East Timor and Its Giant Southern Neighbor

Abstract

In this chapter, Peter Murphy presents an Australian modern political view of the Australia and East Timor relationship. Through the 24 years of resistance in East Timor between 1975 and 1999, Australians of very diverse political views maintained their sympathy with the Timorese and their opposition to Australian complicity. They ranged from Communist Party activists, trade unionists, the Commando veterans, Catholics, Labor as well as Liberal people, Aboriginal leaders, and media workers. Given the security role that Australia has taken on, Australia’s leaders are challenged to respect the Timorese people. Their nationalist and democratic character has been forged by their own history, 500 years of colonialism, three decades of neo-colonialism, resistance, and aspirations to establish their own flowering culture.