The United Nations and East Timor: from self-determination to state-building

Abstract

Following an overview of the historical context, this essay analyses the four peace operations mandated by the Security Council in East Timor between 1999 and 2004, and the role of regional actors in these processes. The essay contends that the record of the overall performance of the UN is mixed, and discusses three lessons to be learned from the operations in East Timor: the planning capacities of the UN Secretariat should be strengthened; the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (UNDPKO) needs to develop its expertise in peacebuilding; and peacebuilding missions would benefit from greater involvement of regional experts.