What did Indonesia do to East Timor?
After setting several houses on fire, Indonesian soldiers massacred as many as 2,000 men, women and children. In March 1977 ex-Australian consul James Dunn published a report detailing charges that since December 1975 Indonesian forces had killed between 50,000 and 100,000 civilians in East Timor.
Why did Indonesia annex East Timor?
John Taylor writes that Indonesia invaded for three main reasons: (1) to avoid the “negative example” of an independent province, (2) to have access to the high initial estimates of oil and natural gas under the Timor Sea (initial estimates which turned out to be largely mistaken), and (3) following the fall of South …
Did Australia help East Timor?
Australia led the INTERFET operation in 1999, and provided substantial forces to the subsequent United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor and its successor operations. As of 2015, 25 Australian military personnel were stationed in East Timor to deliver this assistance.
Why did Indonesia invade West Papua?
The Indonesian government wanted all of the former Dutch colonies in the Asia-Pacific region and the Indonesian military soon invaded West Papua. It was the height of the Cold War and the US government was worried that Indonesia seeking Soviet Union support might increase the spread of communism in South East Asia.
Who liberated East Timor?
Indonesia
East Timor declared itself independent from Portugal in 1975, but was invaded by Indonesia. The country was later incorporated as a province of Indonesia. During the subsequent two-decade occupation, a campaign of pacification ensued.
Why did Portuguese leave East Timor?
However, Portuguese control was reinstated after the Japanese surrender at the end of World War II. Following the 1974 Portuguese revolution, Portugal effectively abandoned its colony in Timor and civil war between East Timorese political parties broke out in 1975.
When did the Dutch acknowledge Indonesian independence?
In December 1949, after four years of military and diplomatic confrontation with the Netherlands, the Dutch Government finally recognised the independence of the Dutch East Indies, which became the Republic of the United States of Indonesia.
What was Papua previously known as?
The province was formerly called Irian Jaya and comprised the entire Western New Guinea until the inauguration of the province of West Papua (then West Irian Jaya) in 2001. In 2002, Papua adopted its current name and was granted a special autonomous status under Indonesian legislation.
Who is Fretilin?
A collection of recent FRETILIN speeches, documents, statements, news and reports. FRETILIN formed in 1974 to pursue full independence for East Timor and was the main party of the resistance throughout Indonesian occupation. Who is FRETILIN? Updated May 16
What does FALINTIL stand for?
Falintil (or FALINTIL) originally began as the military wing of the political party FRETILIN of East Timor. It was established on 20 August 1975 in response to FRETILIN’s political conflict with the Timorese Democratic Union (UDT). The name FALINTIL is an acronym of its full name in Portuguese, Forças Armadas da Libertação Nacional de Timor-Leste.
Who is the leader of the Fretilin party?
Commonly known as “Lu Olo”, Mr Guterres leads the centre-left Fretilin party and is a former guerrilla, having fought against Indonesia’s occupation of East Timor. ^ CAVR. “Chega! Final Report of the Commission for Reception, Truth and Reconciliation in East Timor – Part 3: The History of the Conflict” (PDF). para.
How did Fretilin start the Timor Leste War?
In response to a coup by the Timorese Democratic Union (UDT) on 11 August 1975, Fretilin hastily formed an armed wing called Falintil, which emerged victorious after a three week civil war. Falintil would continue to wage war against the Indonesian military during its invasion on 7 December 1975 and ensuing occupation .