'There are more parallels to the Indonesian situation here than you would think'

With only a few days left before East Timor goes to the polls, a long line of trucks and motorcycles rolled along Dili's palm-fringed waterfont yesterday in an attempt to rally support for the Partido Democratico (PD).

The convoy made its way to Dili's stadium, a dry open field, which has been hosting the last of the political rallies ahead of Thursday's election for a constituent assembly that will draft East Timor's first national constitution.

A day earlier, tribal dancers in feathered head-dresses performed at the stadium in an attempt to whip up enthusiasm for the Partido Socialista de Timor (PST).

The events are all part of East Timor's first attempt at a free election, and so far, say UN officials, the campaign is going well. Election-related violence has not occurred.

Alleged threats of reprisals for voting against front-runner Fretilin continue to be an issue, but Fretilin leaders say their words have been misinterpreted.

Despite expectations of a landslide win for Fretilin, the results of this historical vote might be more balanced than some expect, said a leader of the Partido Social Democratica (PSD), Agio Pereira. 'The real campaign is not what you see,' he said. 'Our society is very structured, since the Indonesian occupation [1975-1999] we are not used to identifying ourselves with political parties. This is a new phenomenon for us. It is part of the process of liberation.

'Since 1974 . . . being part of a political group has always had dire consequences. So we are more reserved. There are core groups, which are active, but the vast population is watching from the sidelines,' he said.