Francisco Xavier do Amaral
Encyclopedia
Francisco Xavier do Amaral (born 1937 in Turiscai
) is an East Timor
ese politician. A founder of the Frente Revolucionaria de Timor Leste Independente (Fretilin), he was sworn in as President when the country, then a Portuguese
colony, made a unilateral declaration of independence on November 28, 1975. He has been a member of the National Parliament of East Timor
for the Timorese Social Democratic Association
since 2001.
Following the Indonesia
n invasion of the country on December 7, he fled into the mountains. He was ousted from Fretilin in 1977 amid disagreements over strategy for opposing the Indonesian occupation. A Fretilin faction took him prisoner, moving him frequently as they battled the Indonesian military forces. He was abandoned in August 1978 when his Fretilin captors were ambushed, and was promptly arrested by Indonesian forces. He was placed under effective house arrest
first in Bali
, then after 1983 in Jakarta
, until Indonesia withdrew from East Timor in 1999.
In April 2002, Amaral ran against Xanana Gusmão
in the president
ial elections, but was soundly defeated. During the campaign he said that he fully expected to lose to Gusmão, but believed that running was symbolically important, demonstrating the strength of East Timor's democracy by ensuring that Gusmão had competition in the race.
Amaral ran again for president in the April 2007 presidential election
, taking fourth place with 14.39% of the vote.
Turiscai
Turiscai is a town and subdistrict in the Manufahi District of East Timor. Its population at the 2004 census was 6,073.-Reference:*...
) is an East Timor
East Timor
The Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, commonly known as East Timor , is a state in Southeast Asia. It comprises the eastern half of the island of Timor, the nearby islands of Atauro and Jaco, and Oecusse, an exclave on the northwestern side of the island, within Indonesian West Timor...
ese politician. A founder of the Frente Revolucionaria de Timor Leste Independente (Fretilin), he was sworn in as President when the country, then a Portuguese
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
colony, made a unilateral declaration of independence on November 28, 1975. He has been a member of the National Parliament of East Timor
National Parliament of East Timor
The National Parliament of East Timor is the unicameral national legislature in East Timor. It was created in 2001 as the Constituent Assembly while the country was still under the supervision of the United Nations, but renamed itself to the National Parliament with the attaining of national...
for the Timorese Social Democratic Association
Timorese Social Democratic Association
The Timorese Social Democratic Association is a social-democratic political party in East Timor....
since 2001.
Following the Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
n invasion of the country on December 7, he fled into the mountains. He was ousted from Fretilin in 1977 amid disagreements over strategy for opposing the Indonesian occupation. A Fretilin faction took him prisoner, moving him frequently as they battled the Indonesian military forces. He was abandoned in August 1978 when his Fretilin captors were ambushed, and was promptly arrested by Indonesian forces. He was placed under effective house arrest
House arrest
In justice and law, house arrest is a measure by which a person is confined by the authorities to his or her residence. Travel is usually restricted, if allowed at all...
first in Bali
Bali
Bali is an Indonesian island located in the westernmost end of the Lesser Sunda Islands, lying between Java to the west and Lombok to the east...
, then after 1983 in Jakarta
Jakarta
Jakarta is the capital and largest city of Indonesia. Officially known as the Special Capital Territory of Jakarta, it is located on the northwest coast of Java, has an area of , and a population of 9,580,000. Jakarta is the country's economic, cultural and political centre...
, until Indonesia withdrew from East Timor in 1999.
In April 2002, Amaral ran against Xanana Gusmão
Xanana Gusmão
Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão GCL is a former militant who was the first President of East Timor, serving from May 2002 to May 2007...
in the president
President
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
ial elections, but was soundly defeated. During the campaign he said that he fully expected to lose to Gusmão, but believed that running was symbolically important, demonstrating the strength of East Timor's democracy by ensuring that Gusmão had competition in the race.
Amaral ran again for president in the April 2007 presidential election
East Timorese presidential election, 2007
The 2007 East Timorese presidential election involved two separate votes. The first, on 9 April 2007 eliminated six of the eight nominees. The remaining two candidates, current Prime Minister José Ramos-Horta and Revolutionary Front for an Independent East Timor President Francisco Guterres, faced...
, taking fourth place with 14.39% of the vote.