USA: XANANA GUSMAO E.TIMOR SPEECH

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(29 Sep 1999) English/Nat
East Timorese pro-independence leader, Xanana Gusmao, has backed two U-S bills to suspend assistance to the Indonesian government until the result of the August 30th independence vote in the province is implemented.
Speaking in Washington on Wednesday, Gusmao urged the U-S Congress to send more aid to East Timor.
He said the province desperately needed food and medicine.
East Timorese pro-independence leader, Xanana Gusmao, spoke to reporters in Washington on Wednesday.
Gusmao appealed for the United States and other western nations to send more aid to the beleaguered province.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"We are planning to build a country which will be based on democracy and human rights and peace. We will be facing a major new challenge. However, we have the duty to come here before you with a message and appeal to you for aid, for emergency assistance and aid in the year 2000. Assistance to rebuild infrastructure, to assure nutrition and medical assistance to our people now facing starvation and decease. We also call on you and appeal for assistance for our people because of the suffering we have undergone at this moment on the threshhold of independence."
SUPER CAPTION: Xanana Gusmao, East Timor pro-independence leader
Aid drops to the thousands of homeless East Timorese have been suspended after one box fell on a three-year-old boy, whose leg had to be amputated.
Rather than drop food from the air, the transport planes will be used to deploy the remaining peacekeepers and to move more aid to Dili airport for delivery by convoy.
Gusmao called on the international peacekeeping force in East Timor to restore order to the province.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Because of the security situation we face, I would like to draw your attention to the need of establishing a peace operation swiftly and in the territory so that we can safeguard the lives of our people. I regret that I must leave now and I apologise, but before leaving I want to give you gratitude on behalf of my people to the administration led by President Clinton, to all the Senators and Congressman and to the all the staff working here for welcoming me here."
SUPER CAPTION: Xanana Gusmao, East Timor pro-independence leader
Gusmao is widely considered to be the choice of the East Timorese people to head their soon-to-be-formed independent government.
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