U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks during a press conference with East Timor's Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao (not pictured) following their meeting, ahead of the 25th anniversary of the country's referendum and independence, in Dili, East Timor, August 29, 2024. REUTERS/Lirio da Fonseca
(Reuters) - East Timor will host United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for the 25th anniversary of its vote for independence from Indonesia on Friday, with a minute's silence planned for those who died during the campaign for nationhood.
The milestone will be marked by parliament and with a march through the seaside capital of Dili, as well as with speeches by Guterres and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao and President Jose Ramos-Horta, two heroes of the independence movement.
"Independence was not the end. It was a new beginning that called for unity and resolve for new trials and challenges to come," Guterres told reporters after landing in Dili on Wednesday ahead of the commemorations.
"Now, less than a generation later, I stand here as witness to a nation that prevailed," he added.
"A nation at peace and in harmony with its neighbours. A thriving democracy."
The tiny-half island nation of East Timor, or Timor Leste, officially gained independence in 2002 after a landmark ballot overseen by the UN in 1999. More than 78% of Timorese choose independence at the time.
Pro-Jakarta militiamen went on a violent rampage following the 1999 vote, destroying infrastructure and killing about 1,000 people, according to the United Nations.
Neighbouring Indonesia had invaded East Timor in 1975, occupying the country for more than two decades. Prior to the Indonesian occupation, the nation was ruled by colonial power Portugal.
Xanana, who served as East Timor's first president after independence, led resistance against the brutal occupation and was imprisoned by Indonesia after he was captured in 1992.
Ramos-Horta, the country's de-facto foreign minister in exile, was jointly awarded the 1996 Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to secure his country's independence.
Guterres, who was Prime Minister of Portugal from 1995 to 2002, said he could not forget the many "long days, late night phone calls and endless discussions" with Ramos-Horta during that period.
Today the nation of 1.3 million faces significant development hurdles as it works to diversify an oil-and-gas-dependent economy, and foster a new generation of leaders.
(Reporting by Kate Lamb in Jakarta; Editing by John Mair)
