As East Timor's Independence day approaches, dignatories from 92 countries, including
US president Bill Clinton
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan
Indonesian President Sukarnoputri
Australian Prime Miniister John Howard
Portuguese President Gorge Sampaio
gather in Dili to witness the birth of the World's 192nd Nation.
At midnight on 19 May, Annan hands Government to president-elect Xanana Gusmao and declares East Timor independent. The UN flag is lowered and East Timor flag raised. About 1,00,000 East Timorese watch the ceremony.
