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Dili – 13th April 2007 – In light of the strong show of support in the presidential elections, the first since East Timorese independence five years ago, Prime Minister José Ramos-Horta declared his intention to stand in the second round elections announced by the President H.E. Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão to be held on May 9th 2007.
With no single candidate winning an overall majority, (to gain election a candidate has to attain over 51 per cent of votes) Ramos-Horta will continue to campaign in opposition to Fretilin party's Francisco "Lu'Olo" Guterres on his platform of peace, unity and prosperity for the East Timorese people.
“We have been through tough times in East Timor recently, but this is nothing new for a post-conflict nation, and in our situation one that has been occupied for centuries, with the military occupation 1975-1999 marked by severe abuse.
“The past couple of weeks, however, have seen our population mobilise in its demands for a new direction, a brighter future and an insistence that things need to change,” Dr Ramos-Horta said.
“I vow to stand as an independent candidate and continue to give the people the voice they need to drive change, improve the basic conditions and infrastructure they need to live. I vow to unite our nation in a determination to build a better future.
“The Presidential election has demonstrated that the people are ready for change. In the light of credible allegations of corruption and coercion they have attempted to vote with their hearts and their conscience to show that they are clearly ready for change. I call on all those that recognise the need for a change in our precious nation to work with me in the second round to deliver a strong message that we will no longer tolerate intimidation and inept governance and provide me with a strong mandate to work with our government and the international community in the best interests of our people.”
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