East Timor - Timor-Leste: Decolonisation and
Independence
Background and Colonial Division
Location: Timor is an island located approximately 2000 km east of Papua New Guinea.
Early European Interest: European traders were attracted to Timor in the 16th century due to
the presence of sandalwood.
Portuguese Settlement: The Portuguese first settled on Timor in 1520.
Dutch Arrival: The Dutch arrived in 1640.
Colonial Division:
After conflicts, the Dutch and Portuguese agreed on a division of the island in 1914.
Holland (the Netherlands) governed the western half.
Portugal governed the eastern half (East Timor).
World War II and Indonesian Independence
Japanese Occupation: Japanese forces occupied Timor during World War II.
Post-War Status: Despite the occupation, East Timor remained a Portuguese possession.
Indonesian Claims: When Indonesia gained its independence, it claimed all former Dutch
territories, and West Timor became part of the new republic of Indonesia.
Decolonisation of East Timor
Portuguese Abandonment: Portugal abandoned its colonial presence in East Timor in 1974
following a military coup in Portugal, known as the 'Carnation Revolution'.
Fretilin Gains Control: At the time of Portuguese withdrawal, Fretilin (Frente Revolucionária de
Timor Leste Independente or Revolutionary Front of Independent East Timor), a major
political party, gained control of much of the territory.
Declaration of Independence: On 28 November 1975, East Timor declared its independence
as the Democratic Republic of East Timor.
Indonesian Invasion and Occupation
Indonesian Fears: Indonesia, which already ruled West Timor, feared that an independent East
Timor might become a communist state.
Invasion: Ten days after East Timor's declaration of independence, Indonesia invaded the
territory.
Annexation: Indonesia claimed East Timor as a new province.
Resistance and Consequences:
Over the following two decades:
Tens of thousands of East Timorese died resisting the Indonesian occupation and
annexation.
Many also perished due to famine and disease.
Some observers estimate that as many as 200,000 people died during this period.
International Opposition: There was significant opposition to the Indonesian occupation
within the United Nations Organization.
Towards Independence: Referendum and Transition
Mounting Pressure: International pressure on Indonesia grew, coupled with the resignation of
Indonesian President Suharto.
Referendum: In response, the Indonesian government authorised a referendum in East Timor
in August 1999 to decide its future.
Referendum Result: Almost four-fifths of the voters supported independence.
Repeal of Annexation: The Indonesian parliament repealed Indonesia's annexation of the
territory.
Return to Independence (UN Supervision): East Timor was returned to its pre-annexation
status of independence but was designated as a non-self-governing territory under UN
supervision.
Post-Referendum Violence:
The transfer of power was marred by violence from anti-independence militants.
Hundreds were killed.
Thousands fled to West Timor but later began to return.
Full Independence and Early Years
First President: In April 2002, Xanana Gusmão, a leader of one of the former opposition
groups, was elected as East Timor's first president.
Full Independence: The territory achieved full independence in May 2002, becoming the first
new sovereign state of the 21st century.
UN Peacekeepers: UN peacekeepers were initially scheduled to withdraw in mid-2006 but
remained due to concerns over security and the humanitarian situation.
Renewed Violence: Outbreaks of violence occurred in the months leading up to the second
presidential election.
Second Presidential Election: Xanana Gusmão decided not to seek re-election, and José
Ramos-Horta was elected president in May 2007.
Australian Intervention: Australia sent troops in May 2007 at the formal request of the East
Timorese government to maintain law and order.
Anniversary Celebration: In 2012, The Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste celebrated ten
years of independence.
Colonialism and its Impacts (General Context)
Colonial Products: European colonisation in South-East Asia, as in other regions, often led to
the cultivation of cash crops for export. Examples from the region include tea, coffee, cacao,
tobacco, rubber, and sugar.
Debate on Colonialism: The material suggests a class debate on the topic: "The advantages
and disadvantages of being colonised," indicating that colonialism had both perceived
benefits and significant problems.