[2] In local elections held on 13 March 1975, Fretilin and UDT emerged as the largest parties, having previously formed an alliance to campaign for independence.

On 28 November 1975, Fretilin made a unilateral declaration of independence of the Democratic Republic of East Timor in an act not recognised by either Portugal or Indonesia.

[6] On the morning of 7 December 1975, Indonesian forces launched a massive air and sea invasion of East Timor, known as Operasi Seroja (Operation Lotus) capturing Dili later that afternoon.

Berhubungan dengan isi dari Proklamasi penyatuan ini, Pemerintah Indonesia dan rakyat Indonesia diminta untuk mengambil langkah-langkah yang perlu untuk melindungi kehidupan rakyat, yang ingin merupakan bagian Bangsa Indonesia, yang berada di bawah teror dan fasis yang dilakukan oleh Fretilin dan direstui oleh Portugis.We, the people of Portuguese Timor, represented by APODETI - Associação Popular Democrática Timorense, UDT - União Democrática Timorense , KOTA - Klibur Oan Timor Asu'wain and Partido Trabalhista, after carefully considering the Fretilin actions that were realized through the "Proclamation of independence" regarding the territory of Portuguese Timor.

In the name of God Almighty, and for the reasons above, we solemnly declare the unification of the entire territory of the former Portuguese colony in Timor with the Indonesian state.

Done at the city of Dili on the 31st of May 1976 The Chief Executive of the Provisional Government of East Timor Arnaldo dos Reis Araújo Chairman of the Popular Representative Assembly