East Timor : New Nation in a New Century Quiz

Answer: Portugal

Portugal's "ownership" of East Timor dates from the 16th century.
In April 1974 Portuguese dictator, Marcelo Caetano, was overthrown.
Those who replaced him set in motion the wheels of independence of several Portuguese colonial outposts, including Angola, Mozambique
and East Timor. Portugal continued to maintain an interest in East
Timorese affairs.

Answer: Fretilin

Fretilin (Revolutionary Front for the Independence of East Timor) was formed originally to fight Portuguese occupation. The other major
political presence at the time of release from Portuguese rule was
The Timorese Democratic Union (UDT). Early in 1975 the two movements
joined forces to prepare for what appeared to be imminent statehood.

Answer: Indonesia

Acting under the pretext of restoring peace and security, Indonesian
forces landed in East Timor on December 7, 1975. Annexation followed
in 1976.

Answer: Pope John Paul II

The Pope's visit was seen as a major Indonesian concession towards
the predominantly Catholic East Timorese. Any hopes that he would be
the catalyst in bringing about self determination were soon dashed
however. Instead, when a pro-democracy scuffle broke out during the
Pontiff's speech, authorities dealt with it in their usual un-compromising style.

Answer: Santa Cruz Cemetery, Dili.

Several Western journalists watched Indonesian troops fire on the
demonstrators. A British cameraman caught the carnage on video.
Two US journos, Allan Nairn and Amy Goodman later testified
about the killings before Congress. A local organisation, "Peace is
Possible in East Timor" reportedly identified 271 victims by name.

Answer: Xanana Gusmao

Xanana Gusmao became Fretilin leader in 1978 and Commander-in-Chief of Falantil, the Movement's military wing, in 1981. Through his
Policy of National Unity, Gusmao played a pivotal role in propelling
his people toward independence.

Answer: Jose Ramos- Horta and Bishop Carlos Bela

Jose Ramos-Horta, a radio and television journalist was previously
exiled by the Portuguese for agitating for independence. He placed
himself in self-imposed exile only days before the Indonesian incursion, but continued to fight for East Timor from Australia.
Carlos Belo became Bishop of Dili in 1983. He used his position to
heighten international awareness of his people's plight.
The Peace Prize Citation read: "For their work towards a just and peaceful solution to the conflict in East Timor."

Answer: The United Nations Mission in East Timor

In 1998, Indonesia decided upon offering limited autonomy for East
Timor within Indonesia. In 1999, Indonesia and Portugal agreed to
allow the Secretary-General of the United Nations to hold a referendum
in East Timor on the issue of limited autonomy.

Answer: B.J. Habibie

Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie became president in May 1998, when Suharto
resigned amidst allegations of corruption and human rights abuses.
Those charges had helped focus attention on East Timor. The referendum overwhelmingly rejected limited autonomy (21.5% in favour; 78.5% against.) (www.un.org/peace/etimor)

Answer: authorised a multi-national force to maintain law and order

Recognising that the situation was becoming increasingly untenable,
Indonesia agreed to accepting international help. The Security Council reacted by authorising a multi-national force (INTERFET)
to establish and maintain law and order.