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The first day of independence for East Timor

The people of East Timor have been enjoying their first day of independence.

Mark Bowling reports from the capital, Dili, the event has brought together East Timor's common people and world leaders.

Today President Xanana Gusmao swore in his first cabinet in front of hundreds of Timorese holding small national flags and foreign dignatories who have pledged to support the new Republic of East Timor. The cabinet took the oath on an open air stage in front of the future government office. The swearing in came in after United Nations Secretary General, Kofi Annan handed power to East Timor's leadership in front of tens of thousands of delighted Timorese soon after midnight. Since then crowds of revellers have staged their own independence parties saying that the festivities could go on for days. Mark Bowling, Dili.

20/05/2002 22:30:44 | ABC Radio Australia News

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