Timor-Leste: Nation building in a troubled land

by Joe Humphreys.

History: A former Portuguese colony, East Timor was invaded by Indonesia in 1975. Up to 300,000 people, or a third of the population, perished during Indonesian occupation.

Independence: After a 1999 ballot for independence, the UN took control of the territory for two and a half years. In May 2002, the country – then formally named Timor-Leste – officially became an independent state, making it the world's newest nation.

Elections: Timor-Leste's first presidential election takes place on Easter Monday (April 9th). There are eight candidates, headed by Nobel peace prize winner Jose Ramos-Horta, the outgoing prime minister. His main rival is "Lu-Olo" Guterres, leader of the ruling party Fretilin. The winner will replace former guerilla leader Xanana Gusmao, who was appointed as president in 2002. Gusmao is set to compete for the post of prime minister in June's parliamentary elections.

Security: Some 37 people died in political unrest in Dili in April 2006. Peace was restored only after the arrival of hundreds of Australian and New Zealand peacekeeping troops. The same troops are in Timor today - both to provide security for the elections and to chase down dissident fighters. On Dili wharf, Kiwi soldiers can be found handing out "wanted" leaflets for rebel General Alfredo Reinado. Last month(March), Australian troops attacked Alfredo's base in Same, Manufahi, killing five of Alfredo's soldiers but failing to capture the general himself.

Poverty: Timor Leste, which has a population of 857,000, is the poorest country in Asia. GDP per capita is just E320 (three hundred and twenty euro). Unemployment runs at 50 per cent-plus.

Economy: Coffee accounts for 90 per cent of the country's exports. Revenues have fallen due a global slump in coffee prices, and up to 20 per cent of this year's crop has been lost due to recent political unrest. Oil is potentially a major source of revenue for Timor-Leste. The country's resource-rich sea is being exploited under a joint-venture with Australia. However, the local population has yet to see any tangible benefits.

Irish involvement: Irish Aid is spending E6.48 million in Timor-Leste this year in areas such as local government and human rights protection. Irish aid agency Concern is also working in the country, helping internally displaced people and other vulnerable groups.

Food shortages: Recent political unrest has undermined food security. At Weberek in Manufahi, Concern is operating a food supplement programme – delivering high-nutrient products to local villagers. The aid agency weighs and measured children to identify signs of malnutrition. Immunization shots are also administered. In the Manufahi district alone, Concern helps 1,600 children and 400 pregnant or lactating women.

Refugees: More than 150,000 people were displaced by last year's fighting in the capital Dili. About 25,000 remain in refugee camps like "Obrigadu Barracks" opposite the city's main UN compound. The camp's name is a word-play on "obrigadu barak (Tetun for 'thank you, very much')", illustrative of the sometimes dark sense of humour of the Timorese. When there was fighting recently, residents took shelter in large metal containers that border the camp.

The future: Irish aid agency Concern helps to provide logistical and management support to IDPs (Internally-Displaced Persons) living in the camps. It has helped to minimize the spread the disease through hygiene projects and is now involved in efforts aimed at getting the refugees home. Many IDPs are afraid to leave, however, amid fears that the elections will spark another wave of violence.