27 Aug 2009

10th anniversary of referendum nears for East Timor

1:03 pm on 27 August 2009

In East Timor, people are preparing to celebrate the 10th anniversary on Sunday of a referendum in 1999 which paved the way for eventual independence three years later.

In the lead-up to Sunday's celebrations, many East Timorese are expressing frustration and regret that not more has changed in the nation's short life.

East Timor is one of the world's poorest nations. The ABC reports it is now much more stable, but unemployment is still high.

Many people are expressing frustration and regret that not more has changed in the short life of the nation.