Xanana Gusmäo and the Resistance
Born in East Timor in 1946, Xanana Gusmäo joined FRETILIN in 1975.
He was a civil servant, and is a gifted poet. He was elected to the leadership of the FALANTIL (Resistance) forces in 1981, and led the struggle in the mountains till he was captured in November 1992. He remains in prison in Jakarta. Of the show trial he faced, Xanana said: "It is of no consequence at all to me if they pass a death sentence. They are killing my people and I am not worth more than their struggle."
Xanana launched the National Council for Maubere Resistance (CNRM) in 1988. The CNRM incorporates the armed resistance (Falantil), the clandestine front, and the exiled resistance.
The armed struggle of Falantil is now led by Konis Santana.
At the leading edge of the struggle inside East Timor are the young people who engage in non-violent resistance activities. The large demonstrations are a testimony to the near-universal opposition to Indonesia.
