Conflict in East Timor, Australia's involvement, Relevance to Australia's national interest

1. East Timor
Azita and Selina

2. Conflicts in East Timor
• Civil war between Fretilin and UDT,
August 1975
• Indonesian invasion (Operasi Seroja),
December 1975
• Indonesian campaign of terror, 1999

3. Civil war

4. Civil war
August 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

5. Indonesia’s invasion of East Timor

6. Indonesia’s invasion of East Timor
7th 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

7. Indonesian campaign of terror

9. Indonesian campaign of terror
1999
• 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

10. 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