The overwhelming vote for independence was a shock to Indonesia and heightened expectations in Aceh and Papua, where people were also demanding independence.

East Timor used to be Portuguese colony, but was granted independence in 1975.

Indonesia, which ruled the western half of the island, invaded the territory soon afterwards, annexing it and making it a province of Indonesia.

From the start there was rebellion against Indonesian rule. The freedom movement, Fretilin, tied down large numbers of Indonesian troops, who responded in the brutal way they had used elsewhere to keep Indonesians in line.

Indonesia also exploited the new province's timber and coffee resources much to the annoyance of the Timorese people. Human rights organisations say as many as 200,000 of the inhabitants were killed during the 24 years of rebellion.