Thousands of people in East Timor have taken part in celebrations to mark the first anniversary of the decision to vote for independence from Indonesian rule. As midnight passed, there were cheers and singing at a meeting of the main pro-Independence groups in the capital, Dili. Commemoration ceremonies were held to honour the hundreds of people who died when pro-Indonesian militias went on the rampage at the time of the referendum.
However, the territory is still suffering violent incursions by militias based in neighbouring West Timor. The head of the United Nation's Transitional Administration, Sergio Vieira De Mello, said that he would be raising the matter with the Indonesian authorities this week.
