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de Mello dismisses allegations of intimidation
The head of East Timor's United Nations authority has dismissed allegations of intimidation as voters prepared to elect a president to lead the world's newest nation
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Sergio Vieira de Mello expressed optimism for Sunday's vote following the end of campaigning by independence hero, Xanana Gusmao, and his sole challenger for the presidency, Francisco Xavier do Amaral.
Speaking at a press conference prior to the UN-administered election, Mr de Mello said he had every reason to believe that East Timorese would turn out in droves for the historic poll.
Both the two prior UN elections held in East Timor registered turnouts in excess of 90 percent.
Gusmao, 56, is expected to win by a landslide to become East Timor's first, largely ceremonial, president after the territory wins statehood on May 20.
But his supporters have complained of intimidation by some members of Fretilin.
Gusmao's call for reconciliation with pro-Indonesian East Timorese has not been welcomed by everyone.
13/04/2002 22:20:53 | ABC Radio Australia News
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