Dili, East Timor, July 30: The United Nations has praised East Timor's progress and pledged to support the impoverished young nation for "years to come". The world organization is pleased with the "remarkable achievements" made and, with the international community, "will continue to support (East Timor) for many years to come," Jan Kavan, visiting president of the UN general assembly, said in a statement.
Kavan made the comments at a wreath-laying ceremony yesterday at Ave Maria church in the western town of Suai to mark the deaths of 27 people, including three catholic priests, killed by pro-Jakarta militiamen in 1999. His two-day visit ended today.
Indonesia-backed militia fighters killed hundreds of people before an international peacekeeping force restored order, shortly after East Timor gained its independence from Jakarta in 1999 through a UN-led referendum.
The United Nations administered the former Indonesian province for two years before it became of world's newest nation earlier this year.
Many of East Timor's 800,000 people remain poor. In January, mobs frustrated by corruption and government inefficiency rioted in the capital, destroying property including the prime minister's residence.
Gangs linked to pro-Indonesia militias continue to kill and vandalize property.
Bureau Report