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Xanana Gusmao expected to win presidency

The East Timorese independence leader Xanana Gusmao has formally announced he will stand as a candidate in presidential elections.

Mark Bowling reports Mr Gusmao has the support of 11 of the 16 political parties contesting the April the 14th vote and is widely expected to win.

"A charismatic leader who for years fought as a jungle guerilla against Indonesia, 56 year old Xanana Gusmao is widely supported by the East Timorese people. But he has repeatedly said he would rather be a photo journalist or a pumpkin farmer than a president. He has ended months of speculation by finally nominating as a candidate for East Timor's presidential poll. The only other candidate is Francisco Amaral, the ageing leader of the Timorese Social Democratic Association. The newly elected President will take office on May the 20th, the day East Timor is due to become formally independent. The United Nations has administered East Timor since late 1999, after a referendum that saw an overwhelming vote for independence from Indonesia."

24/02/2002 12:46:42 | ABC Radio Australia News

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