AN EAST TIMORESE GIRL HOLDS A CANDLE DURING A MASS PRAYER SERVICE IN TACITOLU

An East Timorese girl holds a candle during a mass prayer before the start of independence day celebrations in Tacitolu, near the capital Dili May 19, 2002. East Timor proudly takes its place as the world's newest nation when its declares independence at midnight (1500 GMT) on Sunday, capping a long and bloody struggle for freedom from foreign occupation. REUTERS/Darren Whiteside