EAST TIMOR'S BIG MOMENT

October 31, 2012

East Timor is a step closer to stability and the prosperity its off-shore oil deposits could bring, as the United Nations peacekeeping mission hands over the responsibility for policing the nation to the government.

The half-island nation of East Timor has had a troubled history. It freed itself from Portuguese rule in 1975, only to be occupied by Indonesia soon after. The subsequent struggle cost the lives of approximately 200,000 people, over half due to direct conflict and the rest through malnutrition. The 1999 UN sponsored referendum, which resulted in a clear vote for independence, was followed by such vicious reprisals by militias backed by Indonesia, that first Australia and then the UN had to intervene.

The situation was so volatile, that the UN stayed and administered the nation for three years. However, the dire economic situation following independence, which was declared on May 20, 2002, led to renewed outbreaks of violence and further interventions from Australia and the UN. The latter will now, at last, be withdrawing its force of approximately 1,200 police officers.

The country's first president, Xanana Gusmão, who was re-elected as prime minister last July, said that he was delighted that the National Police of East Timor "are assuming full responsibility for maintaining law and order".

East Timor now needs to set an example of responsible government to other new or emerging nations by tackling the partisanship, greed and corruption that has been holding it back these last ten years.