Indonesia Invades East Timor
The invasion of East Timor by Indonesia began on December 7, 1975, when Indonesian military forces entered the territory, which had been under Portuguese control. This invasion occurred in the context of Indonesia's post-World War II independence and the broader historical backdrop of European colonialism in the region, where the island of Timor was divided between Portuguese and Dutch control. The incursion was driven by Indonesia's concerns over rising Timorese independence movements and the slow pace of negotiations with Portugal regarding East Timor's future.
The invasion triggered a protracted struggle for independence that lasted nearly 25 years, resulting in an estimated 200,000 fatalities due to brutal military tactics, famines, and civil strife. East Timorese resistance faced significant challenges as Indonesian forces sought to quell dissent through harsh measures. In the late 1990s, a shift in Indonesia's political landscape and mounting international pressure led to a referendum in August 1999, where the East Timorese overwhelmingly voted for independence.
However, this decision was met with violence as pro-Indonesian militia groups attacked the populace. An international peacekeeping force intervened to restore order, culminating in Indonesia's eventual acknowledgment of East Timor's independence. While the island has achieved independence, the legacy of conflict and its effects on the population continue to shape the region's future.
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Indonesia Invades East Timor
Indonesia Invades East Timor
East Timor is part of the island of Timor in the Indonesian archipelago. It was a part of traditional Asian trade routes because of its spices and prized sandalwood trees. As Europeans began to arrive in the region centuries ago, the Portuguese colonized the eastern half of the island while the Dutch later colonized the western half, in addition to the rest of Indonesia. When Indonesia declared independence after World War II, West Timor became part of the new nation, but Portugal retained control over East Timor. In the 1970s the Portuguese government entered into talks with the regime of Indonesian president Suharto about the future of East Timor, but the Indonesians were frustrated by the rise of Timorese independence movements and the pace of talks with the Portuguese. Therefore, on December 7, 1975, Suharto's forces invaded the territory and forced it to become a province of Indonesia.
The result was a struggle for independence which lasted for nearly a quarter of a century and cost an estimated 200,000 lives. Indonesian tactics were brutal and their efforts to pacify the countryside led to famines and many civilian casualties from the civil war with guerrilla groups. Finally, a combination of regime changes in Indonesia and international pressure forced the Indonesian government to permit East Timor to hold a referendum in August 1999. After the Timorese voted overwhelmingly in favor of independence, however, the Indonesians supported anti-independence militia groups and more violence erupted. Finally, an international peacekeeping force consisting largely of Australians occupied East Timor to restore order, and the Indonesians agreed to respect the outcome of the referendum and renounce their claims to the territory. Thousands more people died during this transitional period, and while as of the writing of this book in the early 21st century, it appears that independence has successfully been achieved, much remains to be seen in the years to come.