East Timor

Date: June 19th, 2002 |

This tiny country, which has been under Indonesian control since 1975, is descending in a spiral of violence. Anti-independence militias, often armed by the Indonesian army, have been clashing with independence supporters and the outlook is bleak for a UN-sponsored referendum scheduled for August in which citizens will choose whether to remain part of Indonesia. [read more]

East Timor

Date: August 14th, 2001 |

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The country’s first election since gaining independence from Indonesia in 1999 will be held Aug. 30. Political rallies and demonstrations preceding the election could become violent and should be avoided. Most of the country has stabilized following the bloodshed that accompanied independence, but crime is high, especially in Dili, the capital. Travel to the border [read more]

East Timor

Date: November 1st, 2001 |

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The referendum on East Timor’s independence from Indonesia, which will be orchestrated by the U.N., has been postponed a second time and is now scheduled for August 30. The vote was originally planned for August 8. Tensions are high and travel to the area is not recommended in the weeks leading up to the [read more]

East Timor

Date: July 25th, 2001 |

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Less than a year after this island nation voted for independence from Indonesia and suffered a bloodbath abetted by the Indonesian military, ominous signs are appearing that more trouble is on the way. Anti-independence militias from western Timor have infiltrated the area and threaten to launch a guerrilla war against the new nation, where UN [read more]