Which one of the following statements is correct?

1. The question asks for the correct statement regarding East Timor. 2. Option (A) states it was a British colony. This is incorrect; it was primarily a Portuguese colony. 3. Option (B) states European rulers handed it over to Indonesia in 1975. This is incorrect; Portugal withdrew in 1975, and Indonesia invaded shortly after. 4. Option (C) states the United Nations took over in 1999 to prepare it for independence. This is correct. Following the 1999 referendum, the UN Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) was established. 5. Option (D) states it declared independence in Dec. 2001. This is incorrect; independence was formally restored on May 20, 2002. 6. Therefore, the correct statement is (C).