---------------------------------------------------------- FREE for JOIN Indonesia Daily News Online via EMAIL: go to: http://www.indo-news.com/subscribe.html - FREE - FREE - FREE - FREE - FREE - FREE - Please Visit Our Sponsor http://www.indo-news.com/cgi-bin/ads1 ---------------------------------------------------------- South China Morning Post Friday, August 20, 1999 EAST TIMOR Harried chief plans 'jail break' VAUDINE ENGLAND Rebel leader Xanana Gusmao appears relaxed and in good spirits at his small house, and jokes that he wishes he could be returned to Cipinang jail for a holiday. His desire for a break is not surprising. The former resistance fighter is following a schedule as packed as that of most heads of state - without the facilities or perks. Young Indonesian guards occupy the front yard at all times, taking note of his many visitors, and asking some of them for financial contributions as they leave. Inside the house, portraits of Jesus and Mary have been hung by a friend because, Gusmao said "I am a Catholic and maybe the pictures can help reduce the natural forces" at work against him. A minimal staff juggles visits by the media and foreign delegates, while Timorese and Portuguese advisers wait patiently to make plans for the future. "I am impatient, but also very worried," he said. "What we have been waiting for, for so long, is now in front of our eyes. But the one thing I wish for is that there is no more bloodshed." Asked about fears for his personal safety - given his self-styled role of bridging the divisions of East Timor - he joked that he might ask to be kept under house arrest. "I think I can play a very important role after the ballot to keep my people from [expressing] euphoria, to avoid the sense of victory and avoid taking advantage of the state of mind of the other side," he said. Gusmao is grateful to the international community for pressuring Indonesia to hold the ballot and welcomes offers of support for any future government. "I cannot say what role Hong Kong can play in our future, but we have teams working now on these problems and after the ballot we will call our brothers from the other side to see together how we can develop our country," he said. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Didistribusikan tgl. 20 Aug 1999 jam 04:39:14 GMT+1 oleh: Indonesia Daily News Online <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> http://www.Indo-News.com/ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
