SRSG: CNRT DISSOLUTION “POLITICALLY COURAGEOUS”

SRSG Sergio Vieira de Mello on Saturday called the dissolution of the East Timor resistance umbrella organization CNRT “a difficult and painful decision, but a politically courageous, wise and timely one.” Speaking at the Dili Municipal Stadium, where thousands of people had gathered for the official ceremony that ended the organization’s existence, SRSG underlined that it is rare in history that a national liberation movement decides to dissolve itself and give the power to the people. “CNRT has taught the world an important lesson,” he added. “Even in the most difficult circumstances a people that is united and organized is able to go through the most terrible times and conquer the right of self-determination.” Sergio Vieira de Mello further said that the Transitional Administration would do its utmost to assist former CNRT members applying for positions within the Civil Service. UNDP and the World Bank have pledged to finance training programs designed to help former CNRT staff pursue new careers.

The ceremony, in which the CNRT flag was lowered, was attended by the organization’s President Xanana Gusmão, CNRT Vice President José Ramos-Horta, Deputy SRSG Jean-Christian Cady, Cabinet members, diplomats and other dignitaries. CNRT was created in 1998 and formally dissolved on 7 June after a three-day extraordinary conference in Dili. The conference decided to set-up a veteran’s association, which will support vulnerable groups in East Timor.

FRETILIN FOURTH PARTY TO RECEIVE OFFICIAL CERTIFICATE

The Frente Revolucionária de Timor-Leste Independente (Fretilin) on Saturday received its official political party certificate of registration from the Independent Electoral Commission. This is the fourth party to be officially registered with the Commission for the purpose of presenting candidates to the elections for a Constituent Assembly on 30 August. The Commission staff delivered the certificate of registration in person to Fretilin’s President Lu-Olo. Fretilin’s registration application was subject of various official objections and unofficial complaints based primarily on the claim that it should not be allowed to register with the name Fretilin or with the symbol that it submitted to the Independent Electoral Commission as part of its registration application. On 15 May, the Chief Electoral Officer referred Fretilin’s registration application to the Board of Commissioners on the basis of the first official objection lodged with the Commission on 14 May. The Board yesterday decided that Fretilin should be registered as a political party with the name and the symbol that it submitted in its registration application. The Board of Commissioners decided today that the party Partido Democrata-Cristão de Timor (UDC/PDC), which submitted a registration application on Tuesday 15 May, should be registered as a political party.

The Chief Electoral Officer had submitted the party’s registration application to the Board on the basis of the similarity to the name of another party, Partido Democrata Cristão (PDC), and of an official objection which alleges that the party obtained some of the signatures that it submitted as part of its registration application through an offer of payment. The Board today concluded that the UDC/PDC’s name is not sufficiently similar to PDC’s; and that there is insufficient proof to the allegation of payment for signatures. Also today, the party Partido Socialista de Timor (PST), which received its registration on 31 May, filed nominations for 75 national candidates. The party did not file any candidates for the districts.