Presented by: Verspeeten J. ; Ostyn M. ; Prat L. ; Tanghe S. : Devriese S. : Parmentier J.
16-04-2011
First stop (East-Timor)
East-Timor, in the southeast of Asia, is independent since 2002. The way to receive this independence is still a difficult point for the inhabitants. India had made this country inaccessible for 25 years, during this occupation over a 100 000 Timorese died.
History: In the sixteenth century the Portuguese were trading in Timor. During the Second World War the Japanese penetrated Timor,lots of people were slaughtered and there was no economy anymore. After WWII the country was split in East-Timor and West-Timor. In the east the control was taken again by Portugal and West-Timor became a part of Indonesia. In 1975 Portugal decided to give East-Timor independence, but Indonesia invaded. Indonesia dominated East-Timor till 1999, in that period there were famines, executions, murders...
Since the 21st century the United Nations support East-Timor. There is unrest caused by poverty and unemployment, fortunate by this country gets lots of help from outside.
I understand the feeling of the inhabitants, they cant easily forget whats happened in the past. East-Timor tried to judge the perpetrators of the violence of 1999, unfortunately it was without success. For the moment East-Timor is the poorest country of Asia, but it is good they get help from all countries during some years.
I think the frame of mind will redevelop when their economy gets a boost. When there is less poverty, more employment... progression will help the people of East-Timor to be more positive.
Maybe their economy can recover thanks by the gas and oil found in the Timor Sea, they can cooperate with Australia to export these natural resources.
The Nobel Peace Prize Winner, Jose Ramos-Horta won the presidential elections in 2007 with nearly 70% of the votes. Also the media like radio, television and the press arise in this country.
So East-Timor is quietly getting better and I hope the UN and other countries wont abandon them.
Now Im looking forward to our next stop in Indonesia. Greeting Sofie
