Presenter: Sergio Vieira de Mello, head of UNTAET, the UN Transitional Administration in East Timor, has replied to the fraud accusations, made by UDT (Timorese Democratic Union) leader Joao Carrascalao, after the (30 August) elections (for the constituent assembly). Sergio Vieira de Mello said these comments were alarmist and violated the spirit under which the political parties signed a national unity pact. He also said that the results would talk for themselves and that all irregularities pointed out by Joao Carrascalao, or anyone else, would be investigated by the Independent Electoral Committee. Vieira de Mello also underlined the fact that Timor and its people would not benefit from the reopening of wounds inflicted in the past. Speaking in a press conference, the UDT president blamed Fretilin (Revolutionary Front for an Independent East Timor) for crimes against humanity and demanded the UN to carry out a probe on the territory's history of the period between 1974 and 1975. He added that this was a necessary step to preventing criminals from ruling the country. Jose Veladas reports on the irregularities allegations made by the UDT:

Reporter: According to the president of the UDT, these elections were fraudulent and corrupt. He said that the Independent Electoral Committee has allowed a number of irregularities which benefited mainly Fretilin.

Carrascalao: (The elections were) Corrupt and probably fraudulent. Following these irregularities, the UDT is going to challenge the results of the elections.

Reporter: Joao Carrascalao said there a campaign of fear had been carried out in these elections. He alleged that the people had been intimidated by Fretilin, its political opponent. The results of the elections are only due next week but the UDT has nonetheless requested UNTAET to investigate the crimes allegedly perpetrated by Fretilin in Timor between 1974 and 1975. The party wishes to see those who they are now accusing judged for crimes against humanity. Joao Carrascalao said he does not wish to see criminals joining the government:

Carrascalao: The UDT does not want to risk having, at any time, a country ruled by individuals who have been directly involved in crimes against humanity. The UNTAET has now the opportunity to carry out this probe. I trust the security of the key members of the UDT to the hands of the UNTAET...

Presenter: Replying to these accusations, Mario Alkatiri (leader of the Fretilin and former economy minister of the transitional administration) said that this was not the appropriate time to make this sort of statements. He guaranteed that there was no risk of violence in the territory and added that the electoral system was a reliable one.

Alkatiri: I do not know why these assumptions are being made. We do not anticipate the possibility of violence once the results are announced, also because I believe the entire electoral process which was put in place was a reliable one. The results which will be announced will surely reflect the people's vote, so I do not think there is any reason to anticipate the possibility of violence...

[Source: RDP Antena 1 radio, Lisbon, in Portuguese September 1.]