March 16, 2001
East Timor's U.N. administrator on Friday formally set Aug. 30 as the date for the territory's first free elections.
Sergio Vieira de Mello signed a decree which sets into motion preparations for elections for a constituent assembly. That legislature will be tasked with drawing up a constitution ahead of full independence, possibly next year.
Aug. 30 will be the second anniversary of a historic referendum in East Timor which resulted in it breaking free from Indonesian rule. ``The thirtieth of August 1999 was the date the East Timorese, in an act of collective courage and heroism that will long be remembered, chose independence,'' de Mello said at a ceremony held at U.N. headquarters in the capital, Dili. ``Thus, the thirtieth of August is a very fitting date for an election that will serve as the founding act of the independent and democratic nation of East Timor,'' he said.
East Timor has been under the administration of the world body since the country voted overwhelmingly for independence. Hundreds were killed and much of the country devastated as Indonesian troops and pro-Indonesian militia rampaged through the country before withdrawing.
The ceremony was attended by East Timor's political leaders, senior members of the U.N. administration, and foreign diplomats. Jose Alexandre ``Xanana'' Gusmao, who is widely expected to become the country's first president, appealed for continued backing by the international community. ``This process will only be a success if we can continue to count on the support of the international community,'' Gusmao said. ``We will continue to offer guarantees for stability.''
According to the newly adopted electoral law, the 88-member constituent assembly will have 90 days to prepare and adopt the constitution for an independent East Timor. Each of the country's 13 districts will elect one representative on a majority basis. The remaining 75 members will be elected on proportional basis. The measure also provides for a commission to oversee the elections.
