ABSTRACT
In 2002, the Timorese government and other state institutions assumed sovereignty and started to function in an atmosphere of jubilation, with smiling faces to be seen everywhere. As the Timorese leaders wished to emphasize, they had "restored" political independence on 20 May 2002, for FRETILIN had declared independence back on 28 November 1975 and named the country Republica Democratica de Timor Leste, with members of FRETILIN holding 55 of 88 seats in the National Parliament. This gave them dominant control over the government and the National Parliament, under the leadership of Mari Alkatiri as Prime Minister and Francisco "Lu-Olo" Guterres as the President of the National Assembly. In spite of growing signs of rivalry, President Gusmao and Prime Minister Alkatiri maintained a remarkable degree of congeniality and mutual accommodation. On 27 July, Alkatiri announced the new cabinet ministerial appointment as well as changes in his own responsibility.
