The United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) which had effectively ‘ruled’ that territory for two-and-a-half years handed over the country’s administration to the government of the newly-independent Democratic Republic of East Timor on May 20, 2002. Praised as one of the most comprehensive and successful nation building operations of the United Nations, UNTAET had the challenging task of facilitating the creation of a new country from virtually non-existent institutional foundations, following a traumatic period of violence and civil war.

A group of eminent scholars and practitioners, many deeply and personally involved with UNTAET, came together in a closed-door gathering in Tokyo in September 2002, to review the achievements and shortcomings of UNTAET, and to understand the lessons of hope that it may carry for other nations emerging from war and destruction. The conference reflected on the intense debates held at the United Nations Security Council in New York and at key capitals around the world leading to the creation of UNTAET. It is also dealt with the manner in which the mission unfolded, operated, and the level of reconstruction achieved when East Timor was handed over to its people. This volume forms a lively and indispensable reading to experts or laypersons interested in current affairs in general and in post-war nation building in particular.

Azimi, Nassrine and Chang, Li Lin, ed. 2003. The United Nations Transitional Administration In East Timor (UNTAET): Debriefing and Lessons. London: Martinus Nijhoff for UNITAR.

(306 pages, ISBN 90-411-2069-6)