Joanne Collins, Manatutu – East Timorese independence leader Xanana Gusmao has launched another attack on the international effort to rebuild the ravaged territory, saying aid organisations were not co-operating with Timorese officials.

Speaking at his hometown of Manatutu, 50 km west of Dili, Gusmao told reporters late on Sunday that non-governmental organisations were failing to consult with the National Council for Timorese Resistance (CNRT), the political arm of East Timor's pro-independence movement.

"We are not informed of their meetings, which are run in a clandestine way," Gusmao said. "It is now clear there must be cooperation with the CNRT."

Gusmao spoke after a 90-minute closed meeting with about 20 NGO representatives. He said his greatest concern was food distribution. "There are cases where people ended up selling rice because they received more than they need while others got nothing," he said

Sandra Vieira, the mission head for Portugal's International Medical Assistance (IMA), said Gusmao's remarks were "disappointing" and underestimated NGO efforts to try to work in harmony with the East Timorese.

"I was a bit shocked by Xanana's comments, especially when we've been asking for an East Timorese [to be] present at all our meeting, but they just didn't come," Vieira said.

Another aid worker, who asked not to be named, said NGOs were not able to work with the CNRT because it was a political body "The CNRT wants to work with the NGOs, but the NGOs can't affiliate themselves with a political organisation," he said.

Gusmao also criticised some NGOs for limiting the use of local staff to ancillary jobs. He did not name specific NGOs or say how he wanted them to co-operate with the CNRT.

Early last week, Gusmao criticised the World Bank and the United Nations for pushing their own agenda and not listening to the people.

Gusmao's visit to Manatutu was greeted by more than 2,000 East Timorese. In an emotion charged address, Gusmao said the struggle for independence had ended. "Manatutu will not suffer again, Manatutu will not cry again," he said in the local dialect.