East Timor

The Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste or East Timor is a nation in Southeast Asia, consisting of the eastern half of the island of Timor, the nearby islands of Atauro and Jaco, and Oecussi-Ambeno, an exclave of East Timor situated on the western side of the island, surrounded by West Timor.

History

Main article: History of East Timor

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Portuguese were the first Europeans to arrive in the area, in the 16th century, and they established an isolated presence on the island of Timor, while the surrounding islands came under Dutch control.

Related Topics:
Portuguese - Europe - 16th century - Timor - Dutch

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In late 1941 Portuguese Timor was briefly occupied by Dutch and Australian troops, who aimed to thwart a Japanese invasion of the island. The Portuguese Governor protested the invasion, and the Dutch forces returned to the Dutch side of the island.When the Japanese landed and drove the small Australian force out of Dili, the mountainous interior became the scene of a guerilla campaign, known as Battle of Timor, waged by Allied forces and Timorese volunteers against the Japanese. The struggle resulted in the deaths of between 40,000 and 70,000 Timorese. Following the end of the War, Portuguese control was reinstated.

Related Topics:
Japanese - Guerilla - Battle of Timor - Allied

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The process of decolonisation in Portuguese Timor began in 1974, following the change of government in Portugal in the wake of the Carnation Revolution.

Related Topics:
Portuguese Timor - 1974 - Carnation Revolution

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Owing to political instability and more pressing concerns with decolonisation in Angola and Mozambique, Lisbon effectively abandoned East Timor, which unilaterally declared itself independent on November 28, 1975. Nine days later, it was invaded and occupied by Indonesian forces before this could be internationally recognised.

Related Topics:
Angola - Mozambique - Unilaterally declared itself independent - November 28 - 1975 - Indonesia

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Indonesia alleged that the popular East Timorese FRETILIN party, which received some vocal support from the People's Republic of China, was communist. With the American cause in South Vietnam lost and fearing a Communist domino effect in Southeast Asia, the U.S., along with ally Australia, did not object to the pro-Western Indonesian government's actions, despite Portugal being a NATO founding member.

Related Topics:
FRETILIN - People's Republic of China - American - South Vietnam - Communist - Southeast Asia - Australia - NATO

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Indonesian invasion was launched over the western border on 16 October 1975. The day before the invasion of Dili and subsequent annexation, U.S. President Gerald Ford and Secretary of State Henry Kissinger had met President Suharto in Jakarta where Ford made clear that "we will not press you on the issue." Several U.S. administrations up to and including that of Bill Clinton did not ban arms sales to the Indonesian government, though the latter did eventually end U.S. support of Suharto's regime. The territory was declared the 27th province of Indonesia in July 1976 as Timor Timur. However, internationally its legal status was that of a "non-self governing territory under Portuguese administration."

Related Topics:
Gerald Ford - Secretary of State - Henry Kissinger - Suharto - Jakarta - Bill Clinton - 1976

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Indonesian rule in East Timor was marked by extreme violence and brutality. During the invasion and 27-year occupation, an estimated 100,000 to 250,000 people were killed in an initial population of about 600,000 at the time of the invasion. Following a UN-sponsored agreement between Indonesia, Portugal and the US, on August 30, 1999, a United Nations-supervised popular referendum was held, the East Timorese voted for full independence from Indonesia, but violent clashes, instigated primarily by anti-independence militias (aided by elements of the Indonesian military, see Scorched Earth Operation), broke out soon afterwards. Peacekeepers led by Australia were brought in to restore order. These were later replaced by UN forces.

Related Topics:
August 30 - 1999 - United Nations - Referendum - Militia - Scorched Earth Operation - Australia

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Independence was recognised by Portugal after a visit of Xanana Gusmão to Lisbon to choose the date. They decided May 20, 2002 and East Timor joined the UN on September 27 of that year.

Related Topics:
May 20 - 2002 - September 27

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

See also: UN Transitional Administration in East Timor

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~