Australian Neo-Colonialist Intervention in East Timor By William Hardiker

Australian Neo-Colonialist Intervention in East Timor

By William Hardiker

Al-Jazeerah, June 24, 2006

In 2001, to much rejoicing and celebration East Timor became an Independent State free from Indonesian rule. Indonesia finally conceded East Timor’s right to exist as a free, autonomous State. The resistance movement ‘Fretlin’ led by Xanana Gusmo and the courage and tenacity of the East Timorese people forced the oppressive Indonesian government and militia’s to withdraw and concede East Timor autonomous self rule.

In regional elections last year, over 80% of the vote went to Fretlin led by Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri.Alkatiri’s who describes his political ideology as “Economic Nationalism opposes privatisation and World bank interference. Mr Alkatiri is a secular Muslim and anti-Imperialist who have remained steadfast against the Australian Howard Government’s attempts to gain a controlling influence in East Timor both politically and economically. The Howard Government has its sights set on the vast oil and gas deposits in the Timor Gap.

In April a section of the East Timorese Army mutinied reportedly over wages. According to veteran Australian journalist John Pilger,” an eye-witness Australian radio reporter Maryanne Keady disclosed that American and Australian officials were involved”. On April 7, Alkatiri described the rioting that ensued as an “attempted Coup” and that “foreigners and outsiders were attempting to divide the Nation”. A leaked Australian Defence Department document has revealed that Australia’s -primary objective in East Timor is to “seek access” for the Australian military in order that it may exercise influence over East Timor’s decision making. As Pilger states “a Bushite neo-con could not have put it better”.

The opportunity to exert such influence came on May 31. The Howard Government accepted an invitation from East Timorese President Xanana Gusmo, and Foreign Minister, Jose Ramos Horta, both of whom oppose Alkatiri’s nationalism, to deploy troops to the capital – Dili. The Australian media typically portrayed this as an “Aussie troops to the rescue type mission along with a degrading campaign against Alkatiri. Insinuating him to be a corrupt dictator figure.

This is clearly Imperialist intervention by a small pacific power, Australia exerting its military might against a small politically and militarily defenceless new State. Neo-colonialism such as we are witnessing on a grander scale with the US in the Middle East. As Paul Kelly, a reporter for The Murdoch owned “Australian” newspaper wrote” this is a highly political intervention…Australia is operating as a regional power or a political hegemon that shapes security and political outcomes”. Like its puppet master in Washington, the Howard Government is using its regional clout to benefit its own interests at the expense of a weaker power.

Earth, a planet hungry for peace

Apartheid Wall


The Israeli Land-Grab Apartheid Wall built inside the Palestinian territories, here separating Abu Dis from occupied East Jerusalem. (IPC, 7/4/04).

The Israeli apartheid (security) wall around Palestinian population centers in the West Bank, like a Python. (Alquds,10/25/03).

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