: : A quarter of a century ago the world stood by as Indonesian armed forces 'annexed' the Portugese colony of East Timor.: SDF: But did anyone know? Frankly this is the first time I've seen any news footage from East Timor on my television set, ever, and I'm watching the tube only a few dozen miles away from Hollywood.
As I recall the UN security council passed a resolution condemning the actions of Indonesia in 1975. Apart from this little has been done. I suppose it is becuase East Timor is a relatively small country without any big friends.
their plight was exacerbated by the actions of the Australian governemnt, their closest neighbour who effectively 'gave' timor to Indonesia. The only country to adopt a proactive stance against the Indonesians was Portugal, the former colonial power who estabilsihed the province (it was Portugal alone who protested when Australia and Indonesia signed a treaty to jointly exploit the ocean resources of East Tinor).
On the other hand East Timor did receive a substantial amount of publicity a few years ago when two of its resistance movement (for want of a better phrase), Horta and Carlos Belo received the nobel peace prize.
Another thing to note about Indonesia is the substantial millitary aid it has received from the west. Its elite armed forces (Who are primarily responsible for the killings) were trained in Australia from the early 60s up until 1995. The US also trained these same indonesian troops in psychological warfare just a few years ago. Furthermore Indonesia is a major purchaser of armaments (what millitary dictatorship isn't?). The west has happily sold these weapons in full knowledge that they are used in atrocities.
So i suppose one can say that the governments of these nations have themselves to blame. No huffing and puffing and righteous moral indignation can hide the fact that they provided the Indonesians with the means to commit widespread atrocities, not just in the last week, but over the last 25 years. When I wonder does economic pragmatism become complicity?
: About the current situation:
: : Where is the UN peace keeping force you ask? Nowhere. Security was entrusted to the Indonesians alone. A very foolish move given the history of the Indonesians in the province (genocide anbd human rights abuse).
: SDF: I have to wonder if the UN isn't close to collapse after the foreign policy machinations surrounding the Yugoslavian bombing, the US bombing of the Chinese embassy etc. Is it?
The Un may be close to collpase. I don't know. I have heard the US has refused to commit troops to Timor on the basis that it is overstretched in the Balkans. I have also heard they have given Indonesia 48 hours to get the situation under control (starting wednesday- will there be any Timorese left in east timor by then i wonder? I hear the militas and the army are working together to clear out the Timorese, taking them to another Indonesian province and bringing in Indonesian loyalists to live in East Timor.).
But that threat seems to ring hollow, given that the world is reluctant to intervene without the consent of Indonesia (interesting to note that only Australia recognises Indonesia as sovereign in East Timor, so really it is Indonesia who is ILLEGALLY IN TIMOR).
