Jose Alexander (Xanana) Gusmao

Jose Alexander "Xanana" Gusmao

East Timor was invaded by Portuguese in the 16th century, but they fought their way out of their misery. They thought it was the end of their fight but after they released themselves from Portuguese, Indonesia came and invaded them. They fought again for their freedom for approximately 24 years. And on the struggle of releasing Timor from Portuguese and Indonesia, was born an incredible man with the Name Jose Alexander "Xanana" Gusmao aka "Maun Boot" (big brother) and "Katuas" (the old man).

Jose Alexander Gusmao was born on 20 June 1946. He was born as the second son in a big family of nine children. His parents were teachers. After he finished school he left and started to look for jobs. He tried to be a fisherman, a typist, a reporter, but after some time he continued his studies. When he worked as a reporter, he took the name "Xanana," he said in a TV show; it was used to hide his identity when he wrote critical stories but the name sticks with him for the rest of his life.

Gusmao was recruited in the Portuguese army for three years but after he was finished for three years, he joined the Timor Independence Movement. In 1974, the government of Portugal declared that the Portuguese would withdraw from East Timor which made East Timor split into many political groups. Gusmao joined the Marxist Revolutionary Front for East Timor Independence (Fretlin), that sought the independence of East Timor, and was made Deputy Head of the department of information of this group. In that same year East Timor had a meeting with Indonesia and Australia that discussed what was best for East Timor and the meeting's result was it was best for East Timor to have integration with Indonesia if the Timorese approved.

The result disappointed the Fretlinand so it started to spread their influence. Indonesia was worried East Timor might turned communist because of Fretlinand so Indonesia began to invade East Timor. When Indonesia started sending its army to East Timor, Gusmao was already elected to the Fretlincentral committee but had to leave from the capital because of the attack of Indonesia in December 7 of 1974. In 1976 the puppets of the government voted for integration with Indonesia, even though the world didn't approve. Gusmao was shocked and in the next two years many of his friends died until it was only himself to lead Fretlinin 1978 and was formally elected the leader of Fretlinin 1981. He fought in many battles. He lived in the jungle so that the enemy wouldn't find him. He ate snakes to keep living, drank whatever kind of liquid he could find. All was for the freedom of his beloved land.

With his son

Gusmao and the Fretlinfought for their freedom but unfortunately Gusmao was caught by the Indonesia military in Dili and was sentenced a life-time in prison in Cipinang jail for "disturbing the life of East Timorese" said the judge but then was reduced to 20 years of imprisonment. Gusmao was depressed but his depression flew away when Nelson Mandela, the South African president, visited him in 1997. He had his hopes up again and his long wait was over when Suharto had to step down as president of Indonesia and was replaced by Habibi who announced the freedom of East Timor shortly after he became president. Gusmao was released in 1999 and in that same year East Timor was freed from Indonesia. The Timorese voted for their country to be independent. The military of Indonesia still tried using violence in East Timor but was condemned by UN, Portuguese, and the USA and so INTERFET was placed in East Timor. And so, with support from many countries East Timor decided their first president without any serious problems. Gusmao was elected as East Timor first formal president and first formal leader in May 20, 2002. Gusmao fought for his nation when no one did. He struggled to release East Timor from Indonesia when the East Timor itself was tricked by Indonesia but even though Indonesia caused so much pain, suffering, and victims, Gusmao declared peace with Indonesia and he forgives Indonesia for everything they have done. Even I, an Indonesian, am touched by his forgiveness and I really hope that Indonesia can have a leader like him.