BACK DOOR Newsletter on East
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"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
Green Left Weekly
Wednesday January 24, 2001
`Fretilin will win first Timor election'
Peter Johnston, Darwin -- "We expect over 50% of the first elected
parliament -- definitely", Estanislau da Silva reassured trade unionists
here on January 11, claiming that his party, Fretilin, is the only political
group in East Timor with extensive grassroots support.
Da Silva, a member of Fretilin's central committee, said his party was
"in the best position to promote tolerance and democracy" and would back
the introduction of proportional representation so that minor parties can
achieve political representation in proportion to their vote.
Da Silva, who expects elections by July and independence by the end
of the year, also announced that Fretilin has pledged to back its former
party leader Xanana Gusmao if he runs for the country's presidency, "unless
he joins another political party".
Da Silva backed Fretilin's support for reinstating the old colonial
language, Portuguese, as the country's official tongue, saying "The people
learnt a new language 24 years ago, they can do it again now".
The move has been criticised by many inside East Timor for potentially
disenfranchising those under 30 who grew up speaking Indonesian and the
local Tetum language and never learnt to read, write or speak Portuguese.
Fretilin is to hold its national congress in May.
Green
Left Weekly
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BACK DOOR Newsletter on East
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