Ever wondered what Xanana Gusmao reads?

The Australia-East Timor Association and the East Timor Students Association have launched a new book edited by Michael Leach and ADRI member, Damien Kingsbury:

The Politics of Timor-Leste: Democratic Consolidation after Intervention, published by Cornell Southeast Asia Program Publications, Cornell University, USA

The book launch, held last week, was headed by special guest: Rae Kingsbury, Honorary Consul-General for Timor-Leste.

The Politics of Timor-Leste explores the critical issues facing the Asia-Pacific's youngest nation as it seeks to consolidate a democracy following years of International intervention. The authors study the challenges that have burdened the state since it broke from Indonesia amid the violence of 1999 and formally achieved full independence in 2002. They assess the notable accomplishments of Timor-Leste's leaders and citizens, and consider the country's future prospects as international organizations prepare to depart. A close study of Timor-Leste sheds light on ambitious state-building  projects that have been initiated, with varying success, across the globe.

"The Politics of Timor-Leste is an essential reference point for anyone concerned with the most important political issues to be addressed by the country in the coming years. Its authors provide a comprehensive overview of political parties, and the electoral and judicial systems, and describe the main aspects of development strategies implemented since independence. Bringing these topics together in one volume provides a highly useful guide for assessing the possibilities for the continuation and development of democratic processes within Timor-Leste."

- John G. Taylor, Professor of Politics, London South Bank University, author of East Timor: The Price of Freedom