In East Timor the U.N. asserts a new role: midwiving a nation

Soldiers of the multinational peacekeeping force had to be constantly alert in early October when peacekeepers were attacked several times by armed bands opposed to East Timor's move toward independence from Indonesia

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(CNN) -- Sometimes the cure seems worse than the disease. That was apparently the case with the U.N.-prescribed treatment for East Timor.

Abandoned by the Portuguese in 1975 following centuries of control, East Timor was invaded by Indonesia shortly afterward and annexed the next year. Many nations refused to recognize Jakarta's authority, and the region became a perennial hotbed of separatist violence.

Finally, on August 30, a U.N.-sponsored referendum in which East Timorese voted overwhelmingly for independence. The cheers, however, were short-lived. Pro-Indonesia militia soldiers and their supporters were soon running amok, killing, burning and looting.

Hundreds of people wait eagerly to vote hours before polls opened on August 30

The international response was surprisingly swift. An Australian-led peacekeeping force was assembled and with Jakarta's permission sent to restore order. Soon afterward, Indonesia turned over administration of East Timor to the United Nations.

The region is now in transition. As the United Nations attempts to guide East Timor toward self-rule, many problems remain.

Hundreds of thousands of East Timorese are still in refugee camps in Indonesian West Timor. The region is poor, and concerns exist about investment and development.

Some positive signs exist that the territory's future will be stable. And some are cautiously calling East Timor a successful example of what the U.N. can do, given the right situation.