Timor-Leste

East Timor is the country occupying the eastern half of the island of Timor in the Malay Archipelago and some smaller islands nearby. It is the youngest nation in the world having achieved independence from Indonesia in 1999.

The indigenous population are a mix of Papuan, Malay and Polynesian origin. The predominant language is Tetum. The first European invaders were the Portuguese in 1520 followed by the Spanish and the Dutch. The latter fought with the Portuguese for occupation of the territory settling eventually on a division with the western half of the island as Dutch territory and the eastern Portuguese. The island was occupied by the Japanese during World War 2.

At the end of the War the Portuguese retained control of the eastern half of the island while the western half became part of the newly independent Indonesia. By 1975 Freitlin, an independence movement, had gained control of much of East Timor from the Portuguese. The Indonesian government were able to portray Freitlin as a communist organisation and, with the tacit support of Western governments, invaded in 1975 and annexed the territory. East Timor was declared part of Indonesia in 1976. Estimates of the death toll amongst the East Timorese during the invasion and subsequent occupation vary. Some observers place it as high as 200,000 (in a population of only 650,00) whilst others estimate it to be 60,000. In spite of this the Indonesians were able to enjoy the continuing support of Western governments for their occupation until a number of high profile atrocities such as the massacre of protesters in the capital, Dilli, in 1991 led to mounting international pressure for independence.

A referendum in 1999 had four fifths of the population supporting independence but pro-Indonesian rioters, often aided by the Indonesian army, made the transition to sovereignty a violent process with thousands fleeing their homes. East Timor achieved full sovereignty in May 1999.