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The United Nations took over the territory's
administration in October 1999, and the U.N. Transitional Authority in East
Timor (UNTAET) issued two stamps April 29, 2000, for use in East Timor (350-51).
World pressure on Indonesia in 1999 led to an announcement of free elections.
On Sept. 7, 2001, the first democratic East Timor elections installed Gusmao's
Fretelin party as the new government. In April 2002, elections were held
to vote for president. Gusmao won in a violence-free landslide vote.
An Australian-led peacekeeping force arrived in September 1999 in East Timor
to halt the rampage by pro-Jakarta militiamen following the territory's vote for independence from Indonesia. Australia's lead role in the U.N. peacekeeping force and the large financial contribution it has made in this area have formed close ties between the two countries, hence Australia Post's
involvement with this debut stamp issue.
One of the most important symbolic acts of a new nation is the issue of its first postage stamps. For most new nations, this is a relatively straightforward matter, and they often follow the practices and policies of previous administrations.
However, in the case of East Timor, stamps were just one of many practical problems faced by the emerging nation as it sought to deal with the almost total lack of infrastructure resulting from the physical destruction experienced during the struggle for independence. In June 2001, UNTAET approached Australia Post for advice on how to approach the matter of stamp-issue policies and stamp production.
Australia Post was aware of the immense difficulties being faced by the East
Timorese and not only responded with advice but also offered to design, produce
and market the first East Timor stamp issue. David Maiden, the manager of
Australia Post philatelic division told me: "We are producing and marketing East Timor's
first stamps as a gesture of friendship and goodwill to the East Timorese
people. All proceeds from these sales will go to the East Timor government."
Maiden continued: "The direct Australia Post involvement in the design,
printing and marketing of the stamps applies only to the first issue, but
this will clearly save the East Timor government a very substantial sum.
The East
Timorese government will make its own arrangements for subsequent stamp issues,
but Australia Post will continue to provide advice and assistance."
Australia Post appointed the international stamp agent Georg Roll of Germany to handle international sales and distribution. Australia Post told me that its United States agent, Unicover of Cheyenne, Wyo., will not be handling the East Timor issue.
Glen Stephens is a philatelic journalist & stamp
dealer based in Sydney, Australia.
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