President of East Timor
Coat of arms of East Timor
Incumbent Taur Matan Ruak since 20 May 2012
Term length	Five years
Inaugural holder	Francisco Xavier do Amaral
Formation	28 November 1975

East Timor

This article is part of the series: Politics and government of Timor Leste

Constitution President Taur Matan Ruak Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão 2006 political crisis National Parliament Political parties Elections: Presidential: 2007, 2012 Parliamentary: 2007, 2012 Districts Subdistricts Sucos Foreign relations Foreign Aid to Timor Leste

Other countries · Atlas Politics portal view talk edit

The President of East Timor is the Head of state of the East Timorese republic, elected by popular vote for a five-year term. The role is largely symbolic, though he is able to veto some legislation. Following elections, the president appoints as the prime minister, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition. As head of government the prime minister presides over the Council of State or cabinet.

List of Presidents of East Timor[link]

Presidents of East Timor during War for Independence[link]

      Revolutionary Front for an Independent East Timor (FRETILIN)

#	Portrait	Name (Birth–Death) (Title)	Term of Office		Party
1		Francisco Xavier do Amaral (1937–2012) President	28 November 1975	7 December 1975	FRETILIN
—		Nicolau dos Reis Lobato (1952–1978) Acting President	7 December 1975	31 December 1978[1]	FRETILIN

[edit] Presidents of the Democratic Republic of East Timor

      National Congress for Timorese Reconstruction (CNRT)
      Democratic Party (PD)

#	Portrait	Name (Birth–Death) (Title)	Term of Office		Party
1		Xanana Gusmão (b. 1946) President	20 May 2002	20 May 2007	Independent
2		José Ramos-Horta (b. 1949) President	20 May 2007	20 May 2012[2]	Independent
—		Vicente Guterres (b. 1955) Acting President[3]	11 February 2008	13 February 2008	CNRT
—		Fernando de Araújo (b. 1963) Acting President[3]	13 February 2008	17 April 2008	PD
3		Taur Matan Ruak (b. 1956) President	20 May 2012	Incumbent	Independent

Footnotes[link]

Latest election[link]

See also[link]

• List of colonial heads of Portuguese Timor
• Prime Minister of East Timor
• Lists of office-holders

v t e  East Timor topics Politics Constitution · President · Prime Minister · Parliament · Elections · Political parties · Military · Coat of arms · Human rights · Foreign relations · Law · Law enforcement · Foreign aid · United Nations mission History Timeline · Pre-colonial Timor · Portuguese colonisation · Japanese invasion · Indonesian invasion · Indonesian occupation · Dili massacre · 1999 referendum · 1999 crisis · Peacekeeping efforts · Transition to independence · Tribunals · 2006 crisis · 2008 crisis Geography Timor · Protected areas · Tatamailau · Islands · Rivers · Wildlife · Districts · Subdistricts · Sucos · Towns Economy Centavo · Pataca · Escudo · Communications · Transport · Airports Society Culture · Demographics · Languages · Music · Literature · Sports · Notable people · Religion · Flag · Anthem Outline · Index · Portal

v t e Presidents of East Timor Xanana Gusmão • José Ramos-Horta • Vicente Guterres (Acting) • Fernando de Araújo (Acting) • José Ramos-Horta • Taur Matan Ruak

Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste Repúblika Demokrátika Timór-Leste[1] (Tetum) República Democrática de Timor-Leste (Portuguese)
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: "Unidade, Acção, Progresso"  (Portuguese) ("Unity, Action, Progress")
Anthem: Pátria
Capital (and largest city)		Dili 8°34′S 125°34′E / 8.567°S 125.567°E / -8.567; 125.567
Official language(s)		Tetum and Portuguese1
Working languages		Indonesian and English[2]
Demonym		East Timorese
Government		Unitary parliamentary democratic republic
-	President	Taur Matan Ruak
-	Prime Minister	Xanana Gusmão
Legislature		National Parliament
Independence		from Portugal, Indonesia²
-	Established	1702
-	Declared	November 28, 1975
-	Restored	May 20, 2002
Area
-	Total	14,874 km2 (159th) 5,743 sq mi
-	Water (%)	negligible
Population
-	2010 estimate	1,066,582[3] (155th)
-	Density	76.2/km2 (132nd) 197.4/sq mi
GDP (PPP)		2011 estimate
-	Total	$9.507 billion[4]
-	Per capita	$8,701[4]
GDP (nominal)		2011 estimate
-	Total	$4.315 billion[4]
-	Per capita	$3,949[4]
HDI (2011)		0.495[5] (low) (147th)
Currency		US$³ (USD)
Time zone		(UTC+9)
Drives on the		left
Internet TLD		.tl4
Calling code		+670
1	15 further "national languages" recognised by the Constitution.
2	Indonesia invaded East Timor on December 7, 1975 and left in 1999.
3	Centavo coins also used.
4	.tp is being phased out.

The Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste (tiˈmɔr ˈlɛʃteɪ), commonly known as East Timor ⁱ/ˌiːst ˈtiːmɔr/ (Tetum: Timór Lorosa'e, Portuguese: Timor-Leste), is a sovereign state in Southeast Asia.^[a] It comprises the eastern half of the island of Timor, the nearby islands of Atauro and Jaco, and Oecusse, an exclave on the northwestern side of the island, within Indonesian West Timor. The small country of 15,410 km²^[6] (5,400 sq mi) is located about 640 km (400 mi) northwest of Darwin, Australia.

East Timor was colonized by Portugal in the 16th century, and was known as Portuguese Timor until Portugal's decolonization of the country. In late 1975, East Timor declared its independence, but later that year was invaded and occupied by Indonesia and was declared Indonesia's 27th province the following year. In 1999, following the United Nations-sponsored act of self-determination, Indonesia relinquished control of the territory and East Timor became the first new sovereign state of the 21st century on May 20, 2002. East Timor is one of only two predominantly Roman Catholic countries in Asia, the other being the Philippines.

East Timor has a lower-middle-income economy.^[7] It continues to suffer the aftereffects of a decades-long independence struggle against Indonesia, which damaged infrastructure and displaced thousands of civilians. It is placed 147th by Human Development Index (HDI).

[edit] Name

"Timor" derives from timur, the word for "east" in Indonesian and Malay, which became Timor in Portuguese and entered English as Portuguese Timor. Lorosa'e (lit "rising sun") is the word for "east" in Tetum.

The official names under the Constitution are República Democrática de Timor-Leste in Portuguese (pronounced: [tiˈmoɾ ˈlɛʃtɨ]) and Repúblika Demokrátika Timor-Leste in Tetum. The Indonesian name Timor Timur, abbreviated Timtim, is now less widely used, with the Indonesian government and media now using Timor Leste.

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) official short form in English and all other languages is Timor-Leste (codes: TLS & TL), which has been adopted by the United Nations,^[8] the European Union,^[9] and the national standards organisations of France (AFNOR), the United States of America (ANSI),^[10] United Kingdom (BSI), Germany (DIN) and Sweden (SIS). A notable exception to this practice is Australia, which uses "East Timor".

The island's former two-letter country code, TP, is gradually being phased out.

History[link]

It is believed that descendants from at least three waves of migration still live in East Timor. The first were related to the principal Australoid indigenous groups of New Guinea and Australia, and arrived before 40,000 years ago. Around 3000 BC, Austronesians migrated to Timor, and are thought to be associated with the development of agriculture on the island.^{[citation needed]} Thirdly, proto-Malays arrived from south China and north Indochina.^[11] Before colonialism Timor was included in Chinese and Indian trading networks, being in the 14th century an exporter of aromatic sandalwood, slaves, honey and wax. Early European explorers report that the island had a number of small chiefdoms or princedoms in the early 16th century.

Portuguese Timor Arms (1935–1975)^[12]

The Portuguese established outposts in Timor and Maluku. Effective European occupation of a small part of the territory began in 1769, when the city of Dili was founded and the colony of Portuguese Timor declared.^[13] A definitive border between the Dutch colonised western half of the island and the Portuguese colonised eastern half of the island was established by the Hague Treaty of 1914^[14], and it remains the international boundary between the successor states East Timor and Indonesia. For the Portuguese, East Timor remained little more than a neglected trading post until the late nineteenth century, with minimal investment in infrastructure, health, and education. Sandalwood remained the main export crop with coffee exports becoming significant in the mid-nineteenth century. In places where Portuguese rule was asserted, it tended to be brutal and exploitative.^[15]

At the beginning of the twentieth century, a faltering home economy prompted the Portuguese to extract greater wealth from its colonies, which was met with Timorese resistance.^[15] During World War II, the Japanese occupied Dili, and the mountainous interior became the scene of a guerrilla campaign, known as the Battle of Timor. Waged by Allied forces and Timorese volunteers against the Japanese, the struggle resulted in the deaths of between 40,000 and 70,000 Timorese.^[16] Following the end of the war, Portuguese control was reinstated.

The decolonisation process instigated by the 1974 Portuguese revolution saw Portugal effectively abandon the colony of East Timor. A civil war between supporters of East Timorese political parties, Fretilin and the UDT, broke out in 1975 as UDT attempted a coup which Fretilin resisted with the help of local Portuguese military.^[17] Independence was unilaterally declared on November 28, 1975.^{[citation needed]} The Indonesian government was fearful of an independent communist state within the Indonesian archipelago, and at the height of the Cold War, Western governments were supportive of Indonesia's position. The Indonesian military launched a full-scale invasion of East Timor in December 1975. Indonesia declared East Timor as its 27th province on July 17, 1976.^[18] The UN Security Council opposed the invasion and the territory's nominal status in the UN remained "non-self-governing territory under Portuguese administration."

Demonstration for independence from Indonesia.

Indonesia's occupation of East Timor was marked by violence and brutality. A detailed statistical report prepared for the Commission for Reception, Truth and Reconciliation in East Timor cited a minimum bound of 102,800 conflict-related deaths in the period 1974–1999, namely, approximately 18,600 killings and 84,200 'excess' deaths from hunger and illness.^[19] The East Timorese guerrilla force, Falintil, fought a campaign against the Indonesian forces from 1975–1999. The 1991 Dili Massacre was a turning point for the independence cause internationally, and an East Timor solidarity movement grew in Portugal, Australia, and the United States.

Following the resignation of Indonesian President Suharto, a UN-sponsored agreement between Indonesia and Portugal allowed for UN-supervised popular referendum in August 1999. The resulting clear vote for independence was met with a punitive campaign of violence by Timorese pro-integration militia with the support of elements of the Indonesian military. An Australian-led international peacekeeping force, INTERFET, was sent (with Indonesian permission) until order was restored. The administration of East Timor was taken over by the UN through the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) in October 1999.^[20] The INTERFET deployment ended in February 2000 with the transfer of military command to the UN.^[21] East Timorese independence was formalised on May 20, 2002 with Xanana Gusmão sworn in as the country's first President. East Timor became a member of the UN on September 27, 2002.

The following year, Gusmão declined another presidential term and in the build-up to the April 2007 presidential elections there were renewed outbreaks of violence. José Ramos-Horta was elected President in the May 2007 election.^[22] Ramos-Horta was critically injured in an attempted assassination in February 2008. Prime Minister Gusmão also faced gunfire separately but escaped unharmed. Australian reinforcements were immediately sent to help keep order.^[23]

In 2006, the United Nations sent in security forces to restore order when unrest and factional fighting forced 15 percent of the population (155,000 people) to flee their homes. In March 2011, the UN handed-off operational control of the police force to the East Timor authorities, but more than 1,200 UN police officers still patrol on the street. After the 2012 presidential election, the missions are scheduled to end.^[24]

Politics[link]

José Ramos-Horta, the President of East Timor in 2008–2012.

Government Palace in Dili.

The head of state of East Timor is the President of East Timor, who is elected by popular vote for a five-year term. Although the role is largely symbolic, the president does have veto power over certain types of legislation. Following elections, the president appoints the leader of the majority party or majority coalition as the Prime Minister of East Timor. As head of government, the prime minister presides over the Council of State or cabinet.

The unicameral Timorese parliament is the National Parliament or Parlamento Nacional, whose members are elected by popular vote to a five-year term. The number of seats can vary from a minimum of fifty-two to a maximum of sixty-five, though it exceptionally has eighty-eight members at present, due to this being its first term of office. The East Timorese constitution was modelled on that of Portugal. The country is still in the process of building its administration and governmental institutions.

Government departments include the Policia Nacional de Timor-Leste (police), East Timor Ministry for State and Internal Administration, Civil Aviation Division of Timor Leste and Immigration Department of Timor Leste.

Subdivisions[link]

East Timor is divided into thirteen administrative districts. The districts are subdivided into 65 subdistricts, 442 sucos (villages) and 2,225 aldeias (hamlets).^[25]

A clickable map of East Timor exhibiting its 13 administrative districts.

Geography[link]

Map of East Timor showing cities and main roads.

Tasitolu in Dili.

Located in southeast Asia,^[26] the island of Timor is part of the Maritime Southeast Asia, and is the largest and easternmost of the Lesser Sunda Islands. To the north of the mountainous island are the Ombai Strait, Wetar Strait and the greater Banda Sea, to the south the Timor Sea separates the island from Australia, while to the west lies the Indonesian Province of East Nusa Tenggara. The highest mountain of East Timor is Tatamailau (also known as Mount Ramelau) at 2,963 meters (9,721 ft).

East Timor lies between latitudes 8° and 10°S, and longitudes 124° and 128°E.

The local climate is tropical and generally hot and humid, characterised by distinct rainy and dry seasons. The capital, largest city and main port is Dili, and the second-largest city is the eastern town of Baucau.

The easternmost area of Timor-Leste consists of the Paitchau Range and Iralalaro area. This area is the first conservation area in Timor-Leste, the Nino Konis Santana National Park. It contains the last remaining tropical dry forested area within the country. It hosts a number of unique plant and animal species and is sparsely populated.^[27] The northern coast is characterised by a number of coral reef systems that have been determined to be at risk.^[28]

Economy[link]

Coffee production in the subdistricts of East Timor

Prior to and during colonization, Timor was best known for its sandalwood.

In late 1999, about 70% of the economic infrastructure of East Timor was destroyed by Indonesian troops^{[citation needed]} and anti-independence militias, and 260,000 people fled westward. From 2002 to 2005, an international program led by the UN, manned by civilian advisers, 5,000 peacekeepers (8,000 at peak) and 1,300 police officers, substantially reconstructed the infrastructure. By mid-2002, all but about 50,000 of the refugees had returned.

One promising long-term project is the joint development with Australia of petroleum and natural gas resources in the waters southeast of Timor. The Portuguese colonial administration granted concessions to Oceanic Exploration Corporation to develop the deposits. However, this was curtailed by the Indonesian invasion in 1976. The resources were divided between Indonesia and Australia with the Timor Gap Treaty in 1989.^[29] The treaty established guidelines for joint exploitation of seabed resources in the area of the "gap" left by then-Portuguese Timor in the maritime boundary agreed between the two countries in 1972.^[30] Revenues from the "joint" area were to be divided 50%–50%. Woodside Petroleum and ConocoPhillips began development of some resources in the Timor Gap on behalf of the two governments in 1992.

East Timor inherited no permanent maritime boundaries when it attained independence, repudiating the Timor Gap Treaty as illegal. A provisional agreement (the Timor Sea Treaty, signed when East Timor became independent on May 20, 2002) defined a Joint Petroleum Development Area (JPDA), and awarded 90% of revenues from existing projects in that area to East Timor and 10% to Australia.^[31] The first significant new development in the JPDA since Timorese independence is the largest petroleum resource in the Timor Sea, the Greater Sunrise gas field. Its exploitation was the subject of separate agreements in 2003 and 2005. Only 20% of the field lies within the JPDA and the rest in waters not subject to the treaty (though claimed by both countries). The initial, temporary agreement gave 82% of revenues to Australia and only 18% to East Timor.^{[32][dead link]}

The government of East Timor has sought to negotiate a definite boundary with Australia at the halfway line between the countries, in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The government of Australia preferred to establish the boundary at the end of the wide Australian continental shelf, as agreed with Indonesia in 1972 and 1991. Normally a dispute such as this would be referred to the International Court of Justice or the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea for an impartial decision,^[33] but the Australian government had withdrawn itself from these international jurisdictions (solely on matters relating to maritime boundaries) shortly before Timorese independence.^[34][35] Nevertheless, under public and diplomatic pressure, the Australian government offered instead a last-minute concession on Greater Sunrise gas field royalties alone.^[36] On July 7, 2005, an agreement was signed under which both countries would set aside the dispute over the maritime boundary, and East Timor would receive 50% of the revenues (estimated at A$26 billion or about US$20 billion over the lifetime of the project)^[37] from the Greater Sunrise development. Other developments within waters claimed by East Timor but outside the JPDA (Laminaria-Corallina and Buffalo) continue to be exploited unilaterally by Australia, however.^[38]

Subdistricts suffering from hunger in November 2007

In 2007, a bad harvest led to deaths in several parts of Timor-Leste. In November 2007, eleven subdistricts still needed food supplied by international aid.^[39]

East Timor also has a large and potentially lucrative coffee industry, which sells organic coffee to numerous Fair Trade retailers and on the open market.^{[citation needed]}

Currently three foreign banks have a branch in Dili: Australia's ANZ, Portugal's Banco Nacional Ultramarino, and Indonesia's Bank Mandiri.

There are no patent laws in East Timor.^[40]

Demographics[link]

A Timorese in traditional dress

The population of East Timor is about one million. It has grown considerably recently, because of a high birth rate and because of the return of refugees.^{[citation needed]} The population is especially concentrated in the area around Dili.

The Timorese are called Maubere collectively by some of their political organizations, an originally derogatory name turned into a name of pride by Fretilin. They consist of a number of distinct ethnic groups, most of whom are of mixed Malayo-Polynesian and Melanesian/Papuan descent. The largest Malayo-Polynesian ethnic groups are the Tetum^[41] (or Tetun) (100,000), primarily in the north coast and around Dili; the Mambae (80,000), in the central mountains; the Tukudede (63,170), in the area around Maubara and Liquiçá; the Galoli (50,000), between the tribes of Mambae and Makasae; the Kemak (50,000) in north-central Timor island; and the Baikeno (20,000), in the area around Pante Macassar. The main tribes of predominantly Papuan origin include the Bunak (50,000), in the central interior of Timor island; the Fataluku (30,000), at the eastern tip of the island near Lospalos; and the Makasae, toward the eastern end of the island. In addition, like other former Portuguese colonies where interracial marriage was common, there is a smaller population of people of mixed Timorese and Portuguese origin, known in Portuguese as mestiços. The East Timorese mestiço best-known internationally is José Ramos-Horta, the spokesman for the resistance movement in exile, and now President of East Timor. Mário Viegas Carrascalão, Indonesia's appointed governor between 1987 and 1992, is also a mestiço. East Timor also has a small Chinese minority, most of whom are Hakka. Most left after the Indonesian invasion, with most moving to Australia although many Sino-Timorese have returned, including Pedro Lay, the Minister for Infrastructure.

Religion[link]

Balide church, Dili

Upon independence, East Timor became one of only two predominantly Roman Catholic countries in Asia (along with the Philippines), although nearby parts of Indonesia also have Catholic majorities, including West Timor and Flores. The population predominantly identifies as Roman Catholic (97%), though local animist traditions have a persistent and strong influence on the culture. The number of churches has grown from 100 in 1974 to over 800 in 1994. ^[42] Religious minorities include Muslims (1%) (including former Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri) and Protestants (1%) (including Taur Matan Ruak, Commander of the Falintil-FDTL). Smaller Hindu (0.5%), Buddhist (0.1%) and traditional animist minorities make up the remainder.^[43][44][45] Church membership grew considerably under Indonesian rule, as Indonesia's state ideology Pancasila does not recognize traditional beliefs and requires all citizens to believe in God. Although the struggle was not about religion, as a deep-rooted local institution the Church not only symbolized East Timor's distinction from predominantly Muslim Indonesia, but also played a significant role in the resistance movement, as personified by Bishop Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo, the 1996 Nobel Peace Prize laureate.^[46] The constitution acknowledges the Church's role among the East Timorese people and stipulates a secular state that guarantees freedom of religion to everyone.

Languages[link]

Biggest language groups in sucos of East Timor.

East Timor's two official languages are Portuguese and Tetum, which belongs to the Austronesian family of languages spoken throughout Southeast Asia.^[47] The predominant form of Tetum, known as Tetun-Dili, grew out of the dialect favored by the colonizers at Dili and, thus, has considerable Portuguese influence. Other dialects of Tetum are also widely used in the country, including Tetun-Terik which is spoken along the southwestern coast. Indonesian and English are defined as working languages under the Constitution in the Final and Transitional Provisions, without setting a final date. Another 15 indigenous languages are spoken: Bekais, Bunak, Dawan, Fataluku, Galoli, Habun, Idalaka, Kawaimina, Kemak, Lovaia, Makalero, Makasai, Mambai, Tokodede, and Wetarese.

Under Indonesian rule, the use of Portuguese was banned, but it was used by the clandestine resistance, especially in communicating with the outside world.^{[citation needed]} The language, along with Tetum, gained importance as a symbol of resistance and freedom. It was adopted as one of the two official languages for this reason and as a link to nations in other parts of the world. It is now being taught and promoted widely with the help of Brazil, Portugal, and the Latin Union.

According to East Timor's 2010 census, along with other local languages, Tetum is the most common means of communication between ordinary Timorese: Almost 90% of Timorese use Tetum in their daily life, while Indonesian is still widely used in the media and school from high school to university by an estimated 35%. It is estimated that English is understood by 31.4% of the population. 23.5% speak, read and write Portuguese, which is a very impressive number compared with less than 5% in the 2006 UN Development Report.^[48][49] A large proportion of words in Tetum are derived from Portuguese, and it also shares many Malay-derived words with Indonesian. Many Indonesian words are still in common use in Tetum and other Timorese languages, particularly numbers.

East Timor is a member of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP), also known as the Lusophone Commonwealth, and a member of the Latin Union. It is the only independent state in Asia with Portuguese as an official language, although it is also one of the official languages of China's Special Administrative Region of Macau.

Education[link]

About half the adult population are illiterate.^[50] Illiteracy is higher among women.^[51] Illiteracy was at 90% at the end of Portuguese rule.^{[citation needed]} In 2006, 10%–30% of primary-school age children did not attend school.^[51]

The country has the National University of East Timor. Indonesian plays a considerable role in education.^{[citation needed]} Since the departure of the Portuguese, schools have increased from 50 to more than 800. There are also four colleges.^[42]

Health[link]

Life expectancy at birth was at 60.7 in 2007.^[50] The fertility rate is at six births per woman.^[50] Healthy life expectancy at birth was at 55 years in 2007.^[50] Government expenditure on health was at US$150 (PPP) per person in 2006.^[50] Many people in East Timor lack safe drinking water.^[51]

There were two hospitals and 14 village healthcare facilities in 1974. By 1994 there were 11 hospitals and 330 healthcare centres.^[42]

In June 2011, the United Nations Population Fund released a report on The State of the World's Midwifery. It contained new data on the midwifery workforce and policies relating to newborn and maternal mortality for 58 countries. The 2010 maternal mortality rate per 100,000 births for Timor-Leste is 370. This is compared with 928.6 in 2008 and 1016.3 in 1990. The under 5 mortality rate, per 1,000 births is 60 and the neonatal mortality as a percentage of under 5's mortality is 48. The aim of this report is to highlight ways in which the Millennium Development Goals can be achieved, particularly Goal 4 (reduce child mortality) and Goal 5 (improve maternal health). In Timor-Leste the number of midwives per 1,000 live births is 8 and 1 in 44 shows us the lifetime risk of death for pregnant women.^[52]

Culture[link]

The culture of East Timor reflects numerous influences, including Portuguese, Roman Catholic, and Malaysia, on the indigenous Austronesian and Melanesian cultures of Timor. Legend has it that a giant crocodile was transformed into the island of Timor, or Crocodile Island, as it is often called. East Timorese culture is heavily influenced by Austronesian legends, although the Catholic influence is also strong. There is a strong tradition of poetry. Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão, for example, is a distinguished poet. As for architecture, some Portuguese-style buildings can be found, along with the traditional totem houses of the eastern region. These are known as uma lulik (sacred houses) in Tetum, and lee teinu (houses with legs) in Fataluku. Craftsmanship is also widespread, as is the weaving of traditional scarves or tais.

Sports[link]

East Timor has joined many international sport associations, including the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The IOC board has granted full recognition to the East Timorese Olympic Committee (COTL). The IOC had allowed a mainly symbolic four-member team to take part in the 2000 Sydney Games under the Olympic flag as "Independent Olympic Athletes." The Federação de Timor-Leste de Atletismo has joined the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF). The Federação de Badminton de Timor-Leste joined the International Badminton Federation (IBF) in April 2003. The East Timor Cycling Federation has joined the Union Cycliste Internationale. The Confederação do Desporto de Timor Leste has joined the International Weightlifting Federation. East Timor is also a full member of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF). In September 2005, East Timor's national football team joined FIFA.

East Timor has taken part in several sporting events. Although the athletes came back with no medals, East Timorese athletes had the opportunity to compete with other Southeast Asian athletes in the 2003 Southeast Asian Games held in Vietnam in 2003. In the 2003 ASEAN Paralympics Games, also held in Vietnam, East Timor won a bronze medal. In the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, six athletes participated in three sports: athletics, weightlifting and boxing. East Timor won three medals in Arnis at the 2005 Southeast Asian Games. East Timor was also one of the competing nations in the first Lusophony Games, winning a bronze medal in the women's volleyball competition (finishing third out of three teams), despite the fact the team had lost all its three games. On October 30, 2008, East Timor earned their first international points in a FIFA match with a 2–2 draw against Cambodia.^[53]

Public holidays[link]

East Timor now has public holidays that commemorate historic events in the liberation struggle, as well as those associated with Catholicism and Islam. They are defined in Timor-Leste Law no. 10/2005PDF (16.7 KB).

In addition, the law defines "official commemorative dates" which are not considered holidays but could be subject to time off from work:

See also[link]

	Geography portal
	Asia portal
	Southeast Asia portal
	East Timor portal

Notes and references[link]

Notes

References

Bibliography[link]

External links[link]

Find more about East Timor on Wikipedia's sister projects:
	Definitions and translations from Wiktionary
	Images and media from Commons
	Learning resources from Wikiversity
	News stories from Wikinews
	Quotations from Wikiquote
	Source texts from Wikisource
	Textbooks from Wikibooks

Government

• Timor-Leste Official government site
• Chief of State and Cabinet Members

General information

• Timor-Leste entry at The World Factbook
• East Timor from UCB Libraries GovPubs
• Timor-Leste at the Open Directory Project
• Wikimedia Atlas of East Timor
• East Timor travel guide from Wikitravel
• Key Development Forecasts for Timor-Leste from International Futures

Wikibooks Cookbook has a recipe/module on East Timor

v t e  East Timor topics Politics Constitution · President · Prime Minister · Parliament · Elections · Political parties · Military · Coat of arms · Human rights · Foreign relations · Law · Law enforcement · Foreign aid · United Nations mission History Timeline · Pre-colonial Timor · Portuguese colonisation · Japanese invasion · Indonesian invasion · Indonesian occupation · Dili massacre · 1999 referendum · 1999 crisis · Peacekeeping efforts · Transition to independence · Tribunals · 2006 crisis · 2008 crisis Geography Timor · Protected areas · Tatamailau · Islands · Rivers · Wildlife · Districts · Subdistricts · Sucos · Towns Economy Centavo · Pataca · Escudo · Communications · Transport · Airports Society Culture · Demographics · Languages · Music · Literature · Sports · Notable people · Religion · Flag · Anthem Outline · Index · Portal

Administrative divisions v t e Districts of East Timor Aileu Ainaro Baucau Bobonaro Cova Lima Dili Ermera Lautém Liquiçá Manatuto Manufahi Oecusse Viqueque v t e District capitals of East Timor Aileu Ainaro Baucau Dili Gleno Liquiçá Lospalos Maliana Manatuto Pante Macassar Same Suai Viqueque v t e Subdistricts of East Timor Aileu Laulara Lequidoe Remexio Ainaro Hatudo Hatu Builico Maubisse Baguia Baucau Laga Quelicai Vemasse Venilale Atabae Balibó Bobonaro Cailaco Lolotoi Maliana Fatululique Fatumean Fuorém Mape-Zumulai Maucatar Suai Tilomar Atauro Cristo Rei Dom Aleixo Metinaro Nain Feto Vera Cruz Atsabe Ermera Hatólia Letefuó Railaco Iliomar Lautém Lospalos Luro Tutuala Bazartete Liquiçá Maubara Barique-Natarbora Laclo Laclubar Laleia Manatuto Soibada Alas Fatuberliu Same Turiscai Nitibe Oesilo Pante Macassar Passabe Lacluta Ossu Uatolari Uato Carabau Viqueque v t e Sucos of East Timor Aisirimou • Bandudatu • Fahiria • Fatubosa • Hoholau • Lahae • Lausi • Liurai • Malere • Saboria • Seloi Kraik • Fatisi • Kotolau • Madabeno • Talitu • Tohumeta • Acubilitoho • Bereleu • Betulau • Fahisoi • Fautrilau • Manukasa • Namleso • Acumau • Fadabloko • Fahisoi • Faturasa • Hautuho • Liurai • Maumeta • Tulatakeu • Ainaro • Cassa • Manutassi • Mau-Nunu • Mau-Ulo • Soro • Suro-Craic • Mulo • Mauchiga • Nunu Mogue • Beikala • Leolima • Aituto • Edi • Fatubessi • Horiauic • Liurai • Manelobas • Manetu • Maubisse • Maulau • Afaloicai • Alaua-Craik • Alaua-Leten • Defa-Uassi • Hae-Coni • Larisula • Lavateri • Osso-Huna • Samalari • Uacala • Bahú • Bucoli • Buibau • Buruma • Caibada Uaimua • Samalari • Seiçal • Tirilolo • Triloka • Gariuai • Uailili • Atelari • Libagua • Nunira • Saelari • Sagadate • Samalari • Soba • Tequinaumata • Abafala • Abo • Afaçá • Baguia • Bualale • Guruça • Lacoliu • Laisorulai de baixo • Laisorulai de cima • Lelalai • Letemumo • Macalaco • Maluro • Namanei • Uaitame • Caicua • Loilubo • Ossoala • Ostico • Uaigae • Uatu-Lari • Vemasse • Bado-Ho’o • Bahamori • Fatulia • Uailaha • Uai-Oli • Uatu-Haco • Uma-Anaico • Uma Analu • Aidabaleten • Atabai • Rairobo • Hataz • Balibo Kota • Batugade • Cová • Leohitu • Leolima • Sanirin • Ai-Assa • Atu Aben • Bobonaro • Carabau • Colimau • Cota Bo’ot • Ilatalaun • Leber • Lour • Lourba • Maliubu • Malilait • Molop • Oe-Leu • Sibuni • Soi Leco • Tapo • Tebabui • Atudara • Daudo • Goulolo • Guenolai • Manapa • Miligo • Purogoa • Raiheu • Deudet • Gildapil • Guda • Lebos • Lontas • Lupai • Opa • Holsa • Lahomea • Odamau • Rai Fun • Ritabou • Saburai • Tapo Memo • Fatululik • Taroman • Beluluik Leten • Fatumean • Nanu • Dato Rua • Dato Tolu • Fohoren • Lactos • Beco II • Fatuleto • Lepo • Lour • Mape • Raimera • Ucecai • Zulo • Belecasac • Holpilat • Matai • Ogues • Beco I • Debus • Labarat • Kamenasa • Suai • Foholulik • Lalawa • Maudemu • Beloi • Biqueli • Macadade • Maquili • Vila • Akadiru-Hun • Balibar • Becora • Bemori • Hera • Kamea • Kulu Hun • Bairo Pite • Colmera • Comoro • Fatuhada • Kampung Alor • Motael • Vila Verde • Sabuli • Duyung • Bairo Central • Bairo dos Grilhos • Bairo Formosa • Bidau Lecidere • Bidau Santana • Meti Aut • Caicoli • Dare • Lahane Ocidental • Lahane Oriental • Mascarinhas • Santa Cruz • Atara • Baboe Kraik • Baboe Leten • Batu Manu • Laklo • Lasaun • Laubonu • Leimea Leten • Malabe • Obulo • Paramin • Tiarlelo • Estado • Humboe • Lauala • Liguimea • Mertutu • Poetete • Ponilala • Raimerhei • Riheu • Talimoro • Ailelo • Asulau/Sare • Fatubalu • Fatubessi • Hatulia • Kailete Leotela • Leimea Kraik • Leimea Sarinbala • Lisabat • Manusea • Mauabu • Samara • Uruhau • Dukurai • Eraulo • Goulolo • Hatugau • Katrai Kraik • Katrai Leten • Lauana • Letefoho • Fatuquero • Lihu • Matata • Oeleso • Railaco Kraik • Railako Leten • Samaleten • Taraso • Tokoluli • Iliomar I • Iliomar II • Ailebere • Fuat • Cainliu • Tirilolo • Baduro • Com • Daudere • Eukisi • Ililai • Maina I • Maina II • Pairara • Parlamento • Serelau • Bauro • Cacaven • Fuiloro • Home • Leuro • Loré I • Loré II • Muapitine • Raça • Souro • Afabubu • Baricafa • Cotamuto • Lakawa • Luro • Wairoke • Mehara • Tutuala • Fahilebo • Fatumasi • Lauhata • Leorema • Maumeta • Metagou • Motaulun • Tibar • Ulmera • Asumano • Darulete • Dato • Hatukesi • Leotela • Loidahar • Lukulai • Guguleur • Guico • Lisadilia • Maubaralisa • Vatuboro • Vatuvou • Vaviquinia • Aubeon • Barique • Fatuwaqui • Manehat • Umaboku • Hohorai • Laku Mesak • Umakaduak • Umanaruk • Batara • Fatumakerek • Funar • Manelima • Orlalan • Sananain • Cairui • Hatularan • Lifau • Ailili • Aiteas • Cribas • Iliheu • Maabat • Sau • Fatumakerek • Leohat • Manlala • Maunfahe • Samoro • Aituha • Dotik • Malagidan • Taitudal • Uma Berloik • Bubususu • Fatukahi • Kaikasa • Klakuk • Talinehar • Babulu • Betano • Daisula • Gratu • Holarua • Letefoho • Rotutu • Tutuluro • Aitenua • Beremana • Fatukalo • Kaimauk • Foholau • Lesuata • Liurai • Manumera • Matorek • Mindelo • Orana • Banafi • Bebe Ufe • Lela Ufe • Suni Ufe • Usi Taco • Bobometo • Usitakeno • Usitasae • Bobocasae • Costa • Cunha • Lalisuk • Lifau • Naimeco • Nipane • Taiboco • Abani • Malelat • Ahic • Dilor • Laline • Uma Tolu • Builale • Liaruca • Loi-Huno • Nahareca • Ossorua • Ossu de Cima • Uabubo • Uaguia • Uaibobo • Bahalarauain • Bibileo • Caraubalu • Fatu Dere • Luca • Maluru • Uaimori • Uma Qui’ic • Uma Uain Craic • Uma Uain Leten • Afaloicai • Bahatata • Irabin de baixo • Irabin de cima • Loi - Ulu • Uani Uma • Afaloicai • Babulo • Macadique • Matohoi • Uaitame • Vessoru

Geographic international v t e Countries and dependencies of Asia Sovereign states Afghanistan Armenia Azerbaijan Bahrain Bangladesh Bhutan Brunei Burma (Myanmar) Cambodia China Cyprus Egypt Georgia India Indonesia Iran Iraq Israel Japan Jordan Kazakhstan North Korea South Korea Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Laos Lebanon Malaysia Maldives Mongolia Nepal Oman Pakistan Philippines Qatar Russia Saudi Arabia Singapore Sri Lanka Syria Tajikistan Thailand East Timor (Timor-Leste) Turkey Turkmenistan United Arab Emirates Uzbekistan Vietnam Yemen States with limited recognition Abkhazia Nagorno-Karabakh Northern Cyprus Palestine South Ossetia Taiwan Dependencies and Special Administrative Regions Australia Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands China Hong Kong Macau United Kingdom Akrotiri and Dhekelia British Indian Ocean Territory v t e Countries and territories of Oceania Sovereign states Australia Chile Easter Island Juan Fernández Islands East Timor (Timor-Leste) Fiji Indonesia Kiribati Marshall Islands Federated States of Micronesia Japan Bonin Islands Nauru New Zealand Cook Islands Niue Palau Papua New Guinea Samoa Solomon Islands Tonga Tuvalu United States Hawaii Palmyra Atoll Vanuatu Dependencies and other territories Australia Ashmore and Cartier Islands Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Coral Sea Islands Territory Norfolk Island France Clipperton Island French Polynesia New Caledonia Wallis and Futuna New Zealand Cook Islands Niue Tokelau United Kingdom Pitcairn Islands United States American Samoa Baker Island Guam Howland Island Jarvis Island Johnston Atoll Kingman Reef Midway Atoll Northern Mariana Islands Wake Island v t e Countries and other territories in Southeast Asia Sovereign states Brunei Burma Cambodia East Timor Indonesia Laos Malaysia Philippines Singapore Thailand Vietnam Dependent territories Christmas Island, Australia Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Australia Subdivisions Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India Hainan, China Paracel Islands, China Pratas Islands, Taiwan Spratly Islands (Taiping Island, Taiwan)) v t e Countries of the Malay Archipelago Brunei · East Timor · Indonesia · Malaysia · Philippines · Singapore · Papua New Guinea

International membership v t e Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Members Australia Cook Islands Fiji (suspended, May 2009) Kiribati Marshall Islands Micronesia Nauru New Zealand Niue Palau Papua New Guinea Samoa Solomon Islands Tonga Tuvalu Vanuatu Associate members French Polynesia New Caledonia Observers Commonwealth of Nations East Timor Tokelau United Nations Wallis and Futuna Guam American Samoa Northern Mariana Islands Asian Development Bank WCPFC Dialogue partners Canada China European Union France India Indonesia Italy Japan South Korea Malaysia Philippines Thailand United Kingdom United States v t e Association of Southeast Asian Nations Governance Charter Free trade area Customs union Member states Brunei Burma (Myanmar) Cambodia Indonesia Laos Malaysia Philippines Singapore Thailand Vietnam Enlargement Papua New Guinea East Timor Bangladesh Summits/Forums ASEAN Summits ASEAN +3 AMU ASEAN Regional Forum ASEM East Asia Summit CEPEA CMI Related articles Anthem Common Time Date of Establishment Emblem Flag Hymn Organizations SEA Games Secretariat Treaty of Amity and Cooperation v t e East Asia Summit (EAS) First Second Third Fourth Fifth Sixth      Australia  Brunei  Burma  China  Cambodia  India  Indonesia  Japan  Laos  Malaysia  New Zealand  Philippines  Russia  Singapore  South Korea  Thailand  Vietnam  United States v t e Members and observers of the Non-Aligned Movement Members Afghanistan Algeria Angola Antigua and Barbuda Bahamas Bahrain Barbados Belarus Belize Benin Bhutan Bolivia Botswana Brunei Burkina Faso Burma Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Cape Verde Central African Republic Chad Chile Colombia Comoros Congo Côte d'Ivoire Cuba Democratic Republic of the Congo Djibouti Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Ethiopia Gabon Gambia Ghana Grenada Guatemala Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Honduras India Iran Jamaica Jordan Kenya Kuwait Laos Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Mauritania Mauritius Mongolia Morocco Mozambique Namibia Nepal Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Oman Pakistan Panama Papua New Guinea Peru Philippines Qatar Rwanda St. Lucia St. Vincent and the Grenadines São Tomé and Príncipe Saudi Arabia Senegal Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Somalia South Africa Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Swaziland Syria Tanzania Thailand East Timor Togo Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkmenistan Uganda United Arab Emirates Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela Vietnam Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe Observers Countries Antigua and Barbuda Armenia Azerbaijan Bosnia-Herzegovina Brazil China Costa Rica Croatia Cyprus Dominica El Salvador Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan Mexico Montenegro Russia Serbia Ukraine Uruguay Organizations African Union Arab League United Nations v t e World Trade Organization System Accession and membership Appellate Body Dispute Settlement Body International Trade Centre Chronology of key events Issues Criticism Doha Development Round Singapore issues Quota Elimination Peace Clause Agreements General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade Agriculture Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures Technical Barriers to Trade Trade Related Investment Measures Trade in Services Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights Government Procurement Information Technology Marrakech Agreement Doha Declaration Ministerial Conferences 1st (1996) 2nd (1998) 3rd (1999) 4th (2001) 5th (2003) 6th (2005) 7th (2009) 8th (2011) People Pascal Lamy (Director-General) Supachai Panitchpakdi (Former Director-General) Deputy Directors-General: Alejandro Jara Valentine Rugwabiza Harsha Singh Rufus Yerxa Members Albania Algeria Angola Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Australia Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belize Benin Bolivia Botswana Brazil Brunei Burkina Faso Burma Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cape Verde Central African Republic Chad Chile China Colombia Democratic Republic of the Congo Republic of the Congo Costa Rica Côte d'Ivoire Croatia Cuba Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt El Salvador European Union¹ Fiji Gabon The Gambia Georgia Ghana Grenada Guatemala Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Haiti Honduras Hong Kong² Iceland India Indonesia Israel Jamaica Japan Jordan Kenya South Korea Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Lesotho Liechtenstein Macau² Macedonia Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Mauritania Mauritius Mexico Moldova Mongolia Morocco Mozambique Namibia Nepal New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Norway Oman Pakistan Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Qatar Russia Rwanda St. Kitts and Nevis St. Lucia St. Vincent and the Grenadines Saudi Arabia Senegal Sierra Leone Singapore Solomon Islands South Africa Sri Lanka Suriname Swaziland Switzerland Taiwan³ Tanzania Thailand Togo Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United States Uruguay Venezuela Vietnam Zambia Zimbabwe 1. All twenty-seven member states of the European Union are also members of the WTO in their own right: Austria Belgium Bulgaria Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Estonia Finland France Germany Greece Hungary Ireland Italy Latvia Lithuania Luxembourg Malta Netherlands Poland Portugal Romania Slovakia Slovenia Spain Sweden United Kingdom 2. Special administrative region of the People's Republic of China, participate as "Hong Kong, China" and "Macao China". 3. Officially the Republic of China, participate as "Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu"