| Subject: AP: Xanana's
press conference Gusmao puts brakes
on high expectations in E. Timor
October 23, 1999 Web posted at: 10:37 PM HKT (1437 GMT)
DILI, East Timor (AP) -- East Timor independence leader
Jose Alexandre "Xanana" Gusmao tried on Saturday to ease the high expectations
created by his return to his devastated homeland.
"I am not a savior. I can't solve all the
problems," the popular Gusmao said at the U.N. compound in the capital, Dili, a day
after his triumphant, emotional arrival.
Appearing almost intoxicated by his return, which drew
thousands of cheering, weeping people to his first open-air speech, he addressed reporters
amid tight security, flanked by bodyguards and international peacekeeping troops.
Gusmao said he plans to be in East Timor "for the rest
of my life" but that despite widespread speculation that he will be the new nation's
first president, he does not aspire to the top job.
Still, he didn't rule out being drafted into the position,
which will not be filled until after a two- to three-year transitional period under U.N.
auspices.
"I left as a guerrilla fighter, and I'm returning as a
guerrilla fighter," he said, dressed in a uniform of the Falintil guerrilla group
over a white T-shirt. "I am proud to be a member of Falintil, but I never wanted to
be a president."
Gusmao spent seven years in prison and under house arrest
in Indonesia for his rebel activities. He was freed days after East Timorese voted
overwhelmingly on August. 30 for independence from Indonesia, which invaded in 1975.
The results of the U.N.-supervised referendum sparked a
rampage by pro-Jakarta militias and their Indonesian military backers that leveled much of
the half-island territory and caused most of the 850,000 people to flee their homes. The
multinational peacekeeping force arrived September. 20 to restore order.
"I came to start working with my companions to begin
sweeping up the ashes and plant the seeds of hope," said Gusmao, whose return was
seen as a beacon for people who have come in from the hills to find their homes burned
out.
Gusmao said reconciliation was possible with the
militiamen, some of whom have launched cross-border attacks on the peacekeepers from
Indonesian-held West Timor.
"The only condition to come back is to accept, with
honesty, that they have to confess their crimes to the people," he said.
At a meeting Saturday morning with Taufik Soedarba, chief
of Indonesia's task force to East Timor, he said he asked the Indonesian government to
stem the flow of guns to West Timor.
"From both sides there were signs of a willingness to
work together," Gusmao said. "For the sake of a good future relationship, we
should take steps now to allow people to come back, and they should stop supporting
militia activities."
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