For the Aussies out there

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I was wondering what the general opinion was from any australians here on the fiasco that is East Timor. I am a true blue Aussie and I support the East Timor government for becoming independent (something that we seriously need to do) but should we be sticking around to try and sort out a problem that should have been resolved by the government a couple of years ago? Our peacekeepers are hardly a military force that should be frontlines if things get seriously out of hand (which I sincerely hope they do not). This is mainly targeted at Aussies but if you are not an Aussie but still know what is going on in this part of the world with respects to East Timor, then be my guest to comment.

 

I don't actually have a problem with peace-keepers being in East Timor - so long as they're not supporting one faction over another. They should simply keep the peace, not support the current regime (or the rebels or anyone else for that matter).

As far as I know, this is what has happened so far (though there probably has been a bit of pro-current-government bias, as I guess they'd rather act with someone who has a claim to legitimacy). It doesn't sound like the place is going to errupt too badly anymore.

Maybe if I knew more about it I'd have more of a problem with it (I haven't followed it all that much) - but with my current level of knowledge, it doesn't seem to be a ****-up.

 

It's good that Alkatiri has now resigned. He didn't have the kind of respect that Gusmao does (what with having been there all the way through the struggle for independence), and was not popular even before he sacked a large group of military personnel. And that's leaving aside the allegations that he formed and armed death squads to target his political enemies.

I have no problem at all with Aussie troops being in East Timor. I agree almost entirely with Aik - they aren't there to take sides, only to maintain order, make sure that as few people as possible are rioting, looting, burning or dying. They certainly aren't there as an occupying force as such, or as an army to back either the government or the rebels.

Without meaning to sound pessimistic, I'm not sure Timor can hold itself together or become a viable independent nation. I hope I'm wrong, but I just think that without an external enemy to combine against, tribalism and internecine feuding will splinter the nation - particularly when individuals like Gusmao (who everyone admires) leave office or pass away.