Francisco Xavier do Amaral facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Francisco Xavier do Amaral
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Amaral in 2007
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| 1st President of East Timor | |
| In office 28 November 1975 – 7 December 1975 |
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| Prime Minister | Nicolau dos Reis Lobato |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | Nicolau dos Reis Lobato |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 3 December 1937 Turiscai, Portuguese Timor |
| Died | 6 March 2012 (aged 74) Dili, East Timor |
| Nationality | East Timorese |
| Political party | ASDT |
| Spouse | Lucia Osorio Soares |
| Occupation | Politician |
Francisco Xavier do Amaral (born December 3, 1937 – died March 6, 2012) was an important politician from East Timor. He helped start a group called the Frente Revolucionária de Timor Leste Independente (Fretilin). Amaral became the very first President of East Timor on November 28, 1975. At that time, East Timor was a colony of Portugal and declared its independence.
He was also a member of the country's parliament for the Timorese Social Democratic Association from 2001 until he passed away in 2012. Many people in East Timor lovingly called him "Abo Xavier," which means "Grandfather Xavier."
Contents
About Francisco Xavier do Amaral
Early Life and Background
Francisco Xavier do Amaral belonged to the Mambai group. His family were descendants of kings who once ruled parts of what is now the Manufahi District in East Timor.
Becoming President of East Timor
In the early 1970s, Amaral started the Timorese Social Democratic Association. This political group wanted East Timor to become independent from Portugal. It was a very early version of the Fretilin party.
Amaral became the first President of East Timor on November 28, 1975. This was when the Democratic Republic of East Timor declared its independence. However, his time as president lasted only 10 days.
On December 7, 1975, Indonesia invaded East Timor. Amaral and the Fretilin party had to escape into the mountains. Most countries did not officially recognize East Timor's independence or Amaral as president at that time. But the people of East Timor saw him as their first leader. This is according to Damien Kingsbury, an expert on East Timor.
Imprisonment and Time Away
In 1977, Amaral was removed from the Fretilin party. He was also put in prison by a part of the party that had different ideas about how to fight the Indonesian occupation. This group moved him around often as they fought the Indonesian army.
In August 1978, his captors left him behind during a surprise attack. He was then arrested by the Indonesian Army.
From the late 1980s until 1999, Amaral helped lead a group called the Indonesian-Portugal Friendship Association (PPIP). This group worked to create talks between Indonesian and Portuguese leaders. They hoped to find a peaceful solution for East Timor.
The Indonesian government used Amaral to try and divide the independence movement. He was sent away to Bali, where he was forced to work for General Dading Kalbuadi. This general was a leader in the Indonesian invasion.
In 1983, Amaral was moved to Jakarta. There, he became friends with another East Timorese prisoner, Xanana Gusmão. They became very close during their time in prison.
While in Jakarta, Amaral tried to make peace agreements with the Indonesian government. These talks were not popular with other East Timorese independence fighters. He was later released from the general's house but lived in poverty. Amaral stayed in Jakarta until Indonesia left East Timor in 1999.
Returning to East Timor
After returning from his time away, Amaral restarted his Timorese Social Democratic Association party. He ran for President of East Timor three times: in 2002, 2007, and 2012.
In late 2001, his party chose him to run for president in the first election after the occupation. His opponent was his friend, Xanana Gusmão. Amaral said he expected to lose. But he believed it was important for East Timor's new democracy to have a real election. Gusmão won by a large amount.
Amaral ran for president again in the April 2007 election. He finished in fourth place. Another friend of Amaral's, José Ramos-Horta, won that election.
In 2011, Amaral was diagnosed with cancer. He was one of thirteen people running in the 2012 East Timorese presidential election. The election was set for March 17, 2012. However, Amaral was too sick to attend the start of the campaign on February 29, 2012. This made his chances of running difficult.
The National Parliament of East Timor met in early March 2012. They changed the election law so that Amaral's absence would not stop the whole election.
Francisco Xavier do Amaral passed away on March 6, 2012, at the age of 74. He died at Guido Valadares National Hospital in Dili. He received a state funeral and was buried at the Metinaro Heroes Cemetery in Dili.
Legacy
On May 20, 2017, a statue of Francisco Amaral was put up in Dili. This was to celebrate 15 years since East Timor became independent again. The statue is located near the Convention Center.
Images for kids
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Amaral in 2007
See also
In Spanish: Francisco Xavier do Amaral para niños
