East Timor

“Ideological hatred breeds racial hatred and intolerance” (p. 297). It is from this ideology that historians have over the years realized how genocides occur within different countries. From 1975 until roughly 1979, the ideology is defined within the genocide that took place within the Portuguese colony of East Timor (p. 279). It was until this time that the country of East Timor had been loosely administered by the Portuguese. Because of this notion that, “…for more than four centuries Portugal had been the dominant, almost exclusive, external influence in East Timor” (p.281). It is also important time because the country of East Timor sought out for their independence from the Portuguese. However, in September of 1974 the neighboring country
“It was poor, undeveloped, remote, and unconnected to the global network of commercial and tourist communications. It possessed no apparent strategic value to any nation, with the possible exception of Indonesia.” (p.283). Therefore because of their country’s quality allowed for the country of Indonesia to grasp the need for East Timor to be colonized under Indonesia in order for Indonesia to succeed. However according to the Indonesia concept, the colonizing with East Timor was not for a gain in territory, but instead they were concerned that without the Indonesia stability within the country… an independent East Timor, “…would stimulate ambitions for independence among discontented nearby ethnic groups, such as the West Timorese and the Ambonese” (p. 283). Therefore, the only acceptable solution was to occupy and integrate the country of East Timor (p.
… it is clear that the invasion and subjugation of East Timor, especially in the early stages, was carried out with scant regard for the lives, let alone rights, of the Timorese people” (p. 286). It was during this time that the country of Indonesia carried out all essences of war that would ultimately be considered as a genocide upon the nation of the East Timor. Throughout the war, “…rampaging Indonesian troops engaged in an orgy of indiscriminate killing, rape, and torture. Large scale public executions were carried out—women being included among the victims—suggesting a systematic campaign, of terror. In some villages whole communities were slaughtered, except for young children” (p. 286-287). Because of the mass escapades taken upon the people of East Timor, many were driven out into the mountainous ranges of the country in hopes of escaping the civil war. Although many were able to escape to the mountains…the many ultimately experienced an essence of the greatest death (due to famine and diseases) there through out the three years of the war (p. 288). At the end of the civil war, the country of East Timor did not truly gain their independence until the year 1999. Because of this, the country was given time to regain their countries society as a whole…but it would ultimately take many years (even until 2012) before they gained