A BRISBANE based Australian Army chaplain with extensive experience in East Timor has described the incident-free presidential election on April 9 as a “great blessing”.
Deacon Gary Stone said while the potential for conflict existed without a clear first round winner in the election, he believed the commitment of the East Timorese people for peace and certainty would hopefully ensure there was not a return to violence.
A deadly uprising occurred in the country last year when divisions in the nation’s defence and police forces spiralled into gang warfare and led to major civil unrest.
At least 37 people were killed and some 155,000 people fled their homes before the government led by former Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri collapsed.
Occasional unrest has continued as local authorities, with the support of Australian and international troops, search for rebel leader Alfredo Reinado.
Prime Minister Jose Ramos Horta, running as an independent, and Fretlin party candidate Francisco Guterres have emerged as the two leading contenders in the field of eight candidates for the presidential poll.
Deacon Stone said it appears the genuine will of the East Timorese people to want to love in peace has won out.
“I hope that whatever the outcome of the presidential election that people accept the result.
“This is the first step in a long rebuilding process,” he said.
