While Indonesia faced internal political, economic and secessionism turbulent in 1998 Asian Financial Crisis, East Timorese grabbed the timing and attained independence under UN's mediation.

1998年正值东亚金融危机高峰，东帝汶趁著印尼内部政经动荡、各省分离运动甚嚣尘上之际，在联合国调停下举行公投，并迈向独立。