E Timor's Gusmao talks nation building

Gusmao says East Timor's new economy will rely on coffee, fisheries, marble, tourism and U.N. expertise.

By Nick Easen
CNN

(CNN) -- Guerrilla fighter, political prisoner and now international statesman Xanana Gusmao believes that his most difficult struggle lays ahead … nation building.

After waging war against occupying Indonesian forces and surviving seven years imprisonment, Gusmao continues to play a pivotal role in the development of East Timor.

His mission is to rebuild a shattered country from the government and civil service to bricks and mortar.

It is a role he has no illusions about. "Instead of it being easy, it is the most difficult task we have in front of us," Gusmao told a club luncheon in Hong Kong.

"Independence is more important to our people, their demands are very simple, we must change their conditions of life".

The economy is now in tatters after years of conflict, and badly needs foreign investment.

Apart from basic infrastructure, Gusmao believes education is the key to rebuilding his country. East Timor currently has one of the world's highest illiteracy rates at 80 percent.

The role of women

Sword-Gusmao says women need to be involved at the formative stage of East Timor's development.

Gusmao's Australian wife, Kirsty Sword-Gusmao, is helping with the challenge facing East Timor's women, many of whom experienced hardship and abuse during years of Indonesian occupation.

Women already hold a favorable 24 of the 88 seats of the ruling constituent assembly, yet at this formative stage keeping women's issues on the agenda is "a big challenge" she said.

"Men need to look at it not as an obligation that satisfies the requirements of international donors to have a gender component … it is society that stands to benefit … and all that (women) have to offer nation building."

Power and politics

After appearing to withdraw from political leadership, Gusmao has put himself forward as a candidate to be the first leader of an independent East Timor.

Often likened to Nelson Mandela, Gusmao displayed both diplomatic and political skills when asked about Australia's current policy of turning back asylum seekers, sidestepping the question and referring to his anger back in September 1999 with Australian Immigration Minister Philip Ruddock.

"I was very, very angry because people were in a very difficult situation," said Gusmao.

At the time Australia did not allow East Timorese students at risk in Indonesia temporary entry into its territory, even after the murder of four students.

Despite having funding from international aid agencies for the evacuation of students and the assurance that Australian soil would only be used as a bridge for entry into East Timor, Australian immigration refused them entry.

"Ruddock told me no, and I had to accept his decision," said Gusmao.

A leader with strong opinions

Although a reluctant political figure, Gusmao has strong opinions about the timetable for independence.

He currently disagrees with the Constituent Assembly that governs East Timor on the date for independence, now set at May 20 next year.

"We are trying to build a democratic society and if we have elected bodies running our country it doesn't mean I must say yes to every decision" he told CNN.

"I didn't state this just to split the Timorese society, I accept but I don't agree," Gusmao reiterated, after he said that the date set was biased in terms of party politics.

The day marks the 28th anniversary of the founding of the first political party, the Social Democratic Timorese Association, which became the now dominant political party Fretilin.

Gusmao would prefer official independence to come on the anniversary of the signing of a UN agreement that led to the end of Indonesian rule -- 5 May.

East Timor has been under transitional administration by the United Nations since October 1999, after 24 years of often cruel occupation by Indonesia and four centuries of colonial rule by Portugal before that.