CNRT Vows to Free the People of East Timor

Media Release CNRT - Thursday, May 31, 2007 12:02 AM AEST

Dili - 29th May 2007 - Congresso Nacional da Reconstruo de Timor (CNRT), the new political party headed by former President Xanana Gusmao, today renewed its pledge to free the people of East Timor from poverty and corruption at a Rally in Los Palos, attended by over 8,000 people.

As campaigning for the June 30th parliamentary elections began in earnest, Gusmao hit the campaign trail, visiting three villages on route to Los Palos, and delivered one of his most passionate speeches since being elected President of East Timor in 2002.
"It is very clear to all our people that the current Fretilin Government has failed. It has failed in a multitude of ways, and failed in a dramatic fashion. Fretilin came to power five years ago,
and to date their legacy is to have failed the people, failed the elderly, failed the war veterans and failed our youth," stated Gusmao.

"Fretilin talk of having a master plan for our proud nation, they have had five years to demonstrate their master plan yet still all we see is suffering. Where is the infrastructure, the water, the electricity, and the roads? Why are people still starving, naked and without shelter? Fretilin has failed our people, but CNRT vows to free them from their suffering.

"We need to focus on building the essentials to alleviate the burden on our people. We need to build hospitals, invest in educating our youth for the future, construct roads to allow the simple transport of goods. We need to attract foreign investment to help us rebuild our country, stimulate our economy and create employment.

"This is why I stand before you today and proudly lead the CNRT, with the promise to serve the people first and to lead a political party to deliver on these promises. It is time for change!

"We must change from a culture of nepotism to a culture of justice, from a culture of servility to a culture of transparency, from a culture of personal interest to a culture of social solidarity, from
a culture of arrogance to a culture of tolerance, from a culture of corruption to a culture of responsibility.

"I am personally ashamed of the actions of this self serving Fretilin administration, they have done little for the people, yet are more than happy to award themselves with legislation like the luxury pension bill. We need to form a Government to serve the people and put their interests ahead of its own, CNRT is the party to do this."

Xanana Gusmao was joined on stage by Jose Luis Gutteres of Fretilin Modanza, who lent his support to Gusmao and the CNRT. Gutteres highlighted how the ruling Fretilin Government had failed to deliver peace and stability, let alone alleviate the suffering of the people.

CNRT was founded on the 28th March 2007 to unite the people of East Timor. The party stands for the elimination of poverty, reconstruction of government and the rebuilding of a nation in crisis.
Following the events of May/June 2006 the country has suffered due to poor governance and corruption by the ruling party, Fretilin. CNRT vows to heal the fractures in the fragile nation and invest in building a peaceful and prosperous future for its people.

For Further Information contact: Tania Correia - e: taniabcorreia@gmail.com