Daily Quiz for October 12, 2008

East Timor. Indonesia invaded the former Portuguese colony of East Timor in late 1975, nine days after the Timorese political party Fretilin claimed independence. It was officially incorporated into the Republic of Indonesia as its 27th province in 1976 although the United Nations disputed this claim. With Indonesian president Suharto’s departure in May 1998, various independence movements gained momentum around Indonesia including East Timor. A U.N.-sponsored referendum was held on August 30, 1999–roughly 78% of the electorate voting to sever links to Indonesia and establish an independent state. The results of the referendum led to an explosion of violence, especially from pro-Indonesian militia. U.N. peacekeeping forces arrived in the following weeks. As of fall 2000, sporadic violence continues, but the U.N. transitional administration and peacekeeping forces remain and a local government has formed.