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Jan 1, 1515
Portugal Claim East Timor
East Timor was claimed by Portuguese explorers, for their king in 1515, -
Portuguese Colonisation of East Timor
The Portuguese invade East Timor and set up a trading post. The island is used as a source of sandalwood. -
Portuguese Timor
Portuguese officially added the region to their empire and renamed it "Portuguese Timor." East Timor was mainly used as a dumping ground for convicts. -
East Timor Split
As a result of the battle between the Portuguese and Dutch., East Timor is split and Portuguese take the eastern half. -
Japan Invade
Japanese invade, during World War II, fighting with Australian troops. Around 60,000 East Timorese killed. -
Period: to
Battle against Japan - WWII
Portugal was neutral during World War II, but in December 1941, Portuguese Timor was occupied by Australian and Dutch forces, and so was expecting a Japanese invasion. When Japan invaded Timor, in February 1942, the Allies and Timorese volunteers engaged in a guerilla campaign up until 1943. Due Timorese assistance during this period, Portuguese Timor's civilian population suffered. Japanese forces burned many villages and seized food supplies. -
Revolution in Portugal
Revolution in Portugal results in promise to free East Timorese colonies and Timor's political parties encouraged to prepare for new future. -
UDT and Fretilin
The UDT (Underwater Demolition Team- an elite special-purpose force established by the United States Navy during World War II) stage a sudden, violent, and illegal seizure of power from the Timor government; Fretilin. This lasted two weeks and the constant fighting led to around 1500 to 2300 fighters dying and 10 000 UDT supporters fleeing across the border to Atambua. -
Portuguese to Leave Timor
Portuguese Governor and administration withdraw to the offshore island of Atauro. -
Portuguese to Leave Timor
-Portuguese officers leave troops and hand over the command to -Timorese officers.
Indonesia attacks the Bobonaro border protection troops in Portugues Timor -
Fretilin Timorese Independence
Fretilin declares Timorese Independence, after brief civil war. -
Official Invasion of East Timor
Indonesian forces fully invade Dili. The Timorese flee to the mountains, staying there for 3-4 years. The UN calls for troop withdrawals, decolonisations, etc. but Indonesian military operations continue. Indonesia justifies the invasion by convincing that they are fighting againsts communism. The US, UK and Australia supply military equipment and training to Indonesian for the next 16 years. -
'Act of Integration'
Indonesia claims an 'Act of Integration' has taken place, whilst the United Nations believes otherwise. -
Period: to
Relief Programmes
Limited relief programmes begin. -
IRC Allowed
International Red Cross is finally allowed into East Timor. -
Leader of Falintil
Xanana Gusmao becomes leader of Falintil (Armed Forces of Natioanl Liberation of East Timor), the armed wing of Fretilin. -
Period: to
Lakluta Massacres
Massive recruitment of civilians takes place, to assist in the huge military operation (in the east), later known as the 'Lakluta Massacres.' -
Emergency Food Programme
International Committee of the Red Cross begins emergency food programme. -
Government Elections
First Indonesian government elections in East Timor. -
Secret Agreement
Indonesian commander Purwanto secretly signs a ceasefire agreement with Resistance leader Xanana. -
Evidence Released
Evidence of the ceasefire is released world-wide, such as documents, photos and tapes. -
Period: to
Australian Parliamentary Delegation
Australian parliamentary delegation led by Bill Morrison visits East Timor and reports that all is fine. -
Indonesia's 5 Year Plan
Indonesian government publishes a 5 year plan; birth control for 95 000 Timorese women and resettlement of 6800 transmigrants. -
US Government Estimate
The US government reports an estimate of 12 000 Indonesian troops in East Timor. -
Coalition
UDT and Fretilin's external leadership form a coalition. -
East Timorese Children
38,000 East Timorese children are reported to be suffering from malnutrition. -
Fretilin Strength
Fretilin strength at 500, as estimated by General Murdani. -
Report of Wellbeing
Governor Carrascalao finds that 70% of the population have tuberculosis, malaria is widespread and 61 districts only have 40 doctors, whilst illiteracy is 92%. -
Timor Gap Treaty
Australia and Indonesia sign Timor Gap Treaty, of which was an agreement of cooperation in th area between the Indonesian province of East Timor and Northern Australia, -
The Pope
Pope visits Indonesia and East Timor. -
Mourners Killed
Santa Cruz- cemetery massacre: troops fire on mourners during a funeral in Dili of a Fretilin supporter. More than 100 people were killed. -
Peace Boat
Lusitania Expresso; a peace boat, is sent back by Indonesian warships, in an attempt to visit East Timor. -
Indonesian Timor Commander
Brigadier-General Syafei (Indonesian Timor commander) claims that there are only 300 Fretilin fighters, of whom are in the mountains. -
Political Asylum
East Timorese groups enter many foreign embassies in Jakarta over the next few years, in attempt to seek political asylum. -
Nobel Peace Prize
Both Carlos Belo (Bishop of Dili) and Jose Ramos- Horta (resistance leader) are jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. This award raised international awareness of the battle for East Timor. -
Indonesia Considers Independence
Indonesia states that it will consider granting independence for East Timor, but only if people reject autonomy (the right or condition of self-government). -
Indonesia and Portugal's Agreement
Indonesia and Portugal sign an agreement to allow East Timorese to vote on their future. The deal is endorsed by the UN. -
Results of Referendum
The result of the referendum shows that 78% of voters favoured the right for Timorese independence. -
Campaigns of Terror with Result of Peacekeeping Forces
-An anti-independence military (also helped by the Indonesian miliary) campaigns terror, leaving up to 1,000 people dead. A quarter of the population flees to West Timor.
-An Australian-led peacekeeping force arrives and gradually restores order to East Timor. Most of the rebel military flee to West Timor in order to avoid arrest. -
International Donors
At Tokyo conference, International donors agree to provide US with $520 million; in aid to help rebuild East Timor. -
East Timor and Australia Sign Memorandum
East Timor and Australia sign a memorandum (record made for future use) of understanding for future revenues of oil and gas fields in the Timor Sea, under which East Timor would get 90% of profits. -
Fretilin Wins Election
Results of election conclude that Fretilin wins, taking 55 seats. -
Truth and Reconciliation Commission
A truth and reconciliation commission is opened, in a means to trying and heal wounds of the past. -
East Timor Assembly Aproves
The East Timorise assembly approves of the draft constitution of which the government is run along parliamentary guidelines. -
East Timor and Indonesia Relations
East Timor and Indonesia sign two agreements that are aimed to ease relations between past events. -
Xanana Wins
Xanana Gusmao wins the presidential elections. -
UN Mission of Support
The United Nations Security Council sets up a United Nations Mission of Support in East Timor, to help the East Timorese authorities. -
Member 191
East Timor becomes the one hundred and ninety-one member of the United Nations. -
Aid Package
Portugal gives East Timor $63m as an aid package. -
Landmark Border Agreement
East Timor and Indonesia sign a landmark border agreement whn Indonesian President Yudhoyono's is on his first visit to Dili since, coming to power. -
Australian Peacekeepers
The remaining peacekeepers of Australia leave East Timor. -
Truth Commissions First Meeting
The Truth commission, set up by East Timor and Indonesia, holds its first meeting. The body has no power to prosecute, but examines the violence that accompanied East Timor's independence in 1999. -
Expected Revenues
East Timor and Australia sign a deal agreeing to divide billions of dollars , from expected revenues of oil and gas deposits in the Timor Sea.
-Reports of horrible atrocities during Indonesia's 24-year rule are presented to the UN, who finds that the occupation of Indonesian was directly responsible for the deaths of more than 100,000 East Timorese inhabitants. -
East Timor and Australia
East Timor and Australia agree to divide billions of dollars in expected annual income from oil and gas deposits in the Timor Sea. The extremely inhumane acts of the Indonesians, of whom ruled Timor for 24 years are presented to the United Nations. Their occupation was found directly responsible for the deaths of more than 100,000 East Timorese. -
Foreign Troops Arrive in Dili
Around 25 people are killed and about 150,000 take refuge in makeshift camps, due to the violence, stealing and act of arson being carried out, as a result of of the soldiers who were sacked in March. Foreign troops arrive in Dili to try and restore order. -
Handling of Violence
Jose Ramos-Horta becomes the premier, after Prime Minister Alkatiri resigns his handling of the violence. -
UN Peacekeeping Mission
The UN or Non-military peacekeeping missionis set up in East Timor. -
Rogerio Lobato
Rogerio Lobato (Former interior minister) is put on trial with charges of arming civilians; during 2006 unrest. -
Presidential Election
Jose Ramos-Horta (Prime Minister of Timor) wins presidential election. -
Fretilin - Mari Alkatiri
Fretilin wins the highest amount of votes in parliamentary polls, but not enough to entirely govern alone. The party is led by former prime minister Mari Alkatiri. -
Prime Minister
Xanana Gusmao becomes Prime Minister of Timor, initiating violent protests. -
Confirmation of the Five Murdered Australian Journalists
The five Australian based journalists, are ruled as being deliberately killed by Indonesian troops ( in 1975 ) in order to stop the invasion being exposed in East Timor, by the Australian court.
