Restoration of Independence of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste

In 1975 the country gained freedom from Portugal, but after 9 days Indonesian troops invaded and then brutally occupied the state for nearly 27 years.

Invasion of East Timor was actively supported by the USA and Australia. That time was remarkable by severe repression. In 1999 under pressure from the UN the country held a referendum in which 78.5 % of the population expressed a desire for independence.

Within three years, the country blazed with mass riots and only after independence was declared in 2002, the former Portuguese colony returned to peace. However, in 2006 it was broken: the military demanded the authorities to mitigate the army regulations. Access to weapons allowed them to make a real revolution in the country and a general revolt burst out.

Today an independent East Timor tries to restore everything destroyed. But it is not an easy task since the state is one of the poorest countries in Asia and has no mineral resources and industry. In addition to the economic recovery, they need to create an active political and law system capable of ensuring stability and inflow of foreign investment. The state has highest hopes for a rich off-shore natural gas field near the coast of Timor Island.