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From 1975 to 1999, East Timor suffered one of the most brutal occupations in history. One third of the Timorese population perished. Women were forcibly sterilized, torture centers were commonplace. In 1999, when East Timor was granted its independence through a UN sponsored referendum, anti-independence militia were set loose upon the country. More than a thousand people were killed, including foreign journalists. 85% of the buidlings -- virtually every school and every business -- were burned. The tiny country of just about a million people was saved by the involvement of the international community and strong, non-violent Timorese leaders. Today it has emerged, literally from the ashes, as a fledging democracy. Recent turmoil in East Timor reflects the challenges of building peace and democracy in the twenty first century. Steps taken, again by the international community working with strong non-violent leaders in the country, have averted a civil war. But the job is far from done. It needs people like you to help move forward and hold the peace in our world's newest country. |
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Paul Simon travels to East Timor to distribute mosquito bed nets to pregnant women and mothers of small children. Go to page. |