51. Observing the 1999 Public Consultation Process in East Timor
- Publication Date:
- 06-2000
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- The Carter Center
- Abstract:
- The May 1998 departure of Indonesian President Suharto, following a 32-year dictatorship, raised hopes of independence for East Timor, where some 200,000 people had died since Indonesia's 1975 invasion of the Portuguese colony. In January 1999, Suharto's successor, Bucharuddin Jusuf (B.J.) Habibie, in an effort to appease the East Timorese and international community, suggested that a vote would be held on autonomy with or in- dependence from Indonesia. Details of this referendum were set forward in the May 5 Agreement, signed by Indonesia, Portugal, and the United Nations.
- Topic:
- Civil Society, Democratization, International Organization, and United Nations
- Political Geography:
- Indonesia, Portugal, and Timor