
Judul
|
:
|
Human Rights? Wiranto
and The Independence of East Timor
|
Penulis
|
:
|
Bilveer Singh
|
Penerbit
|
:
|
Book House,
Book and Writers Network Sydney
|
Bahasa
|
:
|
Inggris
|
Tahun
Cetak
|
:
|
2004
|
Halaman
|
:
|
349
|
ISBN
|
:
|
978-174-0183-147
|
Harga
|
:
|
Rp. 100.000
|
Status
|
:
|
Ada
|
Even though the United Nations' interest in
East Timor can be traced from the debate on its status as a non self-governing
territory, Portugal, the colonial power, was largely unmoved as it was not a
United Nations' member until 1955. The status quo only altered following a
change in regime in Portugal as a result of the 'Flower Revolution' in 1974.
Rather, irresponsibly, Portuguese leftist officers in-charge of East Timor
abandoned the colonial territory when a furious civil war was taking place
amidst great loss of lives. Indonesia's intervention, with the support of the United
States, can be directly traced to this Portuguese failure, culminating in territory's
integration into Indonesia.
Indonesia's actions were however not fully
endorsed by the international community and the territory continued to be
regarded as a non self-governing territory. Due to the Cold War, the situation
was somewhat tolerated with Australia even recognizing Indonesia's sovereignty
over East Timor. At the same time, the territory was plagued by warfare with
the pro-independence insurgents fighting the Indonesian military and the
pro-integration forces. This situation continued until May 1998. After
Suharto's resignation, President Habibie decided to give the East Timorese the
right to decide their future with Indonesia. Following the United Nations'
sponsored ballot, unfortunately marred by fraud and injustice, the East Timorese
opted for independence.
Due largely to the manner the ballot was
conducted, the behavior of UNAMET officials prior and after the ballot, and the
animosity of the pro and anti-integration forces toward each other, violence
broke in East Timor even though many in the West blamed Indonesia, and in
particular, the Indonesian military (TNI) and its then commander, General
Wiranto.
The study traces the evolution of East
Timor's independence and examines the factors behind the many human rights
abuses in the territory. Can the TNI and Wiranto be blamed for the violence
that transpired in East Timor? Why is the West, especially Australia, so keen
on blaming the TNI and Wiranto on what transpired in East Timor? Was the West
in any way responsible for the actual violence that broke out in East Timor?
Does Australia's East Timor policy since independence explain why it was keen
on exaggerating what happened in the territory and allaying blame on the TNI?
What was Australia's role in the violence that broke out in East Timor? In
hindsight, with so much evidence coming out of East Timor pertaining to the UNAMET
and Australia's role, what verdict can be made on Wiranto's culpability as far
as human rights violations are concerned? It is hoped that this study will contribute
in shedding new light on this matter, especially as far as Wiranto and the independence
of East Timor is concerned.