The United Nations’ Role in the Birth of Independent East Timor, A Blunder?

Judul	:	The United Nations’ Role in the Birth of Independent East Timor, A Blunder?
Penulis	:	Bilveer Singh
Penerbit	:	Crescent Design Associates
Tahun Cetak	:	1999
Halaman	:	296
ISBN	:	981-04-2041-2
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. Portugal continued to regard all its colonies as part of its national territory even though the international community rejected this, best evident form the United Nations’ General Assembly Resolution 1514 and 1541 in December 1960. Despite this recalcitrance, the enforced decolonisation of Portugal’s colonial empire began with the India’s forceful decolonisation of Goa in December 1961. At the same time, a violent national liberation struggle broke out in their African colony that was to bleed Portugal and leave a lasting impact on Portugal’s politic through the launch of the ‘Flower Revolution’ in April 1974.

Following the change in regime in Lisbon, East Timor was ‘released’ from the clutches of Portuguese control, irresponsibly at that, being abandoned in the midst of a furious civil war. Indonesia’s involvement in East Timor could be traced directly to this Portuguese action, culminating in Jakarta’s interventions when the situation in the territory became untenable, all the more, when the majority of the political parties requested that Indonesia intervena and accept the territory’s integration with the Republic. While Indonesia succeeded in doing so, internationally, her actions were disapproved, with East Timor continued to be regarded as a non-self-governing territory. During the Cold War, the situation was politically and strategically tolerable for Jakarta as the key international players, including the United States, backed Indonesia, with Australia even recognising Indonesian sovereignty over East Timor.