East Timor's head Taur Matan Ruak opens arms to Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono

Timor-Leste’s new President, Taur Matan Ruak, has called for an alliance between his country, Australia and Indonesia.

The former guerilla leader and first commander of East Timor’s armed forces made the call at the flag-raising ceremony yesterday commemorating the nation’s 10th anniversary of the Restoration of Independence.

“With regard to our region, we want to boost the close and friendly relations we have with our neighbouring countries, Indonesia and Australia, and turn them into relations between allies, where our respective states will engage in a mutually respecting, equitable relationship, thus creating an alliance to safeguard the security, peace and wellbeing of our peoples,” he said.

The new President also called yesterday on political leaders to campaign for the July 7 elections on policies and manifestos, rather than emotion and personalities.

“We have seen this fragmentation occurring again and again and it is a cause of concern, for it tears the national fabric apart,” the President said.