From East timor to
The democratic republic Timor Leste
TIME LINE
17thC-1879. Portugal takes a commercial interest in Timor - the eastern half of the island. East Timor is ruled from afar with local administration (governors).
1879 - The Dutch claim the western half of the Island
1914- The Permanent Council of Arbitration in Hague creates a permanent boundary between the Netherlands Western half of Timor and Portugal's Easter (copy of ruling in contents page).
1941- Australian, Dutch and British troops invade East Timor (thus violating Portugal's neutrality). Only after the invasion of the Australian, Dutch and British troops did Japan begin to occupy the area.
1974 - Portugal sought to establish a provisional government and a popular assembly that would determine the status of East Timor. Civil war broke out between those who supported independence and those who supported integration with Indonesia. Unable to control the situation Portugal withdrew.
1974 – East Timor's first major political parties were formed (11 May) these are:
1. Timorese Democratic Union (UDT) was the first political party to be formed, followed by;
2. Timorese Social Democratic Association which would later change its name to Revolutionary Front for an Independent East Timor (FRETELIN) NB: this party would concern Indonesia and its name will come up often in this course.
3. The Association for the integration of Timor into Indonesia – later would change its name to Timorese Popular Democratic Association (APODETI).
1975 - In August 1975, Indonesia fomented a civil war between UDT and FRETELIN (hoping for a UDT victory, however FRETELIN would emerge victorious after two weeks). Indonesia would then commence covert military operations against East Timor from September 1974 onwards with full-scale military operations of invasion from December 7 1975.
1975 - November 28, East Timor declares independence
1975- December 7, Indonesia invades and incorporates East Timor as a 47th province. The United Nations does not recognise this integration.
1975-1999 - Indonesia occupies East Timor. During this period much infrastructure would be created, however, there would be much bloodshed and death.
1991 - October Dili Massacres in Santa Cruz cemetery (approximately 250 shot dead in one incident and this gains global attention)
1992 - November 1992 Xanana Gusmao captured by the Indonesian military
1993 - May 1993 Xanana Gusmao tried, convicted and gaoled for 20 years.
17thC-1879. Portugal takes a commercial interest in Timor - the eastern half of the island. East Timor is ruled from afar with local administration (governors).
1879 - The Dutch claim the western half of the Island
1914- The Permanent Council of Arbitration in Hague creates a permanent boundary between the Netherlands Western half of Timor and Portugal's Easter (copy of ruling in contents page).
1941- Australian, Dutch and British troops invade East Timor (thus violating Portugal's neutrality). Only after the invasion of the Australian, Dutch and British troops did Japan begin to occupy the area.
1974 - Portugal sought to establish a provisional government and a popular assembly that would determine the status of East Timor. Civil war broke out between those who supported independence and those who supported integration with Indonesia. Unable to control the situation Portugal withdrew.
1974 – East Timor's first major political parties were formed (11 May) these are:
1. Timorese Democratic Union (UDT) was the first political party to be formed, followed by;
2. Timorese Social Democratic Association which would later change its name to Revolutionary Front for an Independent East Timor (FRETELIN) NB: this party would concern Indonesia and its name will come up often in this course.
3. The Association for the integration of Timor into Indonesia – later would change its name to Timorese Popular Democratic Association (APODETI).
1975 - In August 1975, Indonesia fomented a civil war between UDT and FRETELIN (hoping for a UDT victory, however FRETELIN would emerge victorious after two weeks). Indonesia would then commence covert military operations against East Timor from September 1974 onwards with full-scale military operations of invasion from December 7 1975.
1975 - November 28, East Timor declares independence
1975- December 7, Indonesia invades and incorporates East Timor as a 47th province. The United Nations does not recognise this integration.
1975-1999 - Indonesia occupies East Timor. During this period much infrastructure would be created, however, there would be much bloodshed and death.
1991 - October Dili Massacres in Santa Cruz cemetery (approximately 250 shot dead in one incident and this gains global attention)
1992 - November 1992 Xanana Gusmao captured by the Indonesian military
1993 - May 1993 Xanana Gusmao tried, convicted and gaoled for 20 years.
East Timor on the UN watch list since the 1960s
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. At that same time East Timor was administered by Portugal. Seeking independence from the Portuguese, the outbreak of civil war and Indonesian invasion. Fourteen years later (1974) Portugal sought to establish a provincial government and a popular assembly that would determine the status of East Timor. Civil war broke out between those who favoured independence and those who sought integration with Indonesia. Unable to control the situation Portugal withdrew. Indonesia intervened militarily and integrated East Timor as a 47th province in 1976. Some Historians claim that those groups seeking integration were financially backed by Indonesia and propaganda tactics of pancasila was used. Political pressure by the UN on Indonesia and Portugal 1982-1999 The United Nations never recognised Indonesia's invasion of East Timor and its subsequent integration as a 47th province. At the request of the General Assembly successive Secretaries-Generals regular talks were held with Indonesia and Portugal over the status of the territory. In June 1998, Indonesia proposed a limited autonomy for East Timor within Indonesia. In light of this proposal rapid progress ensued and by 5 May 1999 agreed to international assistance to conduct a referendum. The two governments entrusted the Secretary General with organising and conducting a "popular consultation" (referendum) for East Timor to decide whether they accepted Indonesia's offer of 'limited autonomy'. Referendum International Support to protect democracy: Security Council Resolution 1246 To carry out the referendum, the Security Council, by resolution (1246) authorised the establishment of the UNAMET (United Nations Mission East Timor) to implement the pending decision of the East Timorese people. In effect, the UN are in East Timor 2 months prior to the referendum. This arrangement is made possible because of the agreement signed on 5 May 1999 that allowed for international assistance - however the UN are onsite building a presence and perhaps even preventing any last minute potential threat to the process of democracy. On the 30 August 1999, East Timorese go to the polls to decide whether they accept partial autonomy from Indonesia. The result showed that 78.5% of East Timorese reject Indonesia's offer. Riots Deployment of INTERFET - International forces in East Timor -Security Resolution 1264 Following the announcement of the result, pro-integration militias, at times with the support of elements of the Indonesian security forces, launched a campaign of violence, looting and arson throughout the entire territory. The Secretary-General and the Security Council undertook strenuous diplomatic efforts to halt the violence, pressing Indonesia to meet its responsibility to maintain security and order in the territory. On 12 September 1999, the Government of Indonesia agreed to accept the offer of assistance from the international community. The Security Council then authorized (S/RES/1264) the multinational force (INTERFET) under a unified command structure headed by a Member State (Australia under operation name “Stabilise”) to restore peace and security in East Timor, to protect and support UNAMET in carrying out its tasks and, within force capabilities, to facilitate humanitarian assistance operations. Transfer of authority to United Nations Following the outbreak of violence, the Indonesian Armed Forces and police began a drawdown from the territory, eventually leaving completely. Indonesian administrative officials also left. On 28 September, Indonesia and Portugal, at a meeting with the United Nations, reiterated their agreement for the transfer of authority in East Timor to the United Nations. They also agreed that ad hoc measures were required to fill the gap created by the early departure of the Indonesian civil authorities. These ad hoc measures would mean political institutions. From international military presence (INTERFET) to peace-keeping (UNTAET) UNTAET – United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (Resolution 1272) On 19 October 1999, the Indonesian People's Consultative Assembly formally recognized the result of the consultation. Shortly thereafter, on 25 October, the United Nations Security Council, by resolution 1272 (1999), established the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) as an integrated, multidimensional peacekeeping operation fully responsible for the administration of East Timor during its transition to independence. Resolution 1272 mandated UNTAET to provide security and maintain law and order throughout the territory of East Timor;
In February 2000, marking the complete deployment of UNTAET, command of military operations was transferred from INTERFET to the United Nations Peacekeeping Force. UNTAET also began a process of reorganizing itself to resemble more closely the future government of East Timor and to increase the direct participation of the East Timorese. On 30 August 2001, two years after the Popular Consultation, more than 91 per cent of East Timor's eligible voters went to the polls again; this time to elect an 88-member Constituent Assembly tasked with writing and adopting a new Constitution and establishing the framework for future elections and a transition to full independence. Shortly thereafter, 24 members of the new all-East Timorese Council of Ministers of the Second Transitional Government were sworn into office. The new Council replaced the Transitional Cabinet created in 2000. The Constituent Assembly and a new East Timorese Government were to govern East Timor during the remaining transitional period before its independence as a democratic and sovereign State. |