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throughout the territory. After the United States threatened to take away its
economic support of Indonesia, the country gave in at last.
At the end of 1999, the United Nations took direct control of East Timor,
preparing it for independence. The government was called the United
Nations Transitional Administration for East Timor and was led by Australia,
with the help of several other UN member nations.
In 2002, East Timor drew up a constitution, held elections, and became
officially independent as the nation of Timor Leste on May 20. Four months
later, the country became a member of the United Nations.
COLD WAR ACROSS THE WORLD
In many respects, the Soviet Union and the western
democracies, led by the United States, used Africa and parts of
Asia as a Cold War battleground. Both sides fought
proxy
wars
in many countries as the United States and the Soviet Union
hoped to win the sympathies of newly independent nations.
A bus travels the roads
of Timor Leste to the
capital city of Dili.
Chapter Five