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Larine Statham - November 3, 2010 - The Sydney Morning Herald
AAP
One of the world's most revered political leaders intends to bow out from the presidency of his fragile young nation and take on a mentor's role.
East Timor President Jose Ramos Horta says he has spent 40 years of his life fighting for peace and plans to retire from politics at the election scheduled for 2012.
"A large number of East Timorese would probably feel reassured if I stay on as president, because most view me as having played a very positive role in 2006 in preventing the country from collapsing completely," he told AAP at his home in Dili.
United Nations forces, which began peacekeeping and independence-building operations in Timor in 1999 after Indonesia relinquished control, aim to begin a staged withdrawal from the country pending the outcome of the 2012 general and presidential elections.
Any political instability or uncertainty could reignite unrest, requiring military and police troops from Australia, New Zealand, Portugal and the UN to maintain their presence in Timor.
Mr Ramos Horta, who spent 24 years in exile and survived an assassination attempt in 2008, said that since the last outbreak of serious violence in 2006 Timor had been enjoying peace and growth, though it remained one of Asia's poorest nations.
His decision to step down was an expression of confidence that order and stability would be maintained, he said.
"It might be time to move on, step aside, so that others can do their duty."
The step would also "disprove any possible lingering notion that some of the older generation leaders do not wish to relinquish power".
"Even if I leave politics, it doesn't mean I would abandon the new generation that take over.
"If they so desire, I would be very happy to stand behind them (as a mentor)," he said, adding that a number of young politicians had asked him to recontest the presidency.
"If we don't see an obvious leader now; he or she might not materialise so soon, by 2012, but in another five or 10 years - maybe.
"There are many young generation leaders, but they still need a lot of work to establish national authority because this is a very patriarchal society.
"The so-called old generation leaders; there are quite a few of us."
Former speaker of the house and now Fretilin Party president Francisco Guterres, better known as Lu Olo, was defeated by Mr Ramos Horta at the last presidential election and has been flagged as a possible 2012 contender.
Mr Ramos Horta, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate who became the fourth president of East Timor in May 2007 after having served as foreign affairs minister and prime minister, would not be drawn on who would step forward to succeed him.
"I am not aware of anyone who has made up his mind or her mind to run," he said.
A source, who did not wished to be identified, told AAP the president had held a number of secret meetings with East Timor's first prime minister Mari Alkatiri and prosecutor general Ana Pessoa Pinto.
Mr Alkatiri is now the secretary general of Fretilin, the leftist political party that is in opposition.
Mr Ramos Horta and Ms Pessoa Pinto, who were once married, were founding members of Fretilin.
Prior to becoming president, Mr Ramos Horta broke away from Fretilin to become an independent.
The source said the trio had discussed the future of the presidency, as well as the development of legislation to crack down on alleged ministerial corruption.
Mr Ramos Horta said he would make a final decision closer to the election, based on the security and stability of the country.
"But if you ask me my mood today ... I would prefer not to run in 2012."
© 2010 AAP
.
Larine Statham - November 3, 2010 - The Sydney Morning Herald
AAP
One of the world's most revered political leaders intends to bow out from the presidency of his fragile young nation and take on a mentor's role.
East Timor President Jose Ramos Horta says he has spent 40 years of his life fighting for peace and plans to retire from politics at the election scheduled for 2012.
"A large number of East Timorese would probably feel reassured if I stay on as president, because most view me as having played a very positive role in 2006 in preventing the country from collapsing completely," he told AAP at his home in Dili.
United Nations forces, which began peacekeeping and independence-building operations in Timor in 1999 after Indonesia relinquished control, aim to begin a staged withdrawal from the country pending the outcome of the 2012 general and presidential elections.
Any political instability or uncertainty could reignite unrest, requiring military and police troops from Australia, New Zealand, Portugal and the UN to maintain their presence in Timor.
Mr Ramos Horta, who spent 24 years in exile and survived an assassination attempt in 2008, said that since the last outbreak of serious violence in 2006 Timor had been enjoying peace and growth, though it remained one of Asia's poorest nations.
His decision to step down was an expression of confidence that order and stability would be maintained, he said.
"It might be time to move on, step aside, so that others can do their duty."
The step would also "disprove any possible lingering notion that some of the older generation leaders do not wish to relinquish power".
"Even if I leave politics, it doesn't mean I would abandon the new generation that take over.
"If they so desire, I would be very happy to stand behind them (as a mentor)," he said, adding that a number of young politicians had asked him to recontest the presidency.
"If we don't see an obvious leader now; he or she might not materialise so soon, by 2012, but in another five or 10 years - maybe.
"There are many young generation leaders, but they still need a lot of work to establish national authority because this is a very patriarchal society.
"The so-called old generation leaders; there are quite a few of us."
Former speaker of the house and now Fretilin Party president Francisco Guterres, better known as Lu Olo, was defeated by Mr Ramos Horta at the last presidential election and has been flagged as a possible 2012 contender.
Mr Ramos Horta, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate who became the fourth president of East Timor in May 2007 after having served as foreign affairs minister and prime minister, would not be drawn on who would step forward to succeed him.
"I am not aware of anyone who has made up his mind or her mind to run," he said.
A source, who did not wished to be identified, told AAP the president had held a number of secret meetings with East Timor's first prime minister Mari Alkatiri and prosecutor general Ana Pessoa Pinto.
Mr Alkatiri is now the secretary general of Fretilin, the leftist political party that is in opposition.
Mr Ramos Horta and Ms Pessoa Pinto, who were once married, were founding members of Fretilin.
Prior to becoming president, Mr Ramos Horta broke away from Fretilin to become an independent.
The source said the trio had discussed the future of the presidency, as well as the development of legislation to crack down on alleged ministerial corruption.
Mr Ramos Horta said he would make a final decision closer to the election, based on the security and stability of the country.
"But if you ask me my mood today ... I would prefer not to run in 2012."
© 2010 AAP
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10 comentários:
That is simply a VERY GOOD news! I am over the moon.
Will Mr Gusmao and (Fernando) Araujo follow his step? To my mind they should!
Horta most revered political leader? It is likely that either SMH or the journalist in particular that revered him for her own good!
Where does AAP gets its source from? It is likely that the source is the PM's office! Come on AAP this is a hardly cannot be disguised as piece from a source 'who wish not disclose own name' isn't it?
Conspiracy upon conspiracy! AND AAP is in the thick of it!
He will run in the next election...for sure!!!!!!!!!!!
Horta and Xanana are super liars
The 2012 elections will be a turning point for Timor Leste. Jose Ramos Horta being the true politician that he is, is testing the waters.
The question for the electorate will not only be generational change, it will be more a case of can the country sustain the personal whims of the leaders of 75 if they continue in power.
Jose Ramos Horta has had a mixed record. He has been the true statesman at times and an important balancing force, preventing the country from a downward spiral, but at others as in the Maternus Bere case, he has very poor judgement.
The older style of leadership has also been negligent in so far as the building of the institutions of state are concerned. Its been more a case of how can I get the better of my oponents - real and imaginary, rather than my contribution to this country and my status is incomparable so how can I use this status to inclucively mobilize support for the way forward.
In Timor Leste today the institutions of state are substantially weakened. The justice sector barely has its head above water, the National Parliament is a mere rubber stamp for the all powerfull Executive, the tussle to control the defense and security forces, although seemingly untouched after the 2006 crisis, continues to be of strategic importance to those wanting to hold onto political power.
As the leaders of 75 express concern at the absence of a definite leader amongst the younger generation, the young generation of leaders are right to ask - what will be the legacy of the 75 leaders beyond the country's liberation in 1999.
I don't really take this info as seriously as others. For sure now they may blown out this info but when time comes, they certainly make their inclusion in the final minutes, as they have done it. Damn these faggot ! But if he genuinely do it in the 2012 election, then it would be good thing for us as Timorese. Frankly I am fed up with most of their rethoric politics. Any way only time that can prove who is wrong in this instance.
"One of the worlds greatest politician"....? What a load of shit!! Ramos Horta is a cunning, manipulative, corrupt dictator who has no respect for the rule of law. He is a one man machine fighting for the interests of one man, ie; his, Ramos Horta.
If we the timorese want our country to go forward we must never ever again fall for the lies and tears of Ramos Horta and his corrupt cronies, such as Xanana Gusmao, Emilia Pires, Agio Pereira, Joao Goncalves, Gil Alves, Lucia Lobato, Fernando Lasama and the rest of the rubbish there.
Has this AAP journalist slept with Ramos Horta? Can somebody let us know because she is so removed from reality that her her article sure sounds like it to us.
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