May 17, 2012
DILI (AFP) - Ten years after winning formal independence following a
brutal occupation by Indonesia, East Timor is struggling to escape
extreme poverty, corruption and an over-reliance on energy revenues.
As
the half-island nation of 1.1 million prepares to celebrate Sunday's
anniversary, the dusty, potholed streets of its capital Dili are being
spruced up to welcome VIP guests including Indonesian President Susilo
Bambang Yudhoyono, Australia's governor-general and Portugal's
president.
This is a crucial year for the
country also known as Timor-Leste. It will choose a new prime minister
and government in general elections on July 7, then at year's end will
bid goodbye to UN forces stationed since 1999.
This
Saturday, a day before the 10-year anniversary, it also inaugurates a
new man in the largely ceremonial post of president with Nobel-laureate
Jose Ramos-Horta handing power to his newly elected successor, Taur
Matan Ruak.
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