There is a continuing suspicion among foreigners that it is the UN and foreign ideas, foreign planning and foreign aid that is developing East Timor while the East Timorese leaders politic despite a country.

A tiny country with an over abundance of parties and politicians. The overlapping roles of Prime Minister and President, in a place smaller than Sydney, have still not been resolved.

Are any East Timorese leaders involved in central planning and the nitty gritty of infrastructure building (such as the country’s road system) to raise material standards of living?

Pete

An interesting review of Mr Ramos-Xorta's chances of re-election - but could it be a little biased? Having researched on line I found reports of discontent with his sometimes possibly self-indulgent activities - such as the recent Hollywood junket and his association with the bizarre Caroline Pemberton for East Timor Tourism incident. All in all I find East Timor's politics even more difficult to decipher than my own country's - I only pray that the best man ( I too believe it will be a man!) that the best man wins and that Timor Leste is the happier,more peaceful.more prosperous and more equitable for that. The Maubere people who showed such formidable courage in August 1999 surely deserve better times.