E. Timor marks independence day

Thu, 29 Nov 2001 | Source: AP

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

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