EAST TIMOR: Over half a million East Timorese are vote for a new President

Over half a million East Timorese are voting for a new president with high hopes that the election can help end deep divisions after a year of instability in one of the world's youngest and poorest nations. Voters in East Timor queued up to cast their votes for a new president on Monday (April 9), hoping the election can help end deep divisions after a year of instability in one of the world's youngest and poorest nations. Eight candidates are running, including Prime Minister Jose Ramos-Horta, a Nobel peace prize winner who spearheaded an overseas campaign for independence from Indonesia. If no one wins more than half the vote, a run-off will be held, a scenario some analysts see as likely. "I don't want to be elected on the back of violence. So for me, this is absolutely off limit. And sort of violence, even insult against other candidates," Ramos-Horta told Reuters as went to cast his ballot. Gusmao, an ally of Ramos-Horta, is not running for re-election but plans to seek the more hands-on post of prime minister in a separate parliamentary election later this year. "We believe that the decision of the people …for the future..." (Reporter's question: What is the most difficult problem for the East Timorese?) "Now? To choose the right leader," said Gusmao, who came to the polls to cast his vote with his wife and child. Fernando de Araujo, also known as La Sama, cast his vote in a school building in his village. La Sama, who was a former East Timorese independence fighter, jailed by Indonesia for six years, said he was leaving the fate of the country to the people. "Whatever the people decided it is the option for this country," he said. Fretilin ruling party Francisco Gutteres, who is the front-runner in the elections, said he could not promise that there will be no violence from his supporters if he lost the elections. "Everything is possible. We will see the situation after the election. And what decision to be made," he said. The capital appeared calm on Monday, although residents said that overnight two soldiers described as drunk fired shots while stopping traffic. No one was hurt in the incident, they said. The violence has heightened fears that the impoverished country of one million people, whose secession from Indonesian rule in 1999 triggered widespread violence by pro-Jakarta militias, could again descend into chaos. A foreign national observer said he did not witness any violent incidents at the polls on Monday. "(We see) A lot of people in the polling stations for votes, no incident, so little problems. So I supposed today will be a happy day for all the people," said European Union Chief Observer Javier Pomez Ruiz. "I did witness there are long queue in each polling station. And actually since it looks very quiet, at this moment, so far so good," added Hideaki Asahi, Japan Chief Observer. Around 3,000 international troops and police are patrolling the poll areas to safeguard the elections, while about 200 international observers are monitoring the voting. Some of the 700 polling stations are so remote the ballot papers will be delivered on horses. Voters streaming into polling stations in elementary schools hoped the elections would bring peace to East Timor. "I hope the winner will bring peace to the people and unite the country," said resident Celestino Gomez. Pro-Jakarta militiamen went on a violent rampage following a 1999 vote for independence, killing about 1,000 people and destroying much of the territory's infrastructure. East Timor again descended into chaos last May after the government sacked 600 rebellious soldiers. More than 30 people were killed and 100,000 fled their homes, until the government asked foreign troops to quell the unrest.

ITN Source | April 9, 2007

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