A Study on the Direction and Challenges of East Timor as a New Sovereign State in the 21st Century

Abstract

East Timor is considered to be the world’s newest independent nation state after the formal declaration of independence of the nation in 20 May 2002 from Indonesia. Following nearly forty-five decades of Portuguese colonization and twenty-five years of Indonesia occupation, the nation is now confronted with the challenges and task to rebuild the nation from the ashes left by long years of foreign rule. The achievement of political independence is considered only as the first major step towards the achievement of complete independence. As a new independent nation state, it is expected that the country is confronted with the daunting challenge of building a nation that is viable in years to come. This massive task includes building a political, economic, and socio-cultural system that would sustain and maintain the growth and development of the country and its population. Furthermore, the country is bound to face issues and difficulties that are common to a state at the early stages of development. In the past few years, East Timor moving towards the achievement of independence, the nation was heavily dependent on the financial and technical assistance provided by the international community in order to provide for its population. With the achievement of independence, there is a decrease in the foreign assistance provided for the rebuild and rehabilitation of East Timor. This in effect affects future prospects and perspectives for the new nation that it pushes the country to take on full responsibility of taking over the affairs and matters concerning the administration and governing the territory. At the moment the country is described to be at the early stages of independence. The country is still in the transitional period wherein the nation is preparing for the complete transfer of sovereignty, administration and governance of the nation from foreign transitional authority to the local population of the country. The people of East Timor were still new to the concept of freedom and independence that the complete withdrawal of foreign aid and assistance would greatly affect the future of the country. Furthermore, the viability of the country is threatened by the different factors that are present in the highly complex and competitive world of the 21% century. As mentioned earlier, the country is now confronted with the massive task of nation building. It includes the establishment of strong, dynamic and stable political system and an independent and sturdy economic system that would sustain the country in the future once the United Nations and other foreign assistance provided was withdrawn. The country is presently confronted with numerous difficulties and challenges that threaten the viability of the nation in the future. In this regard, it is very important for East Timor to be able to identify and address these issues to ensure the viability of the country. The country at the moment is faced with various political and economic issues that range from providing an efficient and effective system of governance to providing the basic social services such as health and education to the people to improve their living conditions. The country has very limited resources not to mention poor and undeveloped national properties. The country also lacks skilled and educated work force necessary to improve the production and development capacity of the nation. Likewise, the country most especially the government lack resources needed in the delivery of basic social services and the implementation of programs and policies to improve the living conditions and situation in the country. At present, the government relies on the Trust Fund for East Timor and other financial assistance provided by foreign countries to finance its activities. Therefore, it is imperative for the government to find future prospects for the government that would generate revenues necessary to finance government expenditures. In political aspect, the country has little experience with regards to administration and governance. There are only few persons in East Timor who has leadership and bureaucratic capabilities that is necessary for the establishment of an efficient governmental system. Some of the skilled workers and professionals left the country after the nation was invaded by the Indonesians and more left after the Dili massacre in 1999. Furthermore, a great number of the local districts in the country still implement and practice the traditional organizational structure. The country adopted its first ever constitution in 2002. The country also was able to adopt a democratic republic with a parliamentary system of government that is patterned after Portugal, former colonizers of East Timor. With the eventual withdrawal of the United Nations, the newly established government faces the challenge of independently governing the territory. Massive tasks and expectations face the present administration. Most important among this task is meeting the demands of the people, being able to provide them with basic social services such as health and education. It is necessary that the government should be able to deliver these services as early as possible considering that the people of East Timor are still suffering the ill effects of conflict. Physical and other economic infrastructures like roads, ports, and bridges were destroyed by the Indonesian aggression of the territory. As a result, majority of the population is experiencing poverty because of unemployment and lack of income. East Timor is the poorest nation in the world. Its people is currently experiencing poverty which is the result of the damages of the Indonesian aggression. Economic and other physical infrastructures were destroyed leaving the people mostly miserable. More than half of the population is unemployed and impoverished. Furthermore, the country is surprisingly has diverse population. With more than 16 indigenous language and a highly difficult environment the population is limited to several income generating activities. However, there are different prospects for the future of East Timor. Most of which depends on the determination of its leaders and its people to succeed. In economic aspect, which is one of the most important, the potential for revenues coming from oil and natural gas resources, agriculture and coffee industry remains to be positive. These prospects are expected to sustain the economy of East Timor, providing revenue for the government, employment and livelihood for the population. It is important for the government to maximize the limited available resources of the country to its advantage. The foreign aid provided should be used efficiently and effectively in improving the status and condition of the population. Agriculture and the coffee industry should be given proper attention in order to develop these industries to its full potential. While revenues from Timor Gap oil and natural resources should be maximized and used to finance government expenditures. Clearly, the future of East Timor is not a smooth one. It is characterized by a great number of issues and difficulties that would determine the direction of the country. There are also several factors that would influence the future and direction of the country including external and internal factors. These should be resolved and addressed to be able to secure a bright and promising future for the country.