independence

East Timor: Assembly sets first presidential elections for early April

28 November 2001
The Constituent Assembly of East Timor today approved a motion recommending that the territory’s first presidential election be held in early April 2002, and affirmed that the formal transfer of powers and sovereignty from the United Nations to democratically elected East Timorese institutions would take place a month later, on 20 May.

UN peacekeeping force in East Timor begins downsizing process

14 November 2001
The United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) today began the gradual reduction of its peacekeeping component with a ceremony to mark the imminent departure of the 264-strong Kenyan contingent.

UN slated to start downsizing East Timor peacekeeping force next week

9 November 2001
The gradual downsizing of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in East Timor is scheduled to start next week as the territory heads towards its independence in early 2002, the UN Transitional Administration (UNTAET) said today.
UN Security Council in session

Security Council backs UN plan to help East Timor when it gains independence

31 October 2001
The Security Council today endorsed United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan's recommendations that the UN continue its role in East Timor after the territory's independence next year, stressing that a premature withdrawal of the international presence could have a destabilizing effect in a number of crucial areas.

First East Timor defence force battalion inaugurated as UN welcomes the move

26 October 2001
In a move welcomed by the United Nations Transitional Administration (UNTAET), the first East Timor Defence Force (ETDF) battalion was formally inaugurated today at a ceremony at which its Australian-built facility was officially handed over to the people of East Timor.

Annan details UN's plans after East Timor independence

22 October 2001
The primary focus for a new United Nations mission in East Timor would be to ensure the territory's security and the viability and stability of its government structures, Secretary-General Kofi Annan says in a just-released report.

East Timor: assembly slates 20 May 2002 for UN to hand over sovereignty

22 October 2001
The President of East Timor's Constituent Assembly signed today a resolution recommending 20 May 2002 as the date on which UNTAET, the United Nations Administration in the territory, will hand over sovereignty to elected Timorese Government institutions.