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Gusmao became leader of Falintil, the armed wing of Fretilin.
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The massacre of over 270 civilians, gathered at the funeral of a young man killed by Indonesian troops was witnessed by reporter Allan Nairn. Nairn was arrested, beaten and banned from the country.
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Indonesian troops under Lt. Gen’l. Sintong Panjaitan killed at least 50 demonstrators in Dili, East Timor.
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Gusmao is captured in a safehouse near Dili a major setback for the resistance to indonesian rule
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Gusmao is convicted of subversion and given a life sentence
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East Timorese people start to seek political asylsum in foreign embassies in Jakarta.
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Konis Santana took over leadership of the Fretilin Party after the jailing of Xanana Gusmao
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The Bishop of Dili, Carlos Belo, and resistance leader Jose Ramos Horta are both awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, for their efforts in raising international awareness on East Timors fight for independence
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East Timor rebel leader, Alex, died of gunshot wounds in Dili. Rebels claim that he not killed by the wound but died under interrogation
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After Suharto‘s departure, various independence movements gained momentum
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A young timorese boy who was gathering wood was shot dead by a soldier. Officers apologized and the soldier was charged.
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An agreement is made between Indonesia and the UN to allow human rights observers access to East Timor.
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Indonesia says it will consider independence for East Timor if people reject autonomy.
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Gusmao moved from Jakarta prison to house arrest. Because of increasing violence by anti-independence activists, Gusmao orders guerrillas to resume independence struggle
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Indonesia and Portugal sign agreement to allow East Timorese to vote on their future.
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It is estimated that 40 to 60 thousand people were driven from their homes in East Timor by 13 anti-independence militia groups.
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99% of 450,000-strong electorate votes in UN-organised referendum.
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Result of referendum shows 78% voters favoured independence.
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Gusmao released and the UN Transitional Administration in East Timor is established
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International donors at a Tokyo conference agree to provide US $520 million in aid to help rebuild East Timor.
