Gusmao and Ramos Horta meet Colin Powell

(17 May 2001)
1. Doors open, (from left) 'Xanana' Gusmao, US Secretary of State Colin Powell and Jose Ramos Horta walk in, shake hands for the cameras then walk back out, doors close.
STORYLINE:
Two East Timorese political leaders, Jose Ramos Horta and Xanana Gusmao, on Wednesday met with U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell and asked for U.S. support once the territory achieves statehood.
According to the US state department, they specifically asked for assistance in developing East Timor's economy and legal system.
Powell promised to help in every way possible as the process moves forward.
The United Nations has governed East Timor since the people of the territory chose independence from their Indonesian rulers in a 1999 referendum.
The popular vote for freedom angered pro-Indonesian militias in the territory who did as much damage to the new nation as they could; a killing, looting and burning spree that lasted until an international peacekeeping force restored order.
East Timor will remain under the administration of the world body until elections for an 88-member constituent assembly in August.
The assembly is expected to become East Timor's first elected parliament when independence is formalized next year.
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