Portugal, as Nações Unidas e a autodeterminação de Timor-Leste, 1974-1982

Timor was considered by the United Nations in 1960 as a non-self-governing territory. Until 1974, the UN collected information on Timor, without excessive concerns with the territory because of the absence of war. Only after mid-1975, the organization was involved in attempts to mediate between Timorese organizations, Portugal and Indonesia, in a context of degradation of the situation on the territory. Timor-Leste became a problem entrusted to the international community after the Portuguese complaint to the Security Council against the Indonesian invasion. However, between 1976 and 1982, there was a progressive erosion of support for Timorese self-determination. This article discusses how the issue of Timor-Leste has exposed the limits of the UN’s conflict resolution mechanisms, in view of the international context and the interests of its member states. This article is part of the special theme section on The Self-Determination of East Timor, guest-edited by Rui Graça Feijó.