Timor-Leste’s independence on May 20, 2002, was arguably the result of the conjunction of unforeseen developments. After over two decades of conflict and internal strife under Indonesian rule, the country transitioned to become a sovereign administration in the liberated former 27th Province of Indonesia from 1999-2002.

More recently, in 2006 it’s likely that Australia saved the Fretilin Timorese government by sending troops to maintain law and order. At the time, Timor-Leste had still not yet fully rebuilt its police force and the Timorese Defence Force and both are likely still in shock from the 2006 crisis. Portugal, meanwhile, continues to play a post-colonial role. Portuguese is an official language and the main language for secondary and tertiary education. Currently it also appears that the mission of the United Nations Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) could be extended in 2010.

The European Commission’s High Representative and the donor countries saw their voices softened by the ‘last’ 2008 budget of some $800 million and a record anticipated budget of $1.3 billion for 2010. Still, the new country has to rely on Indonesian products, still the most affordable for the struggling Timor-Leste people. However, if Timor-Leste joins ASEAN, it could secure a stronger voice in deciding its economic future.

Roads, freshwater supply systems and basic sanitation, electrification of the country and support given to self-sufficient agriculture, are some of the priorities recently emphasized by the nation’s President and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ramos-Horta. However, Ramos-Horta is not able to independently promote his constructive ideas. The CNRT party of Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao (National Congress of Reconstruction), which leads the majority, controls most of the ministerial portfolios, the Petroleum Fund and Timor-Leste’s finances.

Globalization has a strong influence on Timor-Leste, where modernity is in fashion, and helps the people forget their dependence on others. After the legislative elections in 2012, CNRT, Fretilin, the opposition party, or the outsider Democrats (PD) may re-create a national unity government and positively re-orient Timor-Leste’s development policy. The 14 ethno-linguistic groups of this new democracy, which fought bravely for their independence, might merit such an auspicious outcome.

Dr Jean Berlie is an honorary research fellow at the Centre of Asian Studies at the University of Hong Kong.