Dili – Independence leader Xanana Gusmao and Dili Bishop Filipe Ximenes Belo urged the Constituent Assembly today not to rush passage of East Timor's first Constitution, saying more time was needed for an upcoming public consultation on the historic document.

Speaking at the start of a televised public discussion organised by the east Timor Study Group, Bishop Belo called for the entire month of March to be devoted to the nationwide public review of the Constitution. He said the current consultation schedule – from 26 February to 2 March – was akin to "teasing" the public. "This is our Constitution, our life, our future and our faith – therefore we shouldn't be in a hurry," the Bishop said.

Gusmao said he had recently expressed similar sentiments to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan. He added that he did not think the Constitution must be completed by East Timor's independence on 20 May. "There are countries that became independent without having a Constitution," Gusmao said. "A Constitution is the pillar of a nation. It is the mother of law, and it should be properly legitimised by the people."

The popularly elected Constituent Assembly has spent more than four months drafting the Portuguese-language Constitution. After the public consultation, there will be final period of debate before its promulgation at a 16 March signing ceremony.

Today's public discussion was organised by the East Timor Study Group in conjunction with UNTAET's Office of Communication and Public Information. It was broadcast by both Radio UNTAET and Televizaun Timor Lorosa'e.