BY MARTIN ILTIS
MELBOURNE — "In the new period, new struggles, we need new heroes", East Timorese independence leader Xanana Gusmao told those attending the launch of his autobiography here on May 4. He was explaining why he did not think he should become the first elected president of East Timor.
Gusmao's autobiography, To Resist Is To Win!, was written in secret while imprisoned in Jakarta in 1994. It also contains a collection of his speeches, interviews, essays, letters and political messages. The autobiography's editor, Sarah Niner, thanked those in the Timorese community in Melbourne who had translated the extracts from Portuguese to English.
Long-time advocate of East Timorese independence Bishop Hilton Deakin officially launched the book and paid tribute to the many Timorese heroes who have died in the struggle. Deakin noted the diversity of Gusmao's abilities, which meant that he became not only a military and political leader but also a talented writer, poet and artist.
Gusmao described his book as a collection of personal reflections, starting from the beginning of the war for East Timor's independence from Indonesia. He said that the book was part of a contribution to the historical development of East Timor which should help people "understand the determination of our people in this period of struggle [and the] desire of our people for freedom of all Timorese".
Gusmao also spoke about the problems in balancing reconciliation with justice in post-occupation East Timor, where Timorese have to live side-by-side with former Indonesian-backed militia members. Many people were deeply traumatised, he said, and there was much anger, especially amongst younger East Timorese.
Nevertheless, it is reconciliation which is badly needed if stability is to be achieved, Gusmao said. He hoped that the reconstruction of East Timor would help heal the country's wounds.
The book launch also gave the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology's vice-chancellor the opportunity to announce the university's sponsorship, along with several private companies, of three new scholarships for Timorese students.
Reflecting the connection between the struggles of indigenous Australians and the East Timorese, Gusmao was officially welcomed to Aboriginal land at the beginning of the event, and there was a stirring performance by Tiddas and a Timorese women's choir of the song "Timor Woman".