Xanana writes to Nelson Mandela

His Excellency, the President of South Africa, Mr Nelson Mandela

Mr President,

On behalf of the people of East Timor, the CNRM (National Council of Maubere Resistance) and the East Timorese Armed Forces of National Liberation (FALINTIL), I send you greetings and congratulations on such a tremendous victory over the past which the present intends to erase for the sake of harmony and progress of South Africa's future generations.

I personally congratulate you, Mr President, on your unyielding fight for justice, your perseverance in standing up for human rights and your spiritual tenacity and lucidity which you maintained throughout your struggle, in spite of severe adversities.

Your election as the first president of a united, democratic, non-racial South Africa is an inspiration to the fight of oppressed people everywhere, the fight of the victims of repression, injustice and crimes committed by totalitarian regimes. Humanity has taken another step forward towards human freedom and the freedom of peoples.

Today, the suffering Maubere people have yet another reason to carry on, and to keep the flag of freedom flying. The oppressed people of East Timor have been encouraged even more to make the sacrifices needed to defend their rights, to uphold freedom and justice, and to attain peace.

The People of East Timor congratulate the South African people, for whom a new chapter in history, full of hope and prospects, is opening up. From the bottom of their hearts — the hearts of those who are also victims of repression, victims of physical and cultural genocide — the Maubere people hope that, under your guidance, Mr President, the people of South Africa wisely put into effect the ideas always held by the African National Congress, of a South Africa that offers freedom and justice to all its citizens, and harmony and understanding for all its people.

On May 10, 1994, a curtain was drawn across a time in the history of mankind which is best forgotten. The Maubere people dearly hope that all South Africans will unite in a concerted effort, under your presidency, to heal the wounds of yesterday and construct a radiant future for the South African nation.

Having said this, Mr President, we are also certain that the successful restoration of law, justice, freedom and peace in South Africa cannot be complete while, in other parts of the world, repression continues to create victims, and while governments of many countries contemplate with indifference the crimes being committed by the powerful.

For this very reason, we are sure that your struggle, Mr President, as well as the ANC's difficult fight, and the repression experienced by the black majority of South Africa, will continue to inspire your personal support, and that of the ANC, the government and the South African people for the fight of the small, weak and defenceless people of East Timor for its right to self-determination and national independence.

Long live united, democratic and non-racial South Africa!

Long live the just struggle of oppressed people throughout the world!

With my highest esteem and admiration,

Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao, Member of the CNRM, Commander of the FALINTIL,

Cipinang Prison, Jakarta,
15 May 1994