I’d like to congratulate them on becoming a free and independent nation in … about 90 more minutes.
I hope good things happen for the people of this almost new born nation. And most importantly peace.
P.S. I like your flag.
Got a link for that flag, Osiris?
Oh and, yeah, congratulations. It’s long overdue.
Right on, man. That has been an epic struggle, and do they ever face future challenges. Also seems like a time when for once the UN did something right and positive for a change.
A victory of right versus might, and hpefully will be a guiding beacon for some others in their struggle.
Yes, congratulations to Australia’s newest neighbour.
East Timor’s flag. The green and white flag lower in the page is that of FALINTIL, the the liberation Army of East Timor. It served as a temporary device for East Timor.
You see? It’s a very directional flag. It takes you thata way —> Plus it looks like it hangs vertically very well.
It’s May 20th in Dili, and East Timor is free again! Congratulations, guys. You have a nice flag, and your name is fun to say! East Timor! East Timor!
Yep - it is good news - and was not exactly easily acquired. Independence, I mean, not the news. All good wishes to East Timor.
Yup. Well done neighbours. You blokes have struggled long and hard, and deserve all our best wishes for the success of your newborn nation.
Oh, and I hope we Aussies weren’t outta line with that looking-in-the-other-direction-for-20-years gag. At least Prime Minister Howard did something after years of Australian Prime Ministers from both political sides who were too scared to say “Boo” to Indonesia.
[sub]Yup, the same Aussie politicians from all parties who are suddenly “too busy” to meet the Dalai Lama on his Australian tour, and of course it has nothing to do with the multi-billion dollar gas construction deal we’re currently negotiating with Beijing.[/sub]
Congratulations little one. You will go far.
I just hope that our Aussie politicians don’t think the hard yards are over. There’s a whole infrastructure which needs to be built in East Timor over the coming years if this tiny, dirt poor nation is to realise the dreams and aspirations for which they fought so fiercely - and at such great cost.
Did anyone else watch the media coverage of the moment of independence? It brought tears to my eyes.
Good onya East Timor; hope to be playing cricket against you guys soon. 
It’s an incredibly poor nation, so I just hope it doesn’t become the next the next Pattaya / Angeles City for drunken young backpackers.
reprise is correct in that we need to stay in this with the East Timorese for the long haul.
BTW, kudos too to Indonesia for sending six warships (without permission) into East Timor’s territorial waters on the eve of independance. :rolleyes: What fucking arrogance.
But they were only protecting Megawati Narrad…
And if you believe that, let me sell you some real estate.
I hear the Timor Gap is up for grabs!
: d&r :
Shameless bump because any nation which has fought this long and this hard for independence and has so many strikes against it deserves every single “happy birthday” we who take democracy for granted can wish it.
You go guys!!!
YAY ! Go East Timor. Hopefully we won’t let you down (well, our leaders, more specifically) in the future.
Happy Independence Day guys 
It’s great to hear some good news for a change.
Totally excellent. Xanana Gusmao rules.
I feel so damned ashamed - I should have googled their national anthem by now…
Anyone want to publish the lyrics and put together a .wav file - it’s not often we get to see the birth of a nation.
It’s been one hell of a road for them, and this has taken more years than it should have. Congratulations, East Timor!
I think this is East Timor’s national anthem here.
From
here :
*Eh! Foho Ramelau, Foho Ramelau!
Sá bé as liu ó tutun, Sá bé bein liu ó lolon eh!
Tan sá timur oan hakruuk bei-beik?
Tan sá timur oan atan bei-beik?
Tan sá timur ulun sudur uai-uain?
Tan sá timur oan atan uai-uain?
Hadér rai-hun mutin ona la!
Hadér loro foun sa’e ona la!
Loke matan loro foun too iha ó knuak
Loke matan loro foun iha ita rain
Hadér kaer rasik kuda talin eh!
Hadér ukun rasik ita rain eh! *
I’m still desperately searching for a wav file of the Independence Ceremony if anyone can find one overnight while I’m sleeping…