
towards Maubere People during the toughest 24 years of resistance and
the
struggle to materialise the will of being free and independent. ...
We serve as an engine of construction,
for a tolerant society, and the backbone to achieve peace and stability
to our nation. We contribute decisively to finding ways in the process
of democratisation, to respect each other differences. Here we reaffirm
that democracy is our priority and another quest for our struggle.
Multi-party
system is the way to go without any complexity. We are embarking on a
history
of glory without violence. To respect the rights of Mau-Beres and
Bi-beres,
Children, young and old, as well as every Timorese with different
ethnic
background." Lu Olo, General Coordinator of FRETILIN
Portuguese:
15 de julho de 2000
Presidium
da Juventude Lorico Asswain de Timor-Leste Link to
documents
added Sep 2
From FRETILIN site: http://www.geocities.com/alextilman/presidiumjuventude0600_declfinal.html
" ... 1º Congresso Nacional da
Juventude de Timor-Leste: ... A Juventude de Timor-Leste, filha
legítima
e heróica do Povo Maubere, cumpriu o seu importante dever
durante
o processo da luta da resistência contra a ocupação
ilegal, quer na frente armada, como na frente clandestine e na frente
diplomatica.
Com o sacrifício de todo o Povo, a luta da resistência
forçou
a comunidade internacional a abrir os olhos para as flagrantes
transformações
do direito do Povo de Timor-Leste à
autodeterminação
e independência e, conseguiu quebrar os grilhues do poderio da
ocupação
militar e fascista indonésia. Uma luta determinante e
heróica
conseguiu levar-nos para uma nova fase, que é a da
libertação
do Povo de todas as formas de repressão e
exploração
e, também, para uma nova fase de luta que é a da
reconstrução
das estruturas sociais que viabilizara todo o Povo a viver livre da
ignorância,
doenças, repressões e explorações. ... "
Juventude
Lorico Asswain de Timor-Leste
Portuguese:
25-27 de Maio de 2000
Mini-Conferência Da OPMT, Dili Link to documents
added Sep 2
From FRETILIN site: http://www.geocities.com/alextilman/conferences.html
" ... A Mini-Conferência da
OPMT, reunida de 25 a 27 de Maio do ano 2000, considerando os
vários
entraves sócio-culturais a emancipação da mulher,
dentre os quais, se destacam o elevado grau de analfabetismo e a
dominância
dos valores patriarcais da sociedade timorense, decidiu propor a UNTAET:
- Para que crie mecanismos rápidos
de alfabetização das mulheres. Saliente-se que numa
população
de aproximadamente 800 000 habitantes, 63% são mulheres. Desta
percentagem
da mulher, 64% é iletrada;
- Para que conceda facilidades de treino
e formação técnico-profissional às mulheres
da OPMT e, em particular, as viúvas de guerra;
- Para que conceda recursos e meios que
permitam a OPMT educar e mobilizar a comunidade, a juventude e o homem
na defesa dos direitos humanos da mulher;
- Para que introduza leis
específicas
na Constituição que protejam os direitos da mulher;
- Para que crie os mecanismos que promovam
a criação de centros de apoio às vítimas de
violência doméstica .... " OPMT:
Organizacao Popular de Mulher Timor / The Popular Organisation of East
Timorese Women
Portuguese:
15-20 de Maio de 2000
FRETILIN: Conferência Geral De Quadros, Dili
Link
to documents added Sep 2
From FRETILIN site: http://www.geocities.com/alextilman/conferences.html
" ... Tem hoje início a
Conferência
Geral de Quadros da FRETILIN que ao longo dos próximos dias se
vai
debruçar sobre a sua vida institucional, analisar a
situação
prevalecente em Timor-Leste e perspectivar os caminhos a seguir, para
responder
aos desafios, que o futuro nos coloca. Esta Conferência
integra-se
na dinâmica de crescimento e de reestruturação
organizativa
da FRETILIN que está consciente do seu papel, da sua
responsabilidade
e da sua força. Força que lhe advém do Povo, de
Loro
Sa’e a Loro Mono, de Taci Feto a Taci Mane, de Oé-Cussi,
Ataúro
e Jaco, como disso nos deram testemunho as reuniões distritais
para
eleição dos delegados a esta Conferência. A
FRETILIN
está ciente da incomensurável
determinação
do Povo em garantir a Paz, a estabilidade e a unidade nacional.
Consolidar
a unidade nacional, reafirmar a Nação Maubere e construir
um Estado de direito democrático em Timor-Leste são as
grandes
linhas e os objectivos programáticos que devem orientar sempre a
actuação da FRETILIN, hoje, como há 26 anos
atrás.
A história da FRETILIN confunde-se com a História da
Resistência
á agressão e ocupação estrangeira. ... "
Discurso
de abertura do Coordenador Geral do Conselho Presidencial da FRETILIN
Camarada
Lu Olo
Reports re FRETILIN & FALINTIL
Jan
12 ETDF: Ruak on occasion of Offering of 2 Patrol Boats
Speech added Jan 16
"At a time in which the international
community had difficulty in understanding the role to be carried out by
FALINTIL
and much was being said on the need to disband and disarm our national
liberation army, Portugal did not once hesitate to discuss with us the
study we had drafted earlier and, later support it with a subsequent
study
carried out by the National Defense Auditor’s Association and the
Higher
Institute of Military Studies. From that point on we started to
elaborate
a plan for the establishment of the future defense force of our
country."
Brigadier General Taur Matan Ruak, Força de Defesa de Timor-Leste
December
2001 ETSG Team: Transformation of Constituent Assembly into Legislative
Assembly: Do we need a new election? Seminar
Proceedings
added Jan 4
"As the Constituent Assembly moving
swiftly
to finalize and approve the Constitution
of East Timor, debates about their transformation into Legislative
Assembly
has already taken place. Mr. Xanana Gusmao,
East Timor’s national leader began addressing the issue publicly by
arguing
that East Timor needs a new election to elect the members of the
Legislative
Assembly. The elections for the Legislative Assembly can be done
together
with presidential elections in 2002. The reaction against that option
was
mixed. Mr. Mari Alkatiri, Chief-Minister in Second
Transitional Cabinet and Secretary General of Fretilin, the
majority party in the Constituent Assembly and Mr. Francisco Guterres,
Lu-Olo, President of Fretilin and the Constituent Assembly disagreed.
They
argue that East Timorese need more funding to rebuild their houses and
providing food for their families instead of wasting money in new
elections.
... " ETSG Team: Paulino Guterres, BA; Francisco da Costa Guterres, MA;
Estanislau de Sousa Saldanha, M.Tech; Helder da Costa, Ph.D;
João
M. Saldanha, Ph.D
December
UNTAET: 2nd Tranisitional Government (Fact Sheets 3&4)
Info added Jan 1
"The Transitional
Government comprises a Chief Minister [Dr. Marí Bin Amude
Alkatiri,
Fretilin],
ten Ministers, seven Vice-Ministers and three Secretaries of State. The
Transitional Government is supported by a number of high-level East
Timorese
advisors who report to the Chief Minister. [List of the members of the
Second East Timor Transitional Government includes 6 Fretilin
Ministers,
2 Fretilin Vice-Ministers and 2 Fretilin Secretaries of State. ie. half
of the key positions]" UNTAET Press Office
Dec
15 IPRD: Indonesia, ETimor & The Western Powers: A Case Study
Research paper added Dec 18
"III.V The Real Agenda for
[Western
Humanitarian] Intervention: In contradiction to the [Fretilin]
party’s past outstanding record of mass support and promotion of
egalitarian
social reforms, Fretilin has expressed its intent to implement free
market
capitalism under Western tutelage. On 6th September 2001, World
Bank officials and UN administrator Vieira de Mello held high level
discussions with Fretilin representatives in Dili on what the new
government
would comprise. They also met with Mari Alkatiri, Fretilin’s
Secretary-General,
to discuss the drafting of East Timor’s
constitution.
Clearly, the UN remains the principal authority in the enclave, while
the
new government that is set to come to power in the future will be
structured
and dominated by international agencies, principally the World Bank and
the IMF, and thus foreign investors. The
implications
are disastrous." Nafeez Mosaddeq Ahmed, Director of the Institute for
Policy
Research & Development and a Researcher at the Islamic Human Rights
Commission
Dec
13 S-DCW: Washington Gave Green Light to Invasion of East Timor
Article added Dec 31
"The territory had divided into various
factions after the Portuguese revolution in 1974. The more popular
group,
the
Revolutionary Front for an Independent East Timor (Fretilin),
eventually
gained the upper hand and pushed for rapid independence. As Fretelin
gained
control of most of the territory, Jakarta began infiltrating troops. On
November 28, Fretelin declared East Timor’s independence, apparently in
the hope that it could persuade the United Nations to demand the
withdrawal
of Indonesia’s forces. It was in that context that Ford and Kissinger,
who had just completed talks with China’s leadership in Beijing, landed
in Jakarta.
As made clear by the newly disclosed
documents,
the overriding concern of U.S. policy in the region at the time was to
reassure pro-Western countries like Indonesia that Washington would
remain
engaged in the region despite the defeat of its allies in Indochina in
April." Jim Lobe, contributing editor, Foreign
Policy in Focus & journalist, Inter Press Service, an
international
news agency
Dec
6 NSAEB: Ford, Kissinger and the Indonesian Invasion, 1975-76
Article added Dec 31
"Background: The leftist military
revolt that overthrew Portugal’s authoritarian regime in April 1974
encouraged
nationalist movements in the Portuguese colony of East Timor calling
for
gradual independence from Lisbon-a position also initially favored by
the
new Portuguese government. One of these groups, the
Timorese Democratic Union (UTD), had greater support among Timorese
elites and senior Portuguese colonial administrators, while the
Revolutionary
Front for an Independent East Timor (Fretilin), with its
left-leaning,
social democratic program, had the support of younger Timorese and
lower-level
colonial officials. In January 1975 the two groups formed an uneasy
coalition.
Increasingly, Fretilin enjoyed the greatest public support and led the
push for rapid independence.(3) Early signals from the Indonesian
government
indicated that it was prepared to support East Timorese
independence,(4)
but Jakarta soon became interested in turning the region into the
country’s
twenty-seventh province." National Security Archive Electronic Briefing
Book No. 62
Oct
30 UNSC: ET women: ‘Arria formula’ meeting Speech
added
Nov 2
"Men’s and women’s roles changed
substantially
during the years of conflict and social disruption since 1974. A
significant
number of women assumed active roles in the
clandestine liberation front and the armed resistance. They were
soldiers,
they smuggled medication, food, armament, and information to the
resistant
movement hiding in the mountains. Will the women benefit from the
demobilization
and reintegration programs supported by the UN? In the absence of the
male
household head, women assumed new responsibilities in traditional male
income generation. East Timorese women want to build a society that
will
respect their newly acquired post-conflict roles, and will not force
them
to return to traditional powerless roles." Natércia
Godinho-Adams,
on behalf of East Timorese women’s
organizations
Sep
20 UNTAET: Second Transitional Government of East Timor
List of appointments added Sep 21
Fretilin appointments: "Dr. Mari
Bin Amude Alkatiri, Chief Minister & Minister of Economy and
Development;
Dra. Ana Maria Pessoa Pereira da Silva Pinto, Minister for Justice; Dr.
Antoninho Bianco, Minister for Internal Administration; Arq. Cesar
Vital
Moreira, Minister for Water and Public Works; Eng. Ovidio de Jesus
Amaral,
Minister for Transport and Communications; Eng. Estanislau Aleixo da
Silva,
Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries; Dr. Arlindo Rangel da Cruz,
Vice
Minister for Finance; Dr. Gregorio Jose da Conceicao Ferreira de Sousa,
Secretary of State of the Council of Ministers; Sr. Egidio de Jesus,
Secretary
of State for Natural and Mineral Resources" UNTAET
Sep
13 IFET: Constituent Assembly winners names and parties
List added Sep 13
"District Candidates Elected to the
Constituent Assembly:
(all Fretilin except Oecusse, whose
independent
is expected to vote with Fretilin)
Baucau: Elias Freitas; Lautem:
Armindo da Conceiçaõ Silva Freitas (Armindo da C. Silva);
Manatuto:
Flávio Maria Guterres da Silva
Viqueque: Januario Soares; Dili:
Cipriana da Costa Pereira; Aileu: Alfredo da Silva (Alfredo); Cova
Lima: Gervasio Cardoso de Jesus da Silva; Liquiça:
Joaquim
Barros Soares; Oecusse: Antonio da Costa Lelan (Independent); Ainaro:
Mário Ferreira; Manufahi: Arão Noé de
Jesus
da Costa Amaral (Arão Amaral); Ermera: José
Soares;
Bobonaro:
José Andrade da Cruz (José Andrade).
National Party Candidates Elected to
the Constituent Assembly:
Frente Revolucionária do
Timor-Leste
Independente (FRETILIN)
1. Francisco Guterres(Lú-olo) 2.
Marí Alkatiri 3. António João Gomes da
Costa(Má
- Hunu) 4. Ana Maria Pessoa Pereira da Silva Pinto 5. Judit Dias
Ximenes
6. Miguel Soares 7. Cézar Vital Moreira 8. Adalgisa M. Soares
Ximenes
9. Lourdes Maria Assunção de Jesus Mascarenhas Alves 10.
Estanislau da Silva 11. Adérito de Jesus Soares 12. Jorge da
Conceição
Teme 13. Francisco Jerónimo 14. Augusto da
Conceição
Amaral 15. Josefa A. Pereira Soares 16. Madalena da Silva 17.
António
Tilman Cepeda 18. Jerónimo da Silva 19. Maria Terezinha Viegas
20.
José Maria Barreto Lobato Gonçalves 21. Maria Teresa Hono
Lay Correia 22. Rui António da Cruz 23. Luisa da Costa 24. Maria
José da Costa 25. Francisco K. Lay 26. António Cardoso
Machado
27. Antoninho Bianco 28. Joaquim dos Santos 29. Manuel Sarmento 30.
Adaljiza
(Ajiza) Albertina Xavier Reis Magno 31. Gregório Saldanha 32.
Maria
Solana da Conceição Soares Fernandes 33. Francisco
Miranda
Branco 34. Jacinto Maia 35. Maria Avalziza Lourdes 36. Maria Genoveva
da
Costa Martins 37. Vicente Soares Faria 38. Rosária M. Corte Real
39. Osório Florindo 40. Jacob Fernandes 41. Joaquim Amaral 42.
Francisco
Carlos Soares 43. Constância de Jesus"
Aug
18 SMH: After 26 years, Timorese about to begin life again
Article added Aug 18
"Among Fretilin’s younger candidates is
Jose Lobato Goncalves, 29, the son of East Timor’s founding guerilla
commander,
Nicolau Lobato, who took to the mountains in the first hours of the
Indonesian
landing. His wife, Isabel, was caught in Dili and publicly executed on
the wharf. She had been nursing two-year-old Jose before the troops
dragged
her away, but managed to thrust him into her sister’s arms at the last
moment. ... Today he is a replica of his father in looks and
intelligence
and has an obvious future as a national leader. He is just one of
hundreds
of thousands of Timorese for whom life is resuming after 26 years: it
is
indeed a rebirth." Jill Jolliffe (in Dili), freelance journalist,
author
of 'Cover-Up: The Inside Story of the Balibo Five' [to be published Oct
16]
Aug
11 ABC RN: Jose Ramos Horta: Walk a Mile in my Shoes
Transcript
added Aug 13
"[Father] Domingos Soares is now an
example
of the blurring of the line between church and politics. The fact that
he, and many other Catholic priests became so involved with Fretilin’s
resistance movement, now means that the divide between the pulpit and
the
political party is very hard to pinpoint." Gerald Tooth
" ... they know exactly what they are
going to vote. This gentleman attended the Fretilin Congress in Dili.
So
far only two parties have ventured here, Fretilin which everybody
knows.
I found it interesting, one of them said, well during Indonesian
occupation
we would be beaten up because they said we are Fretilin, we tortured
because
we are Fretilin, we were imprisoned because we were Fretilin, we are
killed
because we are Fretilin. Well, let’s all vote for Fretilin. So the
Indonesians
did a very good service for Fretilin, labelling everybody Fretilin, so
they say now Let’s all vote for Fretilin." Jose
Ramos Horta
Portuguese:
Jul
20 OTL: As eleições para a Assembleia Constituinte e os
Partidos
Políticos Report added July 26
"Os ‘ministros’ que querem participar
na campanha eleitoral tiveram de suspender as suas
funções
no Governo. Assim fizeram Mari Alkatiri (Economia) e Ana Pessoa
(Interior)
da FRETILIN ...
FRETILIN: É o partido que
assumiu a resistência contra os invasores indonésios. A
resistência
perdeu a sua ligação com um partido único com o
seu
alargamento que conduziu à criação do CNRM
(Conselho
Nacional da Resistência Maubere) em 1987 e à saída
de Xanana Gusmão e José Ramos Horta em 1989. Apesar das
mudanças
a FRETILIN simboliza ainda para muita gente toda a luta que levou
à
independência. O presidente do partido, Lu Olo, um ex-comandante
das Falintil, declarou ter 200.000 apoiantes, e apresentou 11.000
assinaturas
para a sua legalização quando 500 eram suficientes (Lusa,
7-5-01)."
Observatório Timor Leste
Jul
20 ETO: Constituent Assembly Elections and the Political Parties
Report added July 24
"The cabinet ‘ministers’ who wanted to
stand for election and campaign, had to resign from the Government.
Such
was the case for Mari Alkatiri (Economy) and Ana Pessoa (Interior) of
FRETILIN,
...
FRETILIN: This is the party that
took on resistance against the Indonesian invaders before the vast
majority
of the population took up the cause. Its "national" resistance
character,
in detriment to its "party" component, led to the creation of the CNRM
(Maubere Resistance National Council) in 1987, and the departure of
Xanana
Gusmão and José Ramos Horta in 1989. In spite of the
changes
in the resistance structure, for many FRETILIN still symbolises the
struggle
that led to independence. The party’s President, Lu Olo, a former
Falintil
commander, stated it had 200,000 supporters, and presented 11,000
signatures
for its legalisation, when 500 were enough (Lusa, 7-5-01)." East
Timor Observatory
Jun
25 ETDF: Ruak at the Opening Session of the Defence Donors Conference
Speech added June 26
"We can now say that we have achieved
the structural transformation of FALINTIL into a Defence Force as
conceptualised
last year.
From yesterday’s guerrilla army based
and inspired by the commitment and determination of our People and on
the
courage and patriotism of its members who fought with conviction for
the
liberation of our Homeland, we are now in the process of shaping a
conventional
force." Brigadier General Taur Matan Ruak, East Timor Defence Force
Jun
14 CSUCS: Child Soldiers Global Report 2001 - East Timor Chapter
Report added June 25
"Children seem to have joined FALINTIL
voluntarily, often spurred by abuses committed by the other side and a
belief in the cause of an independent East Timor. Children involved
with
FALINTIL almost certainly suffered fatalities and severe injuries
during
the course of the conflict and thousands are believed to have been
detained
or executed. Apart from child soldiers, many other youth were also
involved
in clandestine work through pro-independence associations which
supported
the work of FALINTIL. This involved for example, organising
demonstrations
or collection and deliveries of supplies." Coalition to Stop the Use of
Child Soldiers
Portuguese:
May
17 OTL: Forças de Defesa de Timor Leste: custos da
segurança
Report added June 8
"O Conselho de Segurança decidiu
uma intervenção militar internacional em TL após o
voto a favor da independência mas não estabeleceu
claramente
os seus objectivos nem as perspectivas de futuro, o que levou a
interpretações
divergentes, à marginalização das forças
timorenses
da resistência armada e a atrasos na definição das
novas Forças Armadas de Defesa de TL. O bom senso acabou por
vencer
e as FALINTIL constituem a base dessas forças."
Observatório
Timor Leste
May
17 ETO: East Timor Defence Force: the price of security
Report added June 8
"After the Timorese voted for
independence,
the UN Security Council decided to send an international military
intervention
force to the territory. It did not, however, give the UN force a
clearly
defined mandate, and its mission was subsequently interpreted in
different
ways. This resulted in the Timorese armed resistance fighters being
marginalised,
and delays in decision-making about the territory’s future defence
forces.
Eventually, good sense prevailed, and the FALINTIL were called upon to
form the core of the new armed forces." East
Timor Observatory
April
2001 ACFOA: Walsh: East Timor's Political Party Profiles: FRETILINComplete
text of report [150KB] added May 22
"As its name suggests, FRETILIN
represented
a spectrum of members and views and was committed to a program of
radical
social, political and economic change and immediate total independence.
As much a social movement as a political party, it established itself
nationally,
undertook literacy and other development projects and built a strong
grassroots
following in rural communities which continues today." Pat
Walsh, Human rights consultant,
Australian
Council for Overseas Aid
Bahasa Indonesia:
Maret
2001 ACFOA: Partai-Partai Dan Kelompok-Kelompok Politik Di Timor Timur:
FRETILIN Téks [150KB] added June 29
"Seperti digambarkan oleh namanya,
FRETILIN
mewakili spektrum dan pandangan anggotanya dan memiliki komitmen pada
program
sosial radikal, perubahan politik dan ekonomi dan kemerdekaan penuh.
Merupakan
gerakan sosial sekaligus partai politik yang membentuk dirinya dalam
skala
nasional, mengangkat program kecakapan membaca dan menulis serta proyek
pembangunan lainnya dan memiliki pengikut yang kuat dari komunitas
pedesaan
yang masih berlangsung hingga saat ini." Pat
Walsh, Badan Bantuan Luar Negeri Australia
Portuguese:
Mar
5 OTL: Partidos políticos e Forças
pró-independência
Report updated Apr 27
"Oito partidos apresentam-se sob a
bandeira
da independência. Dos cinco partidos criados em 1974, quatro
foram
levados a colaborar, mais ou menos, com o ocupante indonésio. A
FRETILIN sempre se opôs à ocupação.
Consciente
da vantagem que adquiriu, a FRETILIN sente-se limitada na frente comum
proposta por Xanana Gusmão, e quer partir à conquista do
poder. Mas para alguns isso faz renascer a lembrança da guerra
civil
de 1974 e provoca apelos angustiados de Xanana Gusmão a favor da
unidade nacional." Observatório
Timor Leste
Portuguese:
Mar
5 OTL: Partidos políticos e Forças
pró-independência
Report updated Apr 27
"Partidos políticos: FRETILIN
- Frente Revolucionária de Timor Leste Independente, fundada
em 1974.
* Proclamou unilateralmente a
independência
nas vésperas da invasão e foi o principal partido da
resistência
contra a ocupação indonésia. Participou em 1998 na
formação do CNRT de que se retirou em 2000.
* Principais dirigentes: Mari Alkatiri.
Lu’Olo, Estanislau da Costa. A FRETILIN ocupa dois ministérios
no
Governo transitório: Economia (Mari Alkatiri) e Interior (Ana
Pessoa)."
Observatório
Timor Leste
Mar
5 ETO: Political parties and Pro-Independence Forces
Report
updated Apr 27
"There are 8 parties behind the
independence
flag. Of the five parties set up in 1974, four eventually collaborated,
to a greater or lesser extent, with the Indonesian occupiers. FRETILIN
always maintained its opposition to the occupation. Aware of its
present
advantage, FRETILIN now feels restricted as part of the united front
proposed
by Xanana Gusmão, and wants to leave it to conquer its own
territory.
For some, however, talk of such a move only rekindles memories of the
1974
civil war and impels Xanana Gusmão to appeal for national
unity."
East
Timor Observatory
Mar
5 ETO: Political parties and Pro-Independence Forces
Report
updated Apr 27
"Political parties: FRETILIN
– Revolutionary Front for an Independent East Timor, founded in
1974.
* It unilaterally declared independence
shortly before Indonesia’s invasion and was the main party of the
resistance
throughout the occupation. In 1998, FRETILIN took part in the founding
of the CNRT, leaving this umbrella organization in 2000.
* Leadership: Mari Alkatiri, Lu’Olo,
Estanislau
da Costa. FRETILIN currently holds two of the ministries in the
transition
Government: Finance (Mari Alkatiri) and Interior (Ana Pessoa)." East
Timor Observatory
Portuguese:
Feb
12 OTL: Movimentos e partidos Pró autonomia:
evolução
desde o referendo Report added Feb 15
"No interior de Timor Leste, um grupo
radical confronta-se, por vezes violentamente, com o CNRT e a Fretilin.
Reclama-se da República Democrática de Timor Leste
(RDTL),
proclamada pela Fretilin em 1975, mas o seu dirigente e a sua
prática
ligam-no a Abílio Araújo, defensor da autonomia na
Indonésia
aquando da campanha do referendo." Observatório
Timor Leste
Feb
12 ETO: Political Movements and Parties: pro-autonomy Report
updated Apr 27
"Inside East Timor, a radical Timorese
group is opposing, sometimes violently, the CNRT
and Fretilin. They are calling for a return of the Democratic Republic
of East Timor (RDTL), proclaimed by Fretilin in 1975. However, there
are
links between the RDTL’s leader and activities and Abílio
Araújo
who, at the time of the referendum, advocated autonomy within Indonesia
for East Timor." East
Timor
Observatory
Feb
14 LUSA: Fretilin Leader Offers Gusmao 'Unconditional' Presidential
Backing
News added Feb 16
"The president of East Timor´s
dominant party, Francisco Guterres, told Lusa Thursday that
Fretilin
would give Xanana Gusmao
“unconditional”
support in April 14 presidential elections, regardless of what form his
candidacy might take. Guterres, who is on a visit to Lisbon in his
capacity
as speaker of Dili´s Constitutent
Assembly,
said, however, that as a “national figure” he doubted Gusmao would
stand
for the presidency with the backing of opposition
parties." Lusa
Feb
13 LUSA: East Timor: Gusmao Rejects Fretilin ‘Pressure’ To Run as
Independent
News added Feb 16
"Independence leader Xanana
Gusmao said Wednesday he had not yet decided whether he would run
for
the presidency of East Timor in April 14 elections, adding that he
would
not bow to “pressures from anyone” to stand as an independent
candidate.
... With 10 days left to the deadline for formalizing presidential
candidacies,
Gusmao reiterated that he would not run as an independent nor as a
candidate
of the dominant Fretilin party, which he once led." Lusa
Jan
30 MFAC: Ramos-Horta on Fretilin Release added Feb 1
"I was very impressed by the moral and
political courage of the current Fretilin leadership in their
decision
to set up, early last year, its own investigation to establish the
facts
about what happened in the past. ... I am impressed by the maturity
that
all
political parties have shown thus far. The
democratic
elections of August 30, 2001, which included 16 political parties,
passed without one single incident, this is the result of the maturity
displayed by the leadership of all 16 parties, and credit must go to
impartial
East Timorese leaders such as Xanana
Gusmao
and Bishop Belo for their guidance.” Dr
Jose Ramos-Horta
Jan
29 AP: Horta: East Timor Asked to Admit Wrongdoing
News
added Jan 31
"East Timor will have to face up to
atrocities
committed by the liberation movement during the 25-year independence
campaign
if the new nation hopes for true reconciliation and peace, interim Foreign
Minister Jose Ramos-Horta said Tuesday. The mandate of a newly
established
truth commission has been extended back to 1974, when Portuguese
colonial
rule collapsed, partly so that human rights abuses committed by all
sides
and factions could be investigated, he said. After Indonesian troops
invaded
and occupied East Timor in 1975, civil war raged in the territory, with
the main pro-independence guerrilla group Fretilin battling
other
factions and the Indonesians.” he said." Peter James Spielmann
Jan
10 CNS: Former ETimor guerrillas receive job training at Salesian center
Article added Jan 16
"Cipriano Alves Amaral seems an unlikely
freedom fighter. The soft-spoken, 26-year-old grew up wanting to become
an electrician. Instead, he became a guerrilla, joining East
Timor’s
armed resistance movement four years ago. For two years, he fought from
the jungles surrounding the town of Same against Indonesia’s 24-year
occupation
of East Timor. The guerrillas, known by their Portuguese acronym, Falintil,
disbanded in February 2001, more than a year after the East Timorese
overwhelmingly
rejected Indonesian rule in a 1999 U.N.-sponsored referendum. Now more
than two years after the referendum, Amaral is learning to become an
electrician."
Christine Kearney, Catholic News Service
Oct
30-Nov 5 Tempo: The Disparity Between UNTAET and E.Timorese
Article added Nov 4
"Apart from the high cost of living, the
Timorese are also suffering from high
unemployment. No definite figures are currently available, however
about 18,000 former Falintil guerillas are jobless. “They have
no
other skills except fighting,” says Brigadier-General Taur Matan Ruak,
a commander in Timor Loro Sa’e’s military (FDTL). It seems the new
government
prefers smaller, more manageable and professional military units. So
it’s
no wonder there’s explosive resentment against the dollar-rich
international
staff of UNTAET. Life in Dili is so profitably enjoyable that many UN
officials
in Geneva have opted to move to Dili, where salaries are high, taxes
are
low and cost of living is cheap." Raihul Fadjri (Yogyakarta), Setiyardi
(Timor Loro Sa’e).
Sep
20 Alkatiri: Swearing-in Ceremony of Members of the Transitional
Government
Speech added Sep 22
"In greeting our Brother Xanana I solemnly
pay tribute to the men and women who fought for over 24 years in the
ranks
of our most glorious FALINTIL: It is with humbleness and
profound
respect that I greet the last Commander of our FALINTIL force and
present
Commander of the East Timor Defence Force, Brigadier General Taur Matan
Ruak. ... I wish to seize this opportunity to express our gratitude and
recognise the role played by the Security Forces - PKF, CivPol, ETDF,
the
legacy of our heroic FALINTIL, and the East Timor Police - in carrying
out the mission entrusted to them to guarantee law and order and
ensuring
peace and tranquillity throughout the electoral process." Mari
Alkatiri,
Head of Government, East Timor
Sep
20 KY: ETimor announces cabinet lineup News added Sep
21
"U.N. Transitional Administrator in East
Timor Sergio Vieira de Mello, announcing the lineup, said the cabinet
has
10 ministers, three secretaries of state and seven vice ministers. It
consists
of nine representatives from the Revolutionary Front for the
Liberation
of East Timor (Fretilin), two members of the Democratic
Party, Fretilin’s closest rival, and nine members not affiliated
with
any party. De Mello said they were selected “not on the basis of party
nominations but on the basis of their individual competence.” The nine
politically independent figures in the cabinet, he said, were chosen
“because
of their proven sectoral expertise and their demonstrated dedication
and
patriotism with as broad a geographical representation as was
possible.”
" Christine T. Tjandraningsih
Sep
17 KY: Independence veteran elected ETimor assembly speaker
News added Sep 19
"The 88-member assembly elected Guterres,
popularly known by his guerrilla name Lu Olo, after U.N. Transitional
Administrator
in East Timor Sergio Vieirra de Mello, who chaired the election, named
him as a single nominee in the election. ... Following his election,
Guterres,
who is coordinator of the presidential council of Fretilin, the
Revolutionary
Front for the Liberation of East Timor, asked the assembly to
cooperate and work together." Christine
T. Tjandraningsih
Sep
11 RDP: Church reportedly invited to help draw up constitution
News added Sep 13
"This is democracy. There will always
be parties which win, others which do not get votes. But what happened
to Fretilin is natural. It is the weight of history, people
have
suffered, they were tortured, some disappeared - all because they were
accused of belonging to Fretilin. Naturally the population, under the
weight
of history, has voted for Fretilin. But now I hope Fretilin will be
able
to meet the aspirations of the people. I hope they will pull up their
sleeves
and start working to meet these aspirations by creating more humane and
dignified living conditions." Dom Ximenes Belo, Bishop of Dili and
Nobel
Peace laureate
Sep
10 UNDP: FRETILIN's East Timor electoral victory confirmed
News added Sep 11
"East Timor’s Independent Electoral
Commission
(IEC) has endorsed the results of the 30 August elections, today
confirming
that the former resistance group, FRETILIN has won a 57 percent
majority in the Constituent Assembly. The number of seats falls short
of
the two-thirds majority needed to draft East Timor’s first Constitution
without consultation with other parties, ... " UNDP
Sep
6 RDP: Timorese leaders reiterate commitment to government of inclusion
Interview added Sep 8
"I think that Fretilin, above all, has
shown that it reality wants a government of inclusion which will have
people
from parties which did not even obtain 1 per cent in the elections, one
deputy - as long as the person has talent - this is a great historic
opportunity,
a golden opportunity for Fretilin to show that it is a party of
statesmen.
... I would like to see the entire process of reconciliation, of
inclusion
to involve UDT, a historic party
which
was not very successful in these elections." Jose
Ramos Horta, current foreign minister
Sep
6 UNTAET: Final Election Results Announced Today In East Timor
Briefing added Sep 7
"Fretilin is the winning party,
with 43 seats in the national election, and 12 of the 13 district
seats.
The 88-member assembly will consist of one representative from each of
East Timor’s 13 districts, with the rest of the seats divided on a
proportional
representation basis. The seat allocation on national seats is as
follows:
Frente Revolucionária do Timor-Leste Independente (Fretilin):
57.3
% of the vote, 43 seats; ... " UNTAET
Sep
4 WI: On the road to democracy, where the streets have no name
Interview added Sep 13
"We’ll take Fretilin as an
example.
Many people question why PD does not join the Fretilin. But for PD
members,
the priority is to democratize the process. We do not want this country
to be dominated by just one group. ... When we speak of the (type of)
people,
in Fretilin there is a tendency towards veteranism. The seniors are
considered
to have more rights or know more. This is a very patenalistic attitude
unwanted by the PDs. ... There is also the question of leadership. We
believe
in the necessity for a new generation. ... 70% of the top leaders of PD
are under 40. You can’t say we’re really youths ... we’re called the
post-75
generation." Partido
Democratico
(PD) leader, Fernando de Araujo
Sep
3 UNTAET: First Results Announced In Constituent Assembly Polls
Results added Sep 5
"The Independent Electoral Commission
today announced the final, yet-to-be-certified results from the 30
August
Constituent Assembly elections. District and national results were
announced
for five districts [Aileu, Ainaro, Covalima, Liquiça, and
Manatuto],
as well as the district representative for Lautem. All the district
representatives
provisionally elected thus far are representatives of the Fretilin
party."
UNTAET Daily Briefing 3 September 2001
Sep
1 RDP: UDT to challenge results of first free elections
Interview added Sep 4
"Sergio Vieira de Mello, head of UNTAET,
the UN Transitional Administration in East Timor, has replied to the
fraud
accusations, made by UDT [Timorese
Democratic
Union] leader Joao Carrascalao, after the [30 August] elections
[for the constituent assembly]. Sergio Vieira de Mello said these
comments
were alarmist and violated the spirit under which the political parties
signed a national unity pact. ... Vieira de
Mello also underlined the fact that Timor and its people would not
benefit
from the reopening of wounds inflicted in the past. Speaking in a press
conference, the UDT president blamed Fretilin
[Revolutionary
Front for an Independent East Timor] for crimes against humanity
and
demanded the UN to carry out a probe on the territory’s history of the
period between 1974 and 1975. He added that this was a necessary step
to
preventing criminals from ruling the country." RDP
Antena
1 radio, Lisbon, Portugal
Aug
30 Time Asia: Gusmao: What Happens Next? Interview
added
Aug 30
"TIME: Some people say that you
yourself need to account for alleged crimes committed by Fretilin
and
Falintil members. Gusmao: In May last year, at the
conference
of Fretilin, I asked members (to) apologize to the people for many
crimes.
I am ready also because I was central commander of Fretilin. Sometimes,
I think we should have a tribunal. If I have to go to trial, I’ll go."
Aug
29 AP: Large Number Of Voters Turn Up For East Timor Election
News added Aug 30
"Long lines formed in front of polling
stations in the morning twilight more than an hour before they opened
at
7 a.m. (2000 GMT Wednesday). The atmosphere was relaxed as people joked
with police who were ushering women and children to the front of the
line.
Election monitors said there were no reports of violence. ... Voters
will
choose the 88-member assembly that will write
the fledgling country’s constitution, and there was little doubt
who
would win. The Revolutionary Front for an Independent East Timor,
which led the country’s independence struggle, had a comfortable lead
in
polls." AP
Aug
27 ABC: Fretilin expects to win more than 60 seats
Interview
added Aug 29
"Fitzgerald: You have a reputation as
a socialist. Is that a perception?
Alkatiri [Sec-Gen, Fretilin]: “I always
refuse to be labelled. What I can assure you is that my main
pre-occupation
is people. How to help them, how to develop the country to such a level
that they can have what they need. I am not against the rich people but
I am really against poverty.” " Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Aug
16 STL: 200 ex-Falintil at UNTAET sit-in News from
ETimor
added Aug 18
"Domingos da Silva, spokesperson for the
ex-Falintil said the group of freedom fighters that did not meet the
grade
to enter the Timor Lorosae Defense Forces
(FDTL)
were in dire straits. “From January to May, these former Falintil
fighters
were getting US$100 a month as living expenses. Now they are struggling
because these payments from the IOM have stopped,” he added." Suara
Timor Lorosae
Aug
13 RDP: East Timorese political rivals exchange accusations
Interview added Aug 14
"We [FRETILIN] have already guaranteed
80 per cent [of the vote] but we would like to achieve 100 per cent for
two reasons: to allow our supporters and our members to carry on their
work without excluding others from working as well, and for this reason
we want to achieve 100 per cent. We have other reasons, for example, we
want to show the world that who fought the war was Fretilin, who
brought
democracy to Timor was Fretilin and who has been giving the freedom of
existence to the other parties is Fretilin." Mari Alkatiri, the
secretary-general
of Fretilin
Aug
13 SMH: Veterans of resistance struggle sniff election victory
News added Aug 13
"His name is distinctive, and in coming
months Australians may hear a lot more of the East Timorese
independence
leader LuOlo. The Department of Foreign Affairs [Australia] certainly
thinks
so, and earlier this year he was flown to Canberra to meet ministry
mandarins
for talks and a chance for them to get to know the man and the policies
he represents. Mr LuOlo, a native of the south-eastern town of Ossu,
said
to be the birthplace of East Timor’s warrior leaders, is head of
Fretilin
(Revolutionary Front for an Independent East Timor) the party tipped to
win the elections on August 30 by a landslide." Mark Dodd, Herald
Correspondent
in Dili
Jul
20 STL: Fretilin shakes Liquica town News from ETimor
added Jul 21
“But today we are gathered here full of
hope. Now we live free in a democracy. We do not have to be afraid of
the
enemy, because the enemy has left the country. Democracy, now, is not
the
same as democracy during the time of the Indonesians. Democracy now
will
bring us to the road of independence,” Luis Lobato.
Jul
16 JSMP: Militia member convicted of UNAMET staff murder
News from ETimor added July 17
"A former member of Team Pancasila militia
was today found guilty of murdering a UNAMET local staff member and
FALINTIL
supporter in Atabe village, Ermera district on the day after the
popular
consultation in which nearly eighty percent of East Timorese voted for
independence from Indonesia. ... This is the first case involving the
killing
of an East Timorese who was in part targeted for his role in working
with
the UN mission that supervised the ballot on 30 August 1999. Many other
local staff were similarly attacked in the violent aftermath." Judicial
System Monitoring Programme news service
Apr
2 STL: Alkatari: Xavier Has No Right To Give Ultimatums
Interview from ETimor added Apr 3
"Xavier was not the person who initially
started the Fretilin party. Xavier is not the founding father of
Fretilin.
When we formed Fretilin, as a party, that was when we invited Xavier
...
As far as I know, there is only one Fretilin. There is no Fretilin
ASDT,
Fretilin CPD-RDTL,” Mari Alkatari, Vice-President of Fretilin
Mar
12 TP: Fretilin Declaration: Do Not Commit Violence
News
from ETimor added Mar 20
"In the last few days, the
symbols of Fretilin, especially the RDTL flag, have been used by
certain
groups to create trouble and to deceive the people into carrying out
demonstrations,
violence and other undesirable actions." Lu Olo (president) and Mari
Alkatiri
(vice-president) of Fretilin
Mar
9 STL: Fretilin Not Behind CPD-RDTL News from ETimor
added
Mar 20
"Their [CPD-RDTL] actions on Wednesday
were criminal in nature. They are using the
Fretilin flag without our agreement. And we have reminded them
umpteen
times to stop using Fretilin symbols, but to no avail,” Mari Alkatari,
Fretilin Vice-President
Feb
14 STL: Presidential Issue: Fretilin To Nominate Xanana
News from ETimor added Feb 15
“Regardless of whether the party has its
own candidate or not, we have decided that Xanana be Timor Lorosae’s
first
president when the country becomes independent,” Lu-Olo, General
Coordinator
of Fretilin
Feb
1 Taur Matan Ruak: Speech at Falintil transition ceremony
Speech added Feb 3
"Our final words are reserved to express
our deepest and most respectful tribute to the People of East Timor:
for
their determination and their steadfastness which motivated us; for the
love that you always gave in feeding us, nursing us and encouraging us;
for the heroism in resisting which inspired us; and for teaching us to
be humble and to fulfil our duty to defend our Homeland." Commander
Taur
Matan Ruak, FALINTIL (The Armed Forces for National Liberation of East
Timor)
Feb
1 Xanana: Address at Transition Ceremony Of Falintil
Speech
added Feb 3
"As your [FALINTIL's (The Armed Forces
for National Liberation of East Timor)] former companion who shared the
same difficulties in the mountains, who failed in leading you while we
were reduced to less than one hundred men where as under the clear
leadership
of your Commander, Taur Matan Ruak, who enabled you to become an army
of
over one thousand five hundred soldiers I can only but express
here,
today, my admiration for the spirit of self-sacrifice that you showed
by
bearing yet another year of hardship in Aileu." Xanana Gusmao,
President,
CNRT/CN
Jan
24 GLW: `Fretilin will win first Timor election' News
added Jan 25
"We expect over 50% of the first elected
parliament -- definitely ... [Fretilin is] in the best position to
promote
tolerance and democracy" Estanislau da Silva, member of Fretilin's
central
committee
Jan
6 Manning: "People-centered grassroots power-devolving reconstruction
of
East Timor" Letter added Jan 22
"I have no doubt that Fretilin hold wide
popular support amongst the Maubere people and that Fretilin are
translating
their aspirations into policy. This was evident in 1975 and was the
main
cause of the Coup attempt by the UDT who could see they had buckleys
chance
of winning a fair election. Fretilin are no longer a part of CNRT
which achieved it's intended objective, namely: to get the Indonesians
out." Brian Manning, Fretilin activist / supporter, member of team that
maintained early radio communications between Fretilin and their
external
Mission
Nov
11 2000 & Oct 1990 RN: Xanana Gusmao interviews
"I was a member of the Central Committee
of Fretilin until '87, and I already explained to some people and I
already
told Fretilin also that as a member of Central Committee of Fretilin
until
'87, I will respond also for the political mistakes. If people don't
like
to say crimes, but political mistakes that Fretilin did. And the UDT
also."
Xanana Gusmao - From guerilla fighter to leader of his country.
FRETILIN - Revolutionary Front for an Independent East Timor / Frente Revolucionária do Timor Leste Independente Added May 16
BD interviews Gil Santos:
When did Fretilin start and what was its purpose?
On 20 May 1974, Fretilin formed under the name ASDT. In Sep 1974 it changed its name to Fretilin. The purpose was to pursue full independence for East Timor. Fretilin was, and still is, opposed to any foreign occupation, colonisation or imperialism. Fretilin had a campaign at the grassroots level and currently has over 180,000 active members (militants). Fretilin developed policies on education, women's rights, worker's rights, children's rights, health and hygeine, the environment.
What are some of Fretilin's historical achievements?
Fretilin was a champion of organising
effective
resistance against Indonesian invasion on three important fronts:
1) military front (FALINTIL); 2)
cladestine
front (underground); 3) diplomacy front.
This led to the existance of:
* the CRRN (National Council of
Revolutionary
Resistance), then
* the CNRM (the National Council of
Maubere
Resistance / Concelho Nacional da Resistancia Maubere), and finally
* the CNRT
(National Council of Timorese Resistance / Conselho Nacional de
Resistência
Timorense) which formed in order to achieve national unity.
What does Fretilin aim to achieve in the future?
* to establish a democratic government
of national unity in order to promote re-construction;
* to re-establish the policies that
benefit
the grassroots with an emphasis on sustainable development and
environmental
awareness;
* to organise and hold another Congress
in May 2001 to develop its political program, and plan its election
strategies;
* to campaign for the up-coming elections
on August 30, 2001.
Flags & Emblems of FRETILIN & FALINTIL: http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Study/4141/pictures/bandeira.htm
OPMT: The Popular Organisation of East Timorese Women / Organizacao Popular de Mulher Timor (FRETILIN's women's organisation): http://www.pcug.org.au/~wildwood/linksindig.htm#opmtb
Main office: Rua Martires da Patria - Comoro / West Dili, Timor Lorosa'e, in the former Pancasila Training Building BP7. As a result, Fretilin is sometimes referred to as BP7 Fretilin. Tel 321409/0417728192
Postal
addresses & Phone numbers:
Melbourne Australia: Gil Santos,
Fretilin (Vic Trades Hall) Cnrs Lygon & Victorian Sts Carlton
South,
Vic 3052
Telephone: * From within Australia
& from mobile in ETimor:
(03) 9663-6611 * From landline
in ETimor: 001 61 3 9663-6611 * From other countries
outside
Australia: +61 3 9663-6611
Email addresses: Australia rep: Filomena de Almeida opmt@hotmail.comItaly rep: Davide Corona Davide.Corona@CSI.IT
Portuguese Homepages:
Recently updated site: http://www.geocities.com/alextilman/
Old: http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Study/4141/
English (& Portuguese)
Web-page:
A
collection of recent speeches, documents, statements, news and reports:
http://www.pcug.org.au/~wildwood/fretilin.htm
Bahasa Indonesia:
OPMT:
Organizacao Popular de Mulher Timor / The Popular Organisation of East
Timorese Women Updated Mar 12
Sejarah Pendek: Organisasi ini
muncul pada tahun 1975 begerak di bidang sosial dan emansipasi
perempuan
Timor di segala aspek eksistensinya sesuai dengan evolusi perang di
Timur
Timor.
Kegiatan Sekarang lsm dan Kebutuhan
Utama: Kebutuhan sekarang adalah mengadakan aksi sosial seperti
memberikan
bantuan kepada yang membutuhan.
Kegiatan Sekarang: Aksi sosial
(periodik).
Rencana: Akan mengadakan kegiatan
di tiga kabupaten.
English:
OPMT:
The Popular Organisation of East Timorese Women / Organizacao Popular
de
Mulher Timor Updated Mar 17
Women's Issues
OPMT is a registered East
Timorese non-government organization (ETNGO)
Short History: OPMT (FRETILIN's
women's organisation) emerged in 1975, to promote the emancipation of
women
in all aspects of life, appropriate to their evolving role in East
Timor.
As an East Timorese women's organisation OPMT has been dealing with the
impact of Indonesian rule that has dominated their lives for the past
25
years culminating in the violence around the UN sponsored Popular
Consultations
in 1999. It is these women who have been dealing with those who have
been
severely psychologically and/or physically traumatised. They have been
helping address the needs of women who are the main carers of children
(many of whom are orphans), the injured, sick and the elderly.
Current situation and primary needs:
OPMT emerged from their clandestine existence at the FRETILIN
Conference
in Dili in May 2000. OPMT's current needs include the general need for
social action such as giving assistance to those who need it.
Current Activities: Social action
(periodic). Also: OPMT Sewing Program in
Timor
Loro Sa'e & OPMT English Language
Program
Plans: OPMT plans to undertake
activities in three districts. OPMT has a vision for how the new
country
can support the people's needs.