East Timor gained independence from Indonesia on Sunday May 19, 2002, and became the first new nation of the 21st century. Former guerrilla leader Xanana Gusmao was sworn into office after almost a quarter century of struggle. East Timor, one of the world’s poorest nations, now faces the task of rebuilding after the destruction carried out by Indonesian militias in 1999 and addressing problems such as high unemployment and illiteracy rates.
