East Timor prepares for election

The people of East Timor are gearing up to vote in a run-off presidential election to decide who will replace outgoing leader Xanana Gusmao.

Their choice is between interim Prime Minister Jose Ramos-Horta and ruling party candidate Francisco Guterres.

No candidate won an outright majority in the first round last month.

That vote was the first since East Timor gained full independence in 2002 following its bloody separation from Indonesia in 1999.

Despite fears of violence, the run-up to Wednesday’s poll has been peaceful, with both candidates pledging to accept the result.

Past violence

Most analysts see Mr Ramos-Horta – a Nobel Peace Prize winner – as the favourite, especially because most of the six losing candidates in the first round are urging their supporters to back him.

But Mr Guterres remains a strong contender, and is backed by the ruling political party Fretilin, which was the political party of the former armed resistance movement and still has strong support across the country.

President Gusmao has appealed for unity and peace.

He did not want to contest another term as president, and is instead putting himself up as a candidate for the more powerful post of prime minister, in parliamentary elections which will take place in June.

Many people in East Timor hope these elections will bring an end to the political tension and instability that has blighted the young country.

Last summer, more than 30 people were killed, and thousands displaced, in clashes between rival military factions.

Story from BBC NEWS

Published: 2007/05/08 14:19:49 GMT

© BBC MMVII

So, here’s a question. With Bush and co so gung ho about exporting democracy to the world, why have they been strangely quiet about the democratic elections in East Timor?

Will