The Popular Front: Timor-Leste remains fundamentally Fretilin
by finch Friday, Apr 13 2007, 11:32am
international / social/political / commentary

Regardless of the destabilising intervention of Australia/USA via Major Reinado and the current occupation, Fretilin remains the principal political force in East Timor. Its roots extend to the beginnings of national identity forged during the bloody resistance campaigns against Indonesia's attempt to annex the tiny nation. After 450 years of Portuguese colonial rule and the recent violent interventions of foreign interests, the tiny nation of Timor-Leste has learnt the value of freedom and independence. The East Javanese left may have influenced the early political leanings of Fretilin, however, today's Fretilin is fervently nationalistic and rejects all forms of foreign interference.

Australian occupation forces in Dili

Former independence leaders, Jose Ramos Horta and Xanana Gusmao have clearly jumped ship and are now in bed with foreign (oil) interests. In view of the quite obvious distinction between local interests as opposed to foreign interests the nationalist Fretilin group gained 29% of the popular vote with western interests represented by Horta gaining 23%. The stage is set for the pre-planned “runoff” – what a farce! No doubt a very close election will result in victory for the western lackey, Ramos Horta. The locals however, may not ‘fall’ for the obviously stage-managed ‘free and fair’ elections? [We expect the introduction of computerised voting, Florida style, to soon be implemented in all western nations – the charade of ‘democracy’ must be maintained while corporate interests ply their rapacious, violent, polluting and inequitable trade.]

The recent discovery of a number of sealed ballot boxes and accusations of impropriety by the Ramos Horta faction will not be allowed to disturb the pre-planned proceedings. Regardless of the anticipated outcome of the (western) supervised, ‘free and fair’ elections, Timor-Leste will never surrender her very costly independence to foreign interests – the people have everything to gain and nothing to lose in the fight to maintain sovereignty.

Viva Timor-Leste!