UPSC Prelims 2003 Q51: Current Affairs – International Conflicts & Security
Which one of the following statements is correct?
- (a) East Timor was a British colony for four centuries
- (b) The European colonial rulers handed over East Timor to Indonesia in 1975
- (c) The United Nations took over East Timor in 1999 to prepare it for independence
- (d) East Timor finally declared its independence in Dec. 2001
Answer: (c) The United Nations took over East Timor in 1999 to prepare it for independence
Explanation
East Timor
| Statement | Verdict |
|---|---|
| a. A British colony for four centuries | False: it was a Portuguese colony |
| b. Handed to Indonesia by European rulers in 1975 | False: Indonesia invaded and annexed it in 1975 |
| c. UN took over East Timor in 1999 to prepare it for independence | True — UNTAET, October 1999 |
| d. Declared independence in December 2001 | False: independence came on 20 May 2002 |
Only statement (c) is correct: the United Nations took over in 1999 and prepared East Timor for independence, which came in May 2002.
Answer: (c) The United Nations took over East Timor in 1999 to prepare it for independence.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. East Timor was Portuguese, not British.
- (b) Incorrect. Indonesia invaded and annexed it in 1975.
- (c) CORRECT. UNTAET governed it from 1999.
- (d) Incorrect. Independence was on 20 May 2002.
Key point
East Timor: Portuguese until 1975, Indonesia 1975-99, UN 1999-2002, independent 2002.
Remember
East Timor became independent on 20 May 2002 after UN administration.
Common mistakes
- Calling East Timor a British colony.
- Believing the colonial power handed it to Indonesia.
- Dating independence to December 2001.
Exam tip
East Timor is now Timor-Leste, the 191st UN member.
Sources
- United Nations — United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET): Background
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — East Timor