Falintil Military Testimor: The Initial Invasion Of East Timor

Kevin O’Grady
Geography
AYE
East Timor In November of 1975, East Timor gained its independent from Portugal. This independence was made possible largely due to Falintil. It was was a left wing political party that started as a resistance group that fought for freedom in East Timor that started as a branch of FRETILIN . At this time, the United States was withdrawing troops from their war in South Vietnam. The United States did not support Falintil, as it brought communist ideas with them. On December 6, 1975, President Carter and Secretary of State Kissinger met with Suharto, the President of Indonesia. In 1999, documents were released to show that Ford and Kissinger agreed to establish an arms factory in Indonesia. Just one day later on
This was a three -part attack that would last under 3 weeks. Indonesia attacked the capital city of Dili by sea. Indonesia also deployed 641 paratroopers to land in Dili. By 12pm on December 7, Indonesia had control over the city of Dili. 3 days later on December 10, Indonesia was able to capture Baucau. In 1976, Indonesia had about 35,000 troops in East Timor. At this time, the Falintil military was outnumbered and outmatched. They decided to retreat to the Ramelau mountains, where they continued to fight using guerilla warfare. In 1976, the Indonesian military started killing civilians, including women and children. A stalemate occurred in 1976. The Indonesian military was not able too do much, as many of the people retreated to the mountains. Starting in 1977, Indonesia ordered missile- firing boats from power countries including the United States and Australia. In February of the same year, Indonesia received 13 OV-10 bronco attack aircrafts from the United States. The Indonesians started a bombarding campaign, where they bombed many villages and the mountains where many people were hiding This resulted in many death destroyed crops, which led to hunger. At this point Indonesia held control of East Timor, and they would for the next 25 years. During this time, people of East Timor were subject to torture, starvation, executions, and massacres. It is estimated that during that time of Indonesian
In 1976, Portugal helped East Timor develop the their oil industry when they granted them their in 1976. This was soon taken over shortly after, when the Indonesians invaded and occupied the country. In 1989, the Timor Gap Treaty was signed. This dived the resources of East Timor equally between Australia and Indonesia, while giving East Timor nothing. This established a 50-50 map for where each country was allowed to drill for reserves. In late 1999, anti-independence militants destroyed Dili. The city was set afire. 70 % of East Timor’s economy was destroyed by the violence just prior to independence. The World Health Organization released details on the environmental conditions of East Timor following the violence of September 1999. They said sanitation was poor, as only 48 % of the people had access to clean water and only 38% of the people had access to dispose waste in a sanitary way. Medical waste was also an issue, as many of them could not afford to dispose of them properly. Instead, many elected to burn hazardous materials. The violence in September 1999 left Dili an environmental