East Timor Becomes No. 191st UN Member State

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Saturday, September 28, 2002

East Timor Becomes No. 191st UN Member State

The Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, the first country to be born in the 21st century, won a seat at the United Nations on Friday, bringing to 191 the membership of the world organization.

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The Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, the first country to be born in the 21st century, wona seat at the United Nations on Friday, bringing to 191 the membership of the world organization.

At a flag-raising ceremony for Timor-Leste, held at the UN headquarters in New York Thursday morning, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said he looks forward to seeing Timor-Leste's active participation in the United Nations.

He said, "I am confident that the courage and determination of the people of Timor-Leste -- and their commitment to build their nation in a spirit of justice, reconciliation and democracy -- will be the strongest guarantee that what they have achieved todayis preserved for future generations."

The Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, or otherwise called East Timor, was approved as a new member state of the United Nations by the UN General Assembly by acclamation.

At the flag-raising ceremony, Xanana Gusmao, president of Timor-Leste, pledged that his government will strive for democracy, justice and social well-being for its people.

He also reaffirmed the country's commitment to strengthen peaceand cooperation and friendship among peoples and nations.

East Timor gained independence on May 20 after breaking away from Indonesia. The tiny Southeast Asian nation joined the United Nations less then three weeks after Switzerland, which was approved on Sept. 10.

More than 45 percent of East Timor's 850,000 people are desperately poor and more than 50 percent of the population was below 20 years, and in need of education and jobs.

The nation's winning independence capped nearly three years of UN administration, centuries of colonization by Portugal and 24 years of occupation by Indonesia.

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