Timorese Democratic Union
Encyclopedia
The Timorese Democratic Union (União Democrática Timorense) is a conservative political party
in East Timor
. It was the first party to be established in the country in 1974, following the Carnation Revolution
in Portugal
.
It originally advocated continued links with Portugal, using the Tetum slogan Mate bandera hum meaning 'In the shadow of the Portuguese
flag', but later formed an alliance with the more left-wing Frente Revolucionaria de Timor Leste Independente (Fretilin) to work towards independence in January 1975.
This alliance later broke up among accusations that Fretilin was not exercising control over its more extreme members, although by this time, UDT leaders like Francisco Lopes da Cruz had held meetings with BAKIN, the Indonesia
n military intelligence
, which had signalled Jakarta's misgivings about an independent state under Fretilin control. In August of that year, the UDT staged a coup against the Portuguese administration, and a three month civil war erupted. Many UDT politicians and supporters fled across the border to West Timor
, where they were required to sign a petition calling for East Timor's incorporation into Indonesia.
One of the UDT's most senior leaders, Mario Viegas Carrascalão, sided with the Indonesian regime, and served as the Governor of Indonesia's '27th Province' between 1987 and 1992. His brother, João, however, led the UDT in exile in Portugal
and Australia
, later joining with Fretilin in a national unity movement called the Conselho Nacional de Resistência Maubere (CNRM or National Council of Maubere Resistance
), later called the Conselho Nacional de Resistência Timorense (CNRT or National Council of Timorese Resistance).
Following the change of government in Indonesia in 1998, and subsequently the change of policy, the UDT was able to organise in East Timor, where it supported the independence campaign.
In the parliamentary election
held on 30 August 2001, the party won 2.4% of the popular vote and 2 out of 88 seats. In the parliamentary election
held on 30 June 2007, the UDT won 0.90% of the vote and did not win any seats in parliament, as it did not reach the 3% threshold to win seats.
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
in 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...
. It was the first party to be established in the country in 1974, following the Carnation Revolution
Carnation Revolution
The Carnation Revolution , also referred to as the 25 de Abril , was a military coup started on 25 April 1974, in Lisbon, Portugal, coupled with an unanticipated and extensive campaign of civil resistance...
in Portugal
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...
.
It originally advocated continued links with Portugal, using the Tetum slogan Mate bandera hum meaning 'In the shadow of the 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...
flag', but later formed an alliance with the more left-wing Frente Revolucionaria de Timor Leste Independente (Fretilin) to work towards independence in January 1975.
This alliance later broke up among accusations that Fretilin was not exercising control over its more extreme members, although by this time, UDT leaders like Francisco Lopes da Cruz had held meetings with BAKIN, 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 military intelligence
Military intelligence
Military intelligence is a military discipline that exploits a number of information collection and analysis approaches to provide guidance and direction to commanders in support of their decisions....
, which had signalled Jakarta's misgivings about an independent state under Fretilin control. In August of that year, the UDT staged a coup against the Portuguese administration, and a three month civil war erupted. Many UDT politicians and supporters fled across the border to West Timor
West Timor
West Timor is the western and Indonesian portion of the island of Timor and part of the province of East Nusa Tenggara, .During the colonial period it was known as "Dutch Timor" and was a centre of Dutch loyalists during the Indonesian National Revolution...
, where they were required to sign a petition calling for East Timor's incorporation into Indonesia.
One of the UDT's most senior leaders, Mario Viegas Carrascalão, sided with the Indonesian regime, and served as the Governor of Indonesia's '27th Province' between 1987 and 1992. His brother, João, however, led the UDT in exile in Portugal
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...
and Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, later joining with Fretilin in a national unity movement called the Conselho Nacional de Resistência Maubere (CNRM or National Council of Maubere Resistance
National Council of Maubere Resistance
The National Council of Maubere Resistance was an umbrella organization of East Timorese individuals and organizations dedicated to resisting the Indonesian occupation of 1975–1999. It was started in 1979, shortly before Xanana Gusmão became the leader of FRETILIN...
), later called the Conselho Nacional de Resistência Timorense (CNRT or National Council of Timorese Resistance).
Following the change of government in Indonesia in 1998, and subsequently the change of policy, the UDT was able to organise in East Timor, where it supported the independence campaign.
In the parliamentary election
East Timorese parliamentary election, 2001
Constituent Assembly elections were held in East Timor on 30 August 2001, the second anniversary of the independence referendum. One member was elected from each of the country's thirteen districts, whilst a further 75 were elected by proportional representation. The result was a victory for the...
held on 30 August 2001, the party won 2.4% of the popular vote and 2 out of 88 seats. In the parliamentary election
East Timorese parliamentary election, 2007
A parliamentary election was held in East Timor on 30 June 2007. Although a narrow plurality was achieved by the Revolutionary Front for an Independent East Timor , a coalition involving the next three largest groups formed a government...
held on 30 June 2007, the UDT won 0.90% of the vote and did not win any seats in parliament, as it did not reach the 3% threshold to win seats.