Media Release - Huge Lu Olo rallies show people's desire for unity, stability

FRENTE REVOLUCIONÁRIA DO TIMOR-LESTE INDEPENDENTE
FRETILIN

Media Release
3 April 2007


Huge Lu Olo rallies show people's desire for unity, stability


Timor-Leste (East Timor) presidential candidate Francisco Guterres Lu Olo says big attendances at his rallies across the country reflect popular belief that he is the only candidate capable of unifying the country and promoting lasting peace and stability.

Around 8,000 supporters attended Lu Olo's rally in the southern sub-district of Same yesterday, bringing total crowd figures at his rallies to just under 70,000 - far more than any other candidate.

Backed by Fretilin, Lu Olo has so far campaigned in the eastern areas of Ossu (10,000 people) and Laclubar (2,000); the western areas of Gleno (more than 6,000), Liquica (3000), Maliana (7,000), Ainaro (7,000) Suai - Zumalai (19,000); and the southern town of Aileu (6000).

Lu Olo said today: "Our rallies show that the population's confidence in me and Fretilin has not been shaken by attempts to destroy the party and destabilise the democratically elected government. My supporters have been subjected to violence and intimidation for more than a year and to their credit have generally refrained from responding in kind, despite extreme provocation. Now they have an opportunity to respond via the ballot box, and have made tremendous efforts to show their support by travelling over tough mountain terrain, by packing into trucks and by standing in torrential rain and burning heat. I want to thank the people for this magnificent show of support which demonstrates their desire to live in a fair and peaceful society free from violence, and their continued faith in Fretilin's ability to achieve that goal."

Lu'Olo will campaign in Oecussi today and in Dili tomorrow Wednesday 4 April. He will hold his final rally in Atauro, the birthplace of his wife Cidália Lopes Nobre Mouzinho Guterres, on Thursday 5 April.



For more information contact:

Jose Manuel Fernandes (Lu Olo's official election representative) (+670) 734 2174 Dili)
Filomeno Aleixo: (+670) 724 3460 (Dili)
Arsenio Bano: (+670) 733 9416 (Dili)
Sahe Da Silva (+670) 733 5060 (Dili)
Paulo Araujo (+670) 424 413 525 (Darwin, Australia)