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East Timorese leader sees early independence

DILI, (East Timor): East Timor's leader Xanana Gusmao said here on Friday that he foresaw the territory obtaining full independence in at most two years Ñ a year less than currently envisaged.

In a year-end speech, Gusmao unveiled a three-stage plan for the first 25 years of the next century prepared by the National Resistance Council of East Timor (CNRT), which he heads.

The first stage, which he called "Stage A" consisted of "a one-to-two year transition to independence," Gusmao said.

The UN Transitional Authority in East Timor (UNTAET) which took over the authority over East Timor from the Indonesian Government in October following the ratification by Jakarta of the results of a pro-independence, UN-held ballot, has estimated that independence would come only in two-to-three years.

Gusmao said that the transition to independence would encompass two essential aspects.

"The technical training of East Timorese with the support of UNTAET and which will commence with the physical re-construction of basic infrastructure and the process of political maturation of the Timorese society, the responsibility for which rests with the CNRT," he said.

Gusmao, who is the most likely man to lead a free East Timor, said that the second stage of the plan, "Stage B" will last some 10 to 15 years 'during which the national development strategy will be implemented."

The third the last stage, "Stage C" will be for the consolidation of independence, he said.

Gusmao also pledged that the CNRT would work to establish East Timor as a democratic state. "True development cannot exist in the absence of true democracy," Gusmao said. AFP