ABSTRACT
The death count of 39 police officers and civilians in April–May 2006 was small in number compared with incidents in Iraq and Afghanistan, but was nonetheless a devastating development for both Timor-Leste and the United Nations. The Timorese national leaders made conscientious efforts for political accommodation, if not for reconciliation. Their desire to contain their personal ill-feelings towards each was apparent after the change in the Prime Minister. The Timorese leaders found it difficult to adhere rigidly to the principle of rule of law when they were confronted by the Indonesian request for release of Martenus Bere. Contrary to a common understanding of the sequential transitions from peacekeeping to peace-and nation-building phases, a critical review of the path taken by the Timorese leadership and the people shows non-linear evolutionary changes. The outcome of the presidential and parliamentary elections indicated that democracy was gradually taking root in Timor-Leste.
