You never know what you are going to find around a corner in this rugged island country, as we recently rediscovered. This year, Timor-Leste will celebrate its tenth birthday and hold presidential and parliamentary elections. If the political and security situation remains stable, the transition to the next government is smooth, and space for a democratic opposition remains open, then the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste, including the UN police contingents, and the Australia/New Zealand-led International Stabilization Force will depart by the end of the year.
Braving rainy season landslides and wash-outs that make even more perilous than usual the hazardous roads that thread through the mountains and hug the narrow coast, U.S. Mission Dili members have criss-crossed the country... more »
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