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Timorese fear being sidelined by political elite: survey

Source
Associated Press - February 7, 2002

Dili – As East Timor prepares for full independence in May, voters lack information about the draft of the country's new constitution, according to a survey released Thursday.

The survey, conducted by the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs, found that many East Timorese were concerned about how the new national charter would impact the interests of ordinary people. It said that although the most people were optimistic about the future, they feared an elite-driven political process that isn't accountable to the people.

"It is not a question of whether the East Timorese are ready for democracy, it is whether they will be given enough opportunity to participate," said Jim Della-Giacoma, country director of the US-funded democracy advocate group.

After voting for independence from Indonesia in 1999, East Timor is currently under the administration of the UN In August last year, an 88-member assembly was elected to draft the country's new constitution. The constitution is expected to be completed in March, ahead of full independence on May 20.

Although the assembly's proceedings are open to the public and broadcast on national radio and television, the majority of East Timorese outside the capital don't have access to information about it.

NDI said a representative group of 85 voters were polled for the survey. Participants were asked their opinion on the constitution, elections, political groups, local government and security. No margin of error was given for the survey.

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