Timor-Leste was a Portuguese colony for several hundred years. During the decolonization era of the 1970’s Portugal withdrew and a year later, in 1976, Indonesia invaded Timor-Leste. An Independence movement began and lasted until United Nations intervention in 1999 that set the stage for the people of Timor-Leste to participate in a “popular consultation” that allowed them to choose between independence and local autonomy.

The referendum resulted in overwhelming support for independence. An international peacekeeping force preceded the United Nations UNTAET mission to administer the territory during the transition period to independence.

The rebuilding of Timor-Leste has been considered until recently one of the UN's biggest success stories. In May 2002, UN Security Council set up UNMISET to help Timor-Leste’s elected authorities. The Mission lasted until June 2005 when remaining Australian peacekeepers left the country and left behind a small support office in Timor-Leste that was due to expire in May 2006. In May 2006, Australian troops were sent back to Timor-Leste to restore order, as clashes involving discharged soldiers descended into violence.

The new Prime Minister was named in July 2006.

Update by Ulrika Nilsson

During summer of 2006, the process to set up an Independent Special Commission of Inquiry by the United Nations and to investigate the recent violence.

The international community assisted in the humanitarian work to set up refugee tents and to deliver emergency aid for the over 150,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) as a result of the earlier violence.

In August 2006, the small support office/political mission (UNOTIL) ended as a new peacekeeping operation (UNMIT) of about 1600 police officers (UNPol) was established by the Security Council of the United Nations to increase the stability of the country, to coordinate relief efforts, to strengthen democratic governance, to support the judicial system and to assist in the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections in 2007

In October 2006, Atkul Khare of India became the head of UNMIT and a high-level electoral team was added to the mission to support the upcoming elections.

In January 2007, a Memorandum of Understanding was concluded to bring trilateral coordination of the Government of Timor-Leste, UNMIT and the International Security Forces (ISF), mostly consisting of Australian troops, to increase stability through shared information and cooperation for the upcoming elections.

In February 2007, Indonesia and Timor-Leste creates the Commission of Truth and Friendship to investigate the violence that took place in 1999 during UNAMET.

Update by Christopher Goldblum

Violence broke out in April 2006 stemming from differences between the eastern and western regions of the country. The fighting led to the deaths of 37 people and the displacement of an estimated 15 percent of the population.

During summer of 2006, the process to set up an Independent Special Commission of Inquiry by the United Nations and to investigate the recent violence begins. The international community provided assistance for humanitarian work, setting up refugee tents and delivering emergency aid for the over 150,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) as a result of the earlier violence.

In August 2006, the small support office/political mission (UNOTIL) ended. A new peacekeeping operation (UNMIT) of about 1600 police officers (UNPol) was established by the Security Council of the United Nations to help bring about stability in the country, to coordinate relief efforts, to strengthen democratic governance, to support the judicial system and to assist in the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections in 2007.

In October 2006, Atkul Khare of India became the head of UNMIT and a high-level electoral team was added to the mission to support the upcoming elections.

A Memorandum of Understanding was concluded in January 2007 to bring trilateral coordination of the Government of Timor-Leste, UNMIT and the International Security Forces (ISF), mostly consisting of Australian troops, to increase stability through shared information and cooperation for the upcoming elections.

In February 2007, Indonesia and Timor-Leste creates the Commission of Truth and Friendship (CTF) to investigate the violence that took place in 1999 during UNAMET.

National elections to select a new government began in April 2007. Assisted by UNMIT – and with additional international support – the elections marked the first time in the nation’s history that national elections were conducted and organized by the people of Timor-Leste.

The electoral period ended in June 2007. A new president (Mr. Jose Ramos-Horta), prime minister (Mr. Kay Rala Xanana) and national parliament were chosen and sworn in over the following two months. Although international observers declared the elections to be satisfactorily free and fair, the post-electoral period was marred by sporadic outbreaks of violence and incidences of destruction of property.

Needed reforms in rule of law institutions, such as the judicial system, security sector reform, resolving the issue of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and strengthening the law-enforcement areas, continue to progress under international supervision.

The Commission of Truth and Friendship is scheduled to hold a final meeting in late September 2007 to continue with its efforts of peaceful rapprochement between the governments of Timor-Leste and Indonesia.