E. Timor marks independence day

E. Timor marks independence day

EAST TIMOR: With East Timor due to become the world's newest
nation in six months, hundreds of people rallied on Wednesday to
mark the territory's first declaration of independence 26 years
ago.

Waving East Timorese flags, about 500 people listened to
speeches by leading politicians before raising their fists to
salute East Timor's largest political party, Fretilin.

The anniversary marks the day Fretilin leaders declared East
Timor independent -- Nov. 28, 1975 -- following the withdrawal of
Portuguese colonizers. However, independence was to be short-
lived.

Indonesia ruled East Timor until its people voted
overwhelmingly for freedom in a UN-sponsored referendum in August
1999. --AP