News Focus: Timor-Leste



Key resources:
President Gusmão (l) and Secretary-General Annan at flag-raising ceremony outside UN Headquarters in New York.
The Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste (formerly East Timor), the first new country of the new millennium, becomes the 191st Member State of the United Nations.
“At the core of this success, were, above all, our people. Our people proved to the world to be worthy of the respect that we all owe and know." - address by President Xanana Gusmão to General Assembly
Leaders of Timor-Leste with Secretary-General Kofi Annan: (l to r) Foreign Minister José Ramos-Horta; Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri and President Xanana Gusmão.
Milestones:
27 SEPTEMBER 2002, UN General Assembly admits Timor-Leste as 191st Member State
20 MAY 2002, UN hands over authority to democratically elected government; President Gusmão swears in Parliament
17 APRIL 2002, UN officially declares Xanana Gusmão winner of first-ever presidential election.
AUGUST 2001, Timorese people vote for 88-member Constituent Assembly, responsible for drafting and ratifying a constitution for the fledgling nation.
AUGUST 1999, UN-run popular consultation gives East Timor chance to choose between automony within Indonesia or independence.
Xanana Gusmão addresses Security Council (26 April)
UN's involvement in East Timor:
THE UNITED NATIONS General Assembly placed East Timor on the international agenda in 1960, when it added the territory to its list of Non-Self-Governing Territories. Nearly 40 years later, an agreement between the UN, Indonesia and Portugal gave the people of East Timor an historic opportunity to decide their own fate. More details here.
Agreement between Indonesia, Portugal on the Question of East Timor - 05/05/99
Agreement between Indonesia, Portugal and UN on the 1999 popular consultation - 05/05/99
UN Mission in East Timor (UNAMET) - 05/99 to 10/99
UN Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) - 10/99 to 05/02
UN Mission of Support in East Timor (UNMISET) - 05/02 to present
Multimedia:
President Xanana Gusmão's address on the 100th day of independence
 Public Service Announcement on East Timor Independence (3 min.)
For more on the Independence Ceremonies click here
The East Timor Defence Force on parade during independence festivities. UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan (r) and East Timor Foreign Minister Jose Ramos-Horta. The colors of independence day celebrations in East Timor.
Presidential candidates Xanana Gusmão (l) and Francisco Xavier do Amaral show off their inked fingers as proof of voting. Voters queue up in the district of Ainaro to cast their ballot in East Timor's first-ever presidential elections. The Bishop of Dili, Filipe Ximenes Belo, is all smiles as he votes at a polling station in the territory's capital.
More photos >>


Audio

Female police officers from Timor Leste work to reduce domestic violence

Timor-Leste building bridges of reconciliation, infrastructure and institutions: Ramos Horta

Timor Leste can finally devote its full attention to building strong institutions: Ban

Related press releases

‘Stable, Steady Approach’ Vital to Long-Term Peace in Timor-Leste, Head of United Nations Integrated Mission Tells Security Council

Timor-Leste Has Shown World Democracy Best Path to Peace, Development, Says Secretary-General on 10th Anniversary of Popular Consultation

Timor-Leste, in First Report on Compliance with Women's Anti-Discrimination Convention, Pledges to Include All Citizens Equally in Building Future