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

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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

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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

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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