20 years of independence for East Timor, Timor-Leste

That this House notes that East Timor, Timor-Leste, was internationally recognised as an independent nation on 20 May 2002 following its liberation from Indonesian occupation in 1999 and a United Nations administered transitional period; recalls that Timor-Leste, a former Portuguese colony, first declared independence in 1974 but, in 1975, was invaded and occupied by Indonesia without challenge from the international community; further recalls that, in 1999, following a campaign of resistance led by Xanana Gusmao, and after sustained and mounting international pressure, Indonesia allowed a UN-run referendum in which the Timorese people voted overwhelmingly for independence; recognises that the Timorese Parliament and Government have faced the task of reconstructing their country after departing Indonesian troops and militia conducted a scorched earth campaign in which many Timorese citizens were killed and the majority of the country’s infrastructure was destroyed before a UN-backed International Force for East Timor (INTERFET) could be deployed to bring the violence to an end; congratulates the people of Timor-Leste on achieving the milestone of twenty years as an independent and democratic country; wishes recently elected President Jose Ramos Horta and the Timorese people all the best as they work to overcome the legacy of colonisation and occupation; and calls on the Government to offer political and economic support as necessary to President Ramos Horta and the Timorese people in building a secure, peaceful, and prosperous country.