Exam 30: Toward the Pacific Century

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East Timor, also known as Timor-Leste, is a sovereign state in Southeast Asia, comprising the eastern half of the island of Timor, the nearby islands of Atauro and Jaco, and Oecusse, an exclave on the northwestern side of the island, surrounded by Indonesian West Timor. The country is located between the Timor Sea and the Indian Ocean.

East Timor has a tumultuous history. It was colonized by Portugal in the 16th century and remained under Portuguese control until 1975, when it declared its independence. However, this independence was short-lived, as Indonesia invaded and annexed the territory later that same year. This led to a protracted and often brutal conflict between East Timorese independence supporters and Indonesian forces.

After years of international pressure and a UN-sponsored agreement between Indonesia, Portugal, and the United Nations, East Timor held a UN-supervised popular referendum in 1999. The overwhelming vote was in favor of independence, but it was followed by a violent backlash from pro-Indonesian militias. The situation led to a humanitarian crisis, which prompted a UN peacekeeping force to intervene and restore order.

Finally, on May 20, 2002, East Timor became the first new sovereign state of the 21st century, officially recognized as the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste. The country has since been working to build its economy, stabilize its political system, and address the challenges of development and nation-building. East Timor is a member of the United Nations and the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP). Its economy relies heavily on oil and gas resources, but the government is working to diversify its economic base and improve the livelihoods of its citizens.