Gusmao Wins Timor Presidency in Landslide

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Reuiters - Wed Apr 17, 5:26 AM ET (via Yahoo)

Gusmao Wins E.Timor Presidential Vote in Landslide 
        
By Joanne Collins 

DILI, East Timor (Reuters) - Independence hero and former guerrilla
leader Xanana Gusmao has won a landslide victory in East Timor (news
- web sites)'s first presidential election, the final step in the
territory's long and bloody road to nationhood next month.

Gusmao's widely expected success saw him win 82.69 percent of
Sunday's vote to 17.31 percent for less charismatic rival Francisco
Xavier do Amaral, according to Independent Electoral Commission (IEC)
results announced Wednesday.

"The next five years will constitute a great challenge... not only
for our government but also for all of civil society and all the
democratic institutions of our country," the widely popular Gusmao
said at an afternoon news conference.

East Timor, once a Portuguese colony but invaded and taken over by
Indonesia in 1975, will formally become the world's newest nation on
May 20 when the United Nations (news - web sites) hands over
administration to the new government.

Thanking all the people of East Timor, the national hero who has long
made it clear he was a reluctant presidential candidate said he was
well aware of the tasks facing the war-racked nation.

"During my campaign I declared that if I was chosen... as president I
would promote a model of open presidency. That way my presidency will
also be a voice for the concerns of our people," Gusmao said.

CONGRATULATIONS

Chief Minister Mari Alkatiri, who has often sparred with the new
president, warmly welcomed the outcome and sought to allay fears his
ruling Fretilin party would be a source of conflict for Gusmao's new
administration.

"I have come here to congratulate Xanana Gusmao. I do this from the
bottom of my heart, believe it or not," he told a separate news
conference.

East Timor's new constitution outlines a semi-presidential system of
government where an elected president can dismiss the prime minister
and veto legislation, but in a framework of strong checks and
balances that makes cooperation critical.

Alkatiri, who cast a blank vote in Sunday's election, vowed to work
with Gusmao amid concerns bickering could create problems for a
government grappling to rebuild the traumatized nation.

"What I want to declare here is that if I'm part of the government
and if I'm prime minister of this new government then I will do all
in my power to create a sound relationship between the president and
the parliament and the government and within the spirit of cementing
national unity and democracy."

Alkatiri -- whose current role is the equivalent of prime minister --
said it was up to his party to decide whether he would remain in the
current post.

The United Nations has been overseeing the tiny territory since it
overwhelmingly voted to break free from Indonesia in August 1999,
releasing an orgy of violence by pro-Jakarta militia until foreign
peacekeeping troops moved in the following month.

The U.N. chief in the territory was also quick to congratulate
Gusmao, adding he implicitly trusted his ability to govern the
nation.

"As the first president of an independent East Timor I trust that
Xanana Gusmao will devote his infinite energy and will to fulfilling
the noble pledges he made during the campaign," Sergio Vieira de
Mello told Reuters.
 
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nytas-04.17.02-07:28:55-9082