Runoff expected in East Timor

East Timor’s presidential election appeared headed toward a runoff Monday, raising fears of prolonged instability in a young nation that nearly descended into civil war a year ago.

Prime Minister Jose Ramos-Horta, who won the 1996 Nobel Peace Prize for championing East Timor’s struggle to end decades of brutal Indonesian rule, initially had been seen as the favorite for the five-year presidency.

But public disillusionment with the government has grown, and no clear winner among eight candidates emerged in early ballot counting. An outright majority was needed to avoid a runoff, which would be held next month.

East Timor was heralded as a success in nation-building when it formally declared independence in 2002, but descended into chaos last year after then-Prime Minister Mari Bin Amude Alkatiri fired nearly half the tiny army, provoking gun battles between rival security forces that spiraled into gang warfare and looting.

At least 37 people were killed and about 155,000 fled their homes before the government collapsed.

Peace largely returned with the arrival of nearly 3,000 international peacekeepers, but there has been sporadic unrest. Tens of thousands of refugees have yet to return home, and the country remains desperately poor, with 50% unemployment.

“If I win, I will bear a wooden cross almost as heavy as Christ’s,” said Ramos-Horta, 57, who claimed he would prefer to retire, write books and travel. “If I lose, I will win my freedom.”

Angry protests broke out last month when Australian troops tried to capture popular rebel leader Alfredo Reinado in a raid backed by Ramos-Horta. Reinado escaped, but four of his followers were killed.

Ramos-Horta has also been criticized for failing to imprison former Interior Minister Rogerio Lobato, accused of helping arm civilian militias.

National Election Committee spokesman Martinho Gusmao said three candidates emerged ahead: Ramos-Horta; Francisco Guterres, a former guerrilla fighter and a member of Alkatiri’s Fretilin party; and Fernando de Araujo of the Democratic Party, another resistance leader.

Preliminary results were expected Wednesday and the final tally April 19.