ASIA 7 DAYS

Topics of the Week:

May 27, Sun. 14:10 - 14:40 (UTC) etc.

East Timor: Slow Progress

Asia's youngest country is celebrating its 10th anniversary.

East Timor gained its formal independence on May 20th, 2002. It's people voted to end 24 years of rule by Indonesia in 1999, and a UN administration was in control during the transition period.

A ceremony marking the country's foundation was held in the capital, Dili. President Taur Matan Ruak, who was elected last month, said he will work to speed up the process of nation-building. He also promised friendly ties with Indonesia -- a sign he will pursue East Timor's goal of joining the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

A decade after independence, East Timor has yet to overcome many challenges. Poverty is widespread, education is substandard and medical services are inadequate. With oil virtually the only source of revenue, the island nation remains dependent on foreign aid. A fragile administrative system -- and a lack of an economic base -- make it difficult to tackle these problems.

With UN peacekeeping troops due to withdraw from the country by the end of this year, security could become yet another headache for the country's leaders.

This week's In Depth looks at the challenges facing East Timor and its future prospects.

In other news:
-NATO leaders discuss Afghanistan
-Iran's nuclear negotiations