We liberated the country... ...now we liberate the people of East Timor

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CNRT Promotes Democratic Rule

Dili – 25th June 2007

CNRT today reaffirmed its commitment to establish a free and fair democratic state in East Timor in the face of Fretilin’s continued propaganda to disguise its communist associations and approach to Government.

With Fretilin receiving worldwide support and funding from communist parties around the globe, including The Portuguese Communist Party, The Australian Communist Party and other leading communist institutions from Cuba and Mozambique, CNRT calls for the end of this one party mentality to release the people of East Timor from an ineffective Government that seems intent on serving itself over the people.

On June 22nd the Secretariat of the General Committee of the Portuguese Communist Party (PCP) released a statement promoting its solidarity with Fretilin’s struggle for Sovereignty in East Timor. This language reflects that of Fretilin that has repeated called upon maintaining Sovereignty throughout its campaign, but enlightens us to the fact that it is in fact sovereignty for the party rather than the people that they strive to achieve.

The PCP statement continues to attack the presence Australian troops in East Timor, a presence referred to as the coup by Australia’s own communist Party. This is in light of the fact that it was Fretilin leadership who signed the letter requesting the presence of said peacekeeping forces in the face of a civil war of their own creation. Fretilin and their communist counterparts prove once again their amazing ability to rework history by failing to accept responsibility for their own actions and the consequences thereof.

This abject disregard for the constitutional rights of the people seems to continue unchecked, with Fretilin proudly announcing the signing of contracts with Sucos (villages) to deliver up to US$100,000 a year for redevelopment if they are re-elected to Government. This is blatant vote buying – against the constitution, against the law, and against the spirit of a free and fair democracy.

This follows the release of development funds over the last few weeks, with amazing timing that after five years of government, the funds miraculously clear for distribution during an election campaign. Surely this is once again an abuse of the constitution and of the nature of democracy.

Their abuses continue with the passing by parliament of the amnesty bill in June 2007, passed by a 43 person majority – all of whom were Fretilin members of parliament while the other parties were out campaigning for the upcoming legislative elections. Such ‘Pork Barrelling’ of legislation again flies in the face of a free and fair democracy and is not in the nature of the constitution, especially for a Government in caretaker not lawmaker mode.

General Secretary of CNRT Dionisio Babo Soares today said, “Fretilin’s tactics and approach to the people defies the nature of democracy and once again demonstrates their lack of respect for the people of our nation and smacks of desperation. If they think that the hearts and minds of our people can be so easily bought, it is a sad reflection of their approach to the suffering their failed administration had delivered to East Timor.

“Over and again over the last 30 years our people have demonstrated their resolve to fight against adversity and vote with their hearts and minds in their best interests. The current regime has failed the people and failed the country. They can not repair the damage that they have inflicted with last minute handouts. The people have suffered enough and they recognise that it is time to change, and time for the current Fretilin regime to take its place in the annals of history.

“CNRT promises to work tirelessly in the short term to alleviate the suffering of our population, in hand with well thought out strategies for the long-term viability of a prosperous economy. Only by working with the people and engaging them will we achieve the potential of our nation. Our people have proved their strength time and time again throughout our fight for independence, I am confident their resolve will not fail them on June 30th when they vote for a new Government to represent them in finally delivering a free and fair democracy to East Timor in order to secure our place as a free nation in the modern world.”

Ends.

For Further Information
CNRT Media Contact
T: +670 735 8696
E: cnrt.media@gmail.com
W: www.cnrt-timor.org

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