Independence Leader Will Run for President

Independence leader Jose Alexandre “Xanana” Gusmao, a potent symbol of resistance during decades of colonial rule by Indonesia, officially declared himself a candidate in East Timor’s first presidential election.

Gusmao will run with the support of 11 of the 16 political parties, party officials said. But he has thus far rejected support from the Fretilin party, the political arm of the guerrilla movement that fought Indonesian rule and which holds 55 of the 88 seats in the constituent assembly. Gusmao is said to have policy disagreements with the party.

The president will take office May 20, the day East Timor is due to become formally independent.