East Timor

Azita and Selina

Conflicts in East Timor

• Civil war between Fretilin and UDT, August 1975

• Indonesian invasion (Operasi Seroja), December 1975

• Indonesian campaign of terror, 1999

Civil war

Civil warAugust 1975

• Secret Indonesian propaganda campaign Operasi Komodo divides supporters of UDT and Fretilin

• UDT fears coup from Fretilin and stages own in Dili

• Fretilin overcomes UDT’s attempt to push away Fretilin supporters

• Fretilin declares independence of East Timor on 28th November 1975

• Indonesia responds with “Balibo Declaration”, for unity of Indonesia and East Timor

Indonesia’s invasion of East Timor

Indonesia’s invasion of East Timor7th December, 1975

• Largest military operation carried out by Indonesia

• Political instability and fight against communism used as excuses to invade

• Indonesian troops shoot East Timorese in cities, loot houses and rape women and girls

• 2000 people killed in Dili in first week• Many more put to death• East Timor made Indonesia’s 27th province• Annexation unrecognised by UN

Indonesian campaign of terror

Indonesian campaign of terror1999

• East Timorese are permitted to vote between autonomy and independence

• Almost all eligible voters vote in referendum• Majority vote on independence (78.5%)• Militia supported by Indonesia rampage

through East Timor• INTERFET is established • Australia leads international intervention force

to stop killings• Indonesia withdraws troops and allows

intervention force to stabilise conditions

Australia’s involvement in East Timor

• Did not recognise Fretilin’s declaration of independence in 1975

• Did not attempt to intervene in invasion in 1975

• Howard government changed position from no support of East Timorese self-determination

• Troops led international intervention force in 1999 to stop Indonesians from killing any more

• Helped to create good conditions for East Timor to gain independence

• Darwin was