FRETILIN (Revolutionary Front of Independent East Timor) is a political party and a movement in East Timor. It was formed in 20th of May 1974 under the name of ASDT (Timorese Social Democrat Association) and became FRETILIN (with a more radical shift in politics) in 11th September 1974.

On 28th November 1975 FRETILIN unilaterally declared East Timor independent witht the official name of Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste. Indonesia invaded East Timor or Timor-Leste shortly after and FRETILIN became the only political/armed group to lead the East Timorese resistance against Indonesia's occupation.

In September 1999 the people of East Timor voted overwhelmingly to reject continued association with Indonesia, paving the way to independence. East Timor's first free election to elect a Constituent Assembly, was held in September 2001. Sixteen political parties and five independent candidates participated. FRETILIN received more than 50% of the votes. With twelve of the thirteen district representatives being FRETILIN delegates, FRETILIN occupied more than 60% of the seats in the Constituent Assembly, which later transformed itself into the first National Assembly or Parliament.

FRETILIN is currently in the government of East Timor since May 2002 for a term of fiver years.

FRETILIN's president, Francisco "Lu Olo" Guterres, who is the current speaker of the parliament, is running for the presidency of Timor-Leste to be held on 9th of April this year (2007). José Alexandre Gusmão, also known as Xanana, is the current president of Timor-Leste. Gusmão was once a leader of FRETILIN.

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This discussion group is closed to members of FRETILIN only.

Moderator, 2007