Timor celebrates with hopes high

DILI - The people of East Timor yesterday celebrated the first anniversary of their vote to end Indonesia's often brutal rule with songs for the dead and hope for the future.

As midnight came, the leading pro-independence group's first public congress on home soil broke into cheers, singing and cries of "Viva East Timor!"

Hundreds of delegates and observers clapped and cheered as independence leader Xanana Gusmao took the stage to mark the anniversary of the United Nations-run ballot, in which 80 per cent of the territory's voters chose to end Indonesian rule.

The result triggered bloody reprisals by pro-Jakarta militias that killed hundreds of people and forced hundreds of thousands more from their homes.

"You might shout because you are crying. You might tell the world because you are suffering. But this day is yours. Our people's day," the charismatic former guerrilla leader said, his voice breaking.

"In each house I know that people are also crying because within this atmosphere of freedom, a lot of people have lost. Lost their belongings and everything."

The anniversary was formally marked later in the day with a church service, followed by the laying of wreaths and speeches by local leaders, UN officials and Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer.

A year ago the territory opted to end more than 23 years of rule by Jakarta of the eastern half of Timor, which Indonesia invaded in 1975 after colonial ruler Portugal abruptly pulled out.

Indonesia's annexation of East Timor was never recognised by the UN or most foreign Governments.

East Timor is now under UN control, with almost 8000 international peacekeepers trying to maintain security in the face of increasing activity by pro-Jakarta militias operating out of West Timor. About 120,000 East Timorese refugees remain in West Timor.

- REUTERS

Herald Online feature: the Timor mission

UN Transitional Administration in E Timor