East Timor - Problems with peace

August 30 marks the five-year anniversary of the independence referendum in East Timor. This referendum saw the East Timorese strongly voice their desire for liberty from Indonesia. Throughout the 24-year occupation of East Timor by Indonesia, the East Timorese suffered a great deal with nearly a third of their population killed, about 200,000 people in all.

While many people hoped and believed that independence would bring peace and prosperity to East Timor, the truth is that the country is still suffering. In order for East Timor to survive and become a peaceful and prosperous nation, the issues of poverty on an individual and national scale, as well as the growing problems of political instability, must be addressed.

A brief history of East Timor

1520: Portuguese explorers settle in East Timor.

1859: Portugal declares East Timor a Portuguese colony.

1942: Japanese invade East Timor to fight Australian troops. Over forty thousand East Timorese die, supporting Australia.

1974: Portugal decides to leave East Timor.

1975: Indonesia invades East Timor.

1976: Indonesia declares that East Timor is part of Indonesia. The United Nations Organisation does not accept this. Australia does. From this time, there is a heavy Indonesian presence in East Timor and many human rights abuses.

1991: People protesting against human rights abuses gather at Santa Cruz Cemetery. In the presence of journalists from around the world, more than two hundred and fifty East Timorese people are massacred by the Indonesian army.

1999: An agreement is signed between Portugal, Indonesia and the East Timorese people. The United Nations organises a ballot to ask the people if they want to be an independent nation. Despite continued threats from the Indonesian army and militia, the East Timorese vote overwhelmingly in favour of independence. After the result is announced there is widespread killing and destruction. About half a million people see their houses destroyed. Thousands flee the terror.

Australian led peace-keeping forces enter East Timor. The United Nations taskforce runs a caretaker government until an election is held.

2002 East Timor becomes independent

Challenges

In the five years since the referendum many problems have arisen that now threaten the development of East Timor.

Economically, East Timor is still one of the poorest countries in the world. Rogerio dos Santos, Director of Caritas Dili (the capital of East Timor ) said “Economically, East Timor is in the same situation as it was before independence. We are the poorest country in Asia. We are happy because we are independent, but we are not free economically. We have no electricity in the villages. We have no transport. The roads were very badly destroyed in the fighting. Water is also very scarce.”

Many of the East Timorese are suffering from poverty, manifesting its effects in disease and malnutrition. The vicious cycle of poverty must be broken.

This has been further compounded by the Australian government's reluctance until recently to come to a fair agreement with East Timor regarding the Oil Gap Treaty. Negotiations continue and Australians need to remain vigilant in ensuring our government fulfils its moral and legal obligations.

The new government of East Timor has had many problems in its initial stages. Many of the freedom fighters who fought for years to gain independence are dissatisfied with the government and their lack of recognition and their role in the young, growing country. This dissatisfaction has already resulted in demonstrations, leading to arrests and violence. The government is also facing criticism because it has not pursued many of the perpetrators of the violence which occurred during Indonesian occupation.

Ideas to help solve the problems

There is no one solution to the problems in East Timor. However the following initiatives can be seen as small steps on the road to positive development.

- Support needs to be given to organisations and individuals in East Timor that are working towards sustainable development

- Development programs must promote income generation initiatives and training for the population

- Infrastructure needs to be built and maintained. This includes items such as roads, schools and hospitals

- Providing health services must become a priority

- The people need to be educated about their rights under their new government. At present, many people are still afraid of the government and the political process

- Justice needs to be sought for the victims of terror and violence in East Timor. At present many people including the Prime Minister of New Zealand are urging the United Nations to open a War Crimes Tribunal to ensure that the perpetrators of the 1999 atrocities are brought to justice. Australia does not support this initiative. The young East Timorese government must be encouraged and supported by the international community to seek and receive justice.

- The Australian government must support the development process in East Timor. This support should come in the form of political and monetary support. At present the two governments are arguing over sea boundaries that determine which country can control resources in areas rich in billions of dollars worth of oil and gas. A just and fair solution to the dispute needs to be sought; one that recognises and appreciates the difficult economic and political situation East Timor is in as a consequence of its recent history.

Peace and prosperity are difficult things to attain. In a country that has lost so much and is still suffering it is even harder. The global community, which remained silent for the 24 years of violent occupation of East Timor, must now work to help heal the wounds of East Timor and assist in its long development process.