Last modified: 2003-02-01 by antonio martins
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Following the (overwhelming) victory of
FRETILIN in the
parliamentary elections, the
constitutional assembly restored all the symbols from the
1975 independence, including the name,
the flag, the hymn, etc. The hymn is causing some uproar, and will
probably have its lyrics changed, but the version sang in the
independence ceremony was the 1975 one. In the ceremony, by the way,
what was declared was the «restoration of the independence of
the Democratic Republic of East Timor»...
Jorge Candeias, 20 May 2002
The East Timor national flag will be raised tomorrow (20 May 2002)
at the nation’s independence celebrations. (Darwin based manufactor
Ron Strachan who has had made and supplied the new flag for East
Timor, informed me earlier today that eyelets have been placed along
the top of the large 7,2 m × 3,6 m flag so that
it may be raised or displayed horizontally depending upon the
conditions on the day.
Ralph Bartlett, 19 May 2002
In Tetum language, the territory is called Timor Loro Sa’e, meaning
"Timor of the rising sun". This is the name adopted for the new state. In the
other two official languages of the country, portuguese and bahasa indonesian, it’s
spelled "Timor-Leste" and "Timor Timur" (both meaning "east-east"
because "Timor" is a portuguese (or local) corruption of "timur",
"east"), respectively.
Jorge Candeias, 29 Oct 1999
From the UN web page (http://www.un.org/News/):
27 September — The General Assembly will admit Timor-Leste, formerly East Timor, as the 191st Member State of the United Nations today.Interesting, isn’t it? It seems that Timor-Leste will be listed as UN member under its Portuguese, not English name («formerly»!!!), like Cote d’Ivoire and Myanmar.
In East Timor only the national flag of is prescribed
by the Constitution, while all
other national symbols must be described by special laws.
Jan Zrzavy, 17 May 2002
The Timorese Constitution already approved states:
1. The National Flag is rectangular and is formed by two isosceles triangles, the bases of which are overlapping. One triangle is black and its height is equal to one-third of the length overlapped to the yellow triangle, whose height is equal to half the length of the Flag. In the centre of the black triangle there is a white star of five ends, meaning the light that guides. The white star has one of its ends turned towards the upper right end of the flag. The remaining part of the flag is red.Manuel Gabino, 05 May 2002
The 1:2 ratio is not prescribed in the constitution,
only in the UNTAET specifications. (As also the
darker color shades.)
António Martins, 25 Sep 2002
I was in Timor Leste (East Timor, Timor Lorosae) in the end of June 2002;
the flags, made of cotton, are 1:2, maybe because they were produced in
Australia (I heard it here). Paper flags and flags on
T-Shirts are 2:3. They seem to be as official as the 1:2, because in Timorese
parliament, the representatives has paper flags on their table.
J. Patrick Fischer, 07 Aug 2002
Why did all or nearly all the East Timorese flags in
use all these years have been 2:3 or whereabouts?
Jorge Candeias, 26 May 2002
Though the ratio was not fixed in the 1975
constitution, 2:3 has been in consistent use ever since. I cant’
see any valid reason for the new 1:2 ratio — but apparently it is the
law. (I just hope it was not “imposed” by some kind of manufacturing
constraints made in Australia...)
António Martins, 22 May 2002
My point is that the recently re-approved
DRET constitution of
1975 should have caused the approval of the 2:3 ratio established
by tradition based upon that very document. Any contrary opinions
should prove either that there was no such tradition or that the
original constitution prescribed 1:2 after all.
António Martins, 10 Jun 2002
In 1978, Vexilologie 27 [vex]
has presented some details on the East Timorese national flag (i.e. that of
1975). As a source, FB XVI:4
[tfb] is mentioned. According to this
article, the 1975 flag is exaclty the same as the present day, including the
flag ratio 1:2. As an author of the flag is mentioned Natalino Leitão,
and description of the flag is reported as in Article No. 20 of the
(former) constitution.
Jan Zrzavy, 26 May 2002
The Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste has been admited in the UN. The flag
shown in this
photo is 2:3 as all those hoisted outside the UN
building.
Manuel Gabino, 27 Sep 2002
It’s interesting to note that the very same UN who come up with a
never-heard-of prescription for 1:2 national
flag ratio, now uses a 2:3 flag at its flag yard in New York.
António Martins, 30 Sep 2002
The only variarion was (in 1975-1999)
ever the orientation of the star, mostely depicted pointing up.
Unlike the ratio and
color shades, though, the orientation of
the star (to upper hoist) is specified in the
constitution.
António Martins, 27 May 2002 and 25 Sep 2002
.gif)
click to enlargeThe central emblem is the well known
C.N.R.T.
shield and the motto is also based on
Falintil’s.
António Martins, 11 Sep 2002
Behind the shield there is a yellow sun with 14 rays. All surounded by a
light blue circle with the black text "REPÚBLICA DEMOCRÁTICA DE
TIMOR-LESTE" and between two white stars "RDTL". Under the circle is
a red banner with the black words "HONRA, PÁTRIA E POVO".
J. Patrick Fischer, 13 Aug 2002
The stamps issued by East Timor on 20 May 2002, with the
inscription "Independência 2002" include a $2 value showing
this very flag. The currency is US dollars.
Mike Oettle, 26 Jun 2002
Australia Post has designed and printed the first postage stamps
for newly independent East Timor. One
of the four stamps shows the national flag, as also the
First Day Cover.
Ralph Bartlett, 23 May 2002
Here it is, on the Australian Post web site:
http://www.2.auspost.com.au/stamps/stampshop_2.asp?pid=369894653&product_type=8&category_id=284.
Evan Who, 23 May 2002
