DOCSLIB.ORG

East Timor: Language and Gender in the Articulations and Representations of the Nationalist Struggle1 Zakiah Cabral, University of California at Berkeley

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
East Timor: Language and Gender in the Articulations and Representations of the Nationalist Struggle1 Zakiah Cabral, University of California at Berkeley East Timor: Language and Gender in the Articulations and Representations of the Nationalist Struggle1 Zakiah Cabral, University of California at Berkeley The polarity between text and self and The most conspicuous crack in the narra­ narrative and event cannot hold. In a tive of the “big, happy family”— the Indo­ political culture the self that narrates speaks nesian national motto is “Bhinneka Tunggal from a position of having been narrated Ika,” a Sanskrit translation of the Latin “E and edited by others—by political institu­ pluribus unum,” or “Unity in Diversity”— tions, by concepts of historical causality, is the independence movement in East and possibly by violence. Timor, which has shown a remarkable resil­ —Alan Feldman ience in the face of overwhelming military and political odds.4 We, Timorese women, are always facing Benedict Anderson powerfully argues in deadly weapons aimed at us ready to fire Imagined Communities: Reflections on the Ori­ and we hardly have the power to say a gin and Spread of Nationalism that nations word of help to the outside world. themselves are narrations; he observes that —Mrs. HauNara, “East Timorese Women “in the modern world everyone can, should, Scream Out to the World For Help” will ‘have’ a nationality, as he or she ‘has’ a gender” (14). In most cases, the nation has I. Introduction been imagined as having a female gender, Post-colonial critics have written exten­ thus casting nationhood in terms of a con­ sively on how colonized people and those test between the colonizer and the male who have been unrepresented use narrative nationalist in their construction of the na­ fiction to express resistance and the exist­ tion as a feminized object.5 ence of their own history. Edward Said This essay is an attempt to listen to voices writes: “The main battle in imperialism is which break from the dominant discourse over land, of course; but when it came to of Indonesian colonial nationalism in East who owned the land, who had the right to Timor. I will look at: 1) the articulations of settle and work on it, who kept it going, the nationalist struggle in the Portuguese who won it back, and who now plans its language, particularly in the public trial of future— these issues were reflected, con­ Xanana Gusmâo, leader of FALINTIL tested, and even for a time decided in (Forças Armadas de Libertaçâo Nacional de narrative” (xiii). This essay is about an Timor-Leste); 2) the emergence of popular ongoing colonial war, the Indonesian colo­ forms of resistance, specifically nization of East Timor, and the colonizer’s millenarianism and oral narratives, which attempt to narrate and edit, through politi­ are outside the discursive formations of the cal violence, the history of East Timor as universal, secular, nation-state; and, 3) the part of the “big, harmonious Indonesian representation of torture performed upon a family,”2 in which state terror is integrally feminized body in the protest poetry of Kay linked with the objectives and techniques of Shaly Rakmabean. These articulations may domestic political surveillance and control.3 still appear inchoate and incomplete due to 27 Lucero Vol. 5, 1994 the absence of an organized form of political they should and should not do in the inves­ representation, but this is also due to the tigation and trial process. repressive censorship existing under Indo­ The trial of Xanana, it is clear, was in­ nesian rule, which is sustained by an institu­ tended simultaneously to discredit and tionalized system of political violence. weaken the resistance in East Timor, hu­ miliate the defendant, assert Indonesian sov­ II. The Indonesian State’s Counter- ereignty over the territory, and dispel inter­ Insurgency and the Trial of national criticism of the Indonesian Xanana Gusmao government’s arbitrary use of terror by cre­ The Indonesian generals should be made ating the illusion that Indonesia is governed to realize that they have been defeated in by the rule of law. The precise charges East Timor. Here, today, as the com­ brought against Xanana were as follows: 1) mander of FALINTIL ... I acknowledge seeking to separate a part of the national military defeat on the ground. I am not territory from the authority of the state, ashamed to say so. On the contrary, I am which carries a maximum penalty of life proud of the fact that a small guerrilla army imprisonment; 2) leading an armed rebel­ was able to resist a large nation like Indo­ lion against the Indonesian state, which nesia, a regional power which in a cow­ carries a maximum penalty of twenty years ardly fashion invaded us and want to domi­ in prison; 3) conspiring to commit both of nate us by the law of terror and crime, by the crimes specified above; and, 4) unau­ the law of violence, persecution, prison, thorized possession of firearms, which car­ torture and murder. As a political ries a maximum penalty of death. On May prisoner in the hands of the occupiers of 21, 1993, Xanana was given a sentence of my country, it is of no consequence at all life imprisonment. to me if they pass a death sentence here As part of its counter-insurgency cam­ today. They have killed more than one paign to humiliate and discredit the inde­ third of the defenseless population ofEast pendence movement, the Indonesian mili­ Timor. They are killing my people and I tary has circulated stories in the press. Below am not worth more than the heroic struggle I quote excerpts from one of those which ofmy people who, because they are a small was published almost on a daily basis during and weak people, have always been sub­ the course of the trial in newspapers such as jected to foreign rule. Jaw a Pos: —Xanana Gusmao, “Xanana Condemns Indonesia” Behind his popularity as the boss of the GPK [Gerakati Petigacau The political trial of José Alexandre Keamatian ‘Security Disruptors Xanana Gusmao, which began on February Movements’]6 FALINTIL, 1, 1993 and concluded on May 14, 1993, Xanana conceals a host of nega­ was a tightly directed script authored by the tive characteristics. This was re­ Indonesian government. The power of the vealed when he was arrested on military, in particular, was felt at every stage November 20. This dark side of the judicial process in this trial. The became increasingly evident as judges, prosecutors, and even the lawyers more and more of his supporters for the defense were brought together for were arrested. One of the briefings by military intelligence authorities things was when Xanana “mar­ handling the case, and instructed in what ried”—or, more correctly, began 28 East Timor living in sin7 with—Luci began to rape her. Although he Ximenes. Xanana’s act was unac­ almost always uses a condom ceptable both to his family and to when he has intercourse, it turns his followers. The point is that out that this has not been suffi­ when he took over the leadership cient to protect him from sexu­ of FALINTIL, Xanana established ally transmitted diseases. When a rule that as long as they were in doctors in Denpasar examined the bush, members of FALINTIL him they discovered that he has a were not allowed to have their sex disease in such an advanced wives with them. state that it is very difficult to They were not allowed to flirt or cure. (“Demonizing Xanana”)8 to have a relationship with a woman because, according to Charismatic leadership and the idea of Xanana, such things could dam­ male power in Javanese culture has tradi­ age the state of mind of his fight­ tionally been associated with asceticism, ers. “Anybody who breaks this especially with regard to sexual activity, and rule must be punished. The se­ the ability to concentrate one’s libido so that verest punishment is to be shot it does not become diffused and disinte­ dead,” said Xanana at that time. grated. In Javanese culture, “the loosening . It is well known that Xanana of cosmological tautness stems frompamrih, has had relationships with many which essentially means the use of Power women. his libido is very for personal indulgence or the wasting of high. To satisfy this need, Xanana concentrated Power on the satisfaction of often asks for contributions; he personal passions” (Anderson,Language35). often asked villagers for women It was believed, for example, that the former when his group was in hiding in Indonesian president Sukarno’s demise was places nearby. Although due to his excessive womanizing. As Ander­ Xanana’s name was quite popular son notes: it seems that not all women who were offered to him accepted this The essential difference between voluntarily. Quite a number of the heroes and their adversaries is them refused. But their rejection that the latter eventually permit was in vain if Xanana wanted their Power to be diffused by them since he would force him­ indulging their passions without self on them anyway. This is what restraint, whereas the former was experienced by Rege, the maintain that steadfastness, that niece of Augusto Pereira. On tense singleness ofpurpose, which that afternoon, when he came insures the maintenance and con­ out he was wearing only his sa­ tinued accumulation of Power. rong. She suspected nothing when (Anderson, Language 25) Xanana and Augusto approached her and she only realized what The Indonesian government’s counter­ was happening after Augusto insurgency narratives must represent Xanana grabbed her two hands, clamping as the antithesis of the oral narratives which his hand over her mouth. Then are circulated by East Timorese, and which Xanana got onto the bed and describe his extraordinary supernatural pow­ 29 Lucero Vol.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Indonesian Who Joined Falintil'
    The Indonesian who Joined Falintil' Preface, by Gerry van Klinken The Indonesian who joined Falintil, like the American who joined A1 Qaeda or the Dutchman who joined the 1945 Indonesian revolutionaries, has power to shock because such a person questions the fundamental categories of the conflict. What after all is an Indonesian, an American, or a militant Muslim? What is this contest about? Muhammad Nasir crosses boundaries most see as so natural they are insuperable. He transforms himself from the street kid, Ketut Narto, to the policeman's adopted kid, Muhammad Nasir, and from there to the "oddball" guerrilla Klik Mesak (and presumably from Hindu to Muslim to whatever) and travels from Bah to Comandante Ular's Region 4 headquarters in the mountains of East Timor. For Nasir, these boundaries have little power to exclude. All the communities they enclose have a claim on him, but none more than others. Meanwhile, other boundaries do have authority for him. The eloquence with which this high school dropout describes the boundaries of "rights" is striking. Taking what he needs from a bankrupt school system, he discovers truths in history text books their authors never intended him to find: East Timor, being Portuguese, wasn't available for the taking by the former Dutch colony of Indonesia. The camaraderie of the school yard in Baucau and Dili does not distinguish between names. But here Nasir discovers the rights of "we" locals. "I wouldn't want anyone to take away my rights." The real divide is not between Indonesian and East Timorese, let alone between Muslim and Hindu or Catholic.
    [Show full text]
  • L'est INSULINDIEN
    Etudes interdisciplinaires sur le monde insulindien Sous le patronage de l' Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales ARCHIPEL 90 L'EsT INSULINDIEN 2015 Revu e SOU1CT1 l1C par l' Institut des Science s Humaines et Sociales du CNRS l'Instiuu francais dT ndones ie c l l' Institu t des Langues et Civ ilisations Orientales L 'EST INSULINDIEN Sous la direction de Dana Rappoport et Dominique Guillaud Sommaire INTRODUCTION 3 Dana Rappoport et Dominique Guillaud Reconsiderer r Est insulindien Du PEUPLEMENT A L'ECRITURE DE L'HISTOIRE 15 Susan O'Connor Rethinking the Neolithic in Island Southeast Asia, with Particular Reference to the Archaeology ofTimor-Leste and Sulawesi 49 Jean-Christophe Galipaud Reseaux neolithiques, nomades marins et marchands dans les petites lies de la Sonde 75 Hans Hagerdal Eastern Indonesia and the Writing ofHistory VERS UNE DEFINITION DE L'INSULINDE ORIENTALE 99 Antoinette Schapper Wallacea, a Linguistic Area 153 Philip Yampolsky Is Eastern Insulindia a Distinct Musical Area? AIRE DE TRANSITION OU CREUSET ? SOCIETES, TECHNIQUES, TERRITOIRES ET RITUELS 189 lames Fox Eastern Indonesia in Austronesian Perspective: The Evidence of Relational Terminologies Archipel90, Paris, 2015, p. 1-2 217 Cecile Barraud Parente, alliance. maisons dans l' Est insulindien : rcode neerlandaise et sa posterite critique 245 Dominique Guillaud Le vivrier et le sacre. Systemes agricoles, rituels et territoires dans TEst indonesien et aTimor-Leste 275 Dana Rappoport Musique et rituel dans I'Est insulindien (Indonesie orientate et Timor-Leste) : premierjalons 307 Ruth Barnes Textiles East ofthe Wallace Line. A Comparative Approach to Pattern and Technique RI;:SLJM~;S - ABSTRACTS (<:) Copyright Association Archipe12015 En couverture : Parure de danseuse aSolor Quest.
    [Show full text]
  • Timor-Leste's Veterans
    Update Briefing Asia Briefing N°129 Dili/Jakarta/Brussels, 18 November 2011 Timor-Leste’s Veterans: An Unfinished Struggle? not solved the problem. Judgment on difficult cases has I. OVERVIEW been deferred based on a belief that fraudulent claims will be revealed through denunciation once the lists are pub- More than ten years after the formation of Timor-Leste’s lished. Even with the option to appeal, new discontent is army and the demobilisation of the guerrilla force that being created that will require mediation. fought for independence, the struggle continues about how to pay tribute to the veterans. The increasingly wealthy state Beyond cash benefits, there are two areas where veterans’ has bought off the threat once posed by most dissidents demands for greater influence will have to be checked. The with an expensive cash benefits scheme and succeeded in first is the scope and shape of a proposed veterans’ council, engaging most veterans’ voices in mainstream politics. This whose primary role will be to consult on benefits as well approach has created a heavy financial burden and a com- as to offer a seal of institutional legitimacy. Some veterans plicated process of determining who is eligible that will hope it will be given an advisory dimension, allowing them create new tensions even as it resolves others. A greater to guide government policy and cementing their elite sta- challenge lies in containing pressures to give them dispro- tus. Such a broad role looks unlikely but the illusion that portionate political influence and a formal security role. veterans might be given more influence has likely in- A careful balance will need to be struck between paying creased the government’s appeal in advance of elections homage to heroes while allowing a younger generation of next year.
    [Show full text]
  • EAST TIMOR: REMEMBERING HISTORY the Trial of Xanana Gusmao and a Follow-Up on the Dili Massacre
    April 1993 Vol 5. No.8 EAST TIMOR: REMEMBERING HISTORY The Trial of Xanana Gusmao and a Follow-up on the Dili Massacre I. Introduction.................................................................................................................................. 2 II. Xanana Gusmao and the Charges Against Him ....................................................................... 3 The Charges, 1976-1980................................................................................................................ 3 The June 10, 1980 Attack .............................................................................................................. 4 Peace Talks .................................................................................................................................... 5 The Kraras Massacre ..................................................................................................................... 5 1984 to the Present......................................................................................................................... 6 III. The Xanana Trial......................................................................................................................... 7 Circumstances of Arrest and Detention......................................................................................... 8 Why not subversion? .................................................................................................................... 11 Access to and Adequacy of Legal Defense .................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Update Briefing Asia Briefing N°129 Dili/Jakarta/Brussels, 18 November 2011 Timor-Leste’S Veterans: an Unfinished Struggle?
    Update Briefing Asia Briefing N°129 Dili/Jakarta/Brussels, 18 November 2011 Timor-Leste’s Veterans: An Unfinished Struggle? not solved the problem. Judgment on difficult cases has I. OVERVIEW been deferred based on a belief that fraudulent claims will be revealed through denunciation once the lists are pub- More than ten years after the formation of Timor-Leste’s lished. Even with the option to appeal, new discontent is army and the demobilisation of the guerrilla force that being created that will require mediation. fought for independence, the struggle continues about how to pay tribute to the veterans. The increasingly wealthy state Beyond cash benefits, there are two areas where veterans’ has bought off the threat once posed by most dissidents demands for greater influence will have to be checked. The with an expensive cash benefits scheme and succeeded in first is the scope and shape of a proposed veterans’ council, engaging most veterans’ voices in mainstream politics. This whose primary role will be to consult on benefits as well approach has created a heavy financial burden and a com- as to offer a seal of institutional legitimacy. Some veterans plicated process of determining who is eligible that will hope it will be given an advisory dimension, allowing them create new tensions even as it resolves others. A greater to guide government policy and cementing their elite sta- challenge lies in containing pressures to give them dispro- tus. Such a broad role looks unlikely but the illusion that portionate political influence and a formal security role. veterans might be given more influence has likely in- A careful balance will need to be struck between paying creased the government’s appeal in advance of elections homage to heroes while allowing a younger generation of next year.
    [Show full text]
  • IPRIS Viewpoints
    76 IPRIS Viewpoints SEPTEMBER 2011 Taur Matan Ruak: the first candidate for the 2012 presidential elections in Timor Leste? PAUlo GorjÃO Portuguese Institute of International Relations and Security (IPRIS) On September 2nd, the Chief of General Staff of the Armed his presidential ambitions have the necessary political Forces of Timor Leste, Major-General Taur Matan Ruak, support to succeed. If Matan Ruak decides to run for resigned, claiming that after 36 years in FALINTIL and President it is possible that he might have the support of the F-FDTL, this was the right time “to go back to civilian the main ruling party, the National Congress for Timorese life”.1 On August 20th, the Timorese government had Reconstruction (CNRT), founded by José Alexandre officially disbanded the Armed Forces for the Liberation ‘Xanana’ Gusmão in 2007, as well as from other parties of Timor Leste (FALINTIL), who fought against the close to CNRT, such as the Social Democratic Party Indonesian occupation for more than two decades.2 In a (PSD). So far, Xanana has given no public signal on his way, the demobilization of the FALINTIL marks the end of position regarding Matan Ruak’s presidential ambitions. a cycle and, as such, the resignation of Matan Ruak fits Bearing in mind the men’s good personal relationship, as well in this process. well as the fact that Xanana is not close to Ramos-Horta, Yet, while ending his military career, the decision of it would not be a surprise if Xanana, sooner or later, Matan Ruak could also mark the beginning of his active reveals that he supports Matan Ruak’s presidential bid.
    [Show full text]
  • Contribution by the Government of Timor-Leste
    The International Dialogue on Peacebuilding and Statebuilding Contribution by Timor-Leste March 2010 Contents Section Page List of abbreviations ...................................................................................................................................... 2 1 Executive summary ............................................................................................................................... 3 2 Country context ..................................................................................................................................... 7 3 Findings ............................................................................................................................................... 10 4 Conclusions and recommendations .................................................................................................... 25 Annex A - Methodology .............................................................................................................................. 27 Annex B - List of organisations consulted .................................................................................................. 28 Annex C – References ............................................................................................................................... 29 Annex D - UNTAET laws and regulations .................................................................................................. 31 2 Preface The International Dialogue The Timor-Leste country-level consultation described here
    [Show full text]
  • HISTORY of TIMOR-LESTE Frédéric B
    HISTORY OF TIMOR-LESTE Frédéric B. durand The Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, a former Portuguese colony occupied by Indonesia from 1975 to 1999, became in 2002 the first new sovereign state of the twenty- first century. Its modern nationhood belies its ancient history. Archaeological data found on the island can be traced back at least 42,000 years, beyond most ancient European artifacts. The book provides a readable overview of the history of the country from the first traces of human habitation through Timor-Leste’s independence in May 2002. Structured chronologically, the account begins with the earliest legends and moves quickly and concisely through the defining events that created and shaped the modern nation of Timor-Leste. The text is richly illustrated with over two hundred maps, engravings, and photographs. A detailed historical time line follows the text. About the Author frédéric b. durand is a professor at the University of Toulouse II–Jean Jaurès and a member of the Interdisciplinary Laboratory for Solidarities, Societies and Territories 2016 (LISST-UMR 5193). He has published more than twenty books on the region, including 194 pp., 150 illustrations, 1 figure, East Timor, a Country at the Crossroads of Asia and the Pacific: A Geo-Historical Atlas (2006), 43 maps and in French, a history of Christianity in East and West Timor (2004) and a study of the 15 x 23 cm economic and political perspectives of the country (2008). Paperback THB 550.00 What Others Are Saying ISBN 978 616 215 124 8 “This is a welcome survey of the whole course of Timorese history since the Stone Age, written in accessible and engaging language.
    [Show full text]
  • Masculinities, Violence and Power in Timor Leste
    MASCULINITIES, VIOLENCE AND POWER IN TIMOR LESTE This article sketches some of the manifestations of violent masculinities which were visible in the Timor Leste conflict from 1975 to 1999. While concentrat- ing on Timorese actors, it points out that this does not in any way mean that Timorese men are inherently more violent than others. In fact, the vast majority of the acts of violence during the conflict were committed by members of the occupying Indonesian security forces. After a brief thematic and historical intro- duction, the article examines manifestations of violent masculinities within the pro-independence Falintil guerrilla, the pro-Indonesian militias and the civilian population. As the end of the conflict has not meant an end to, but a “domestication” of violence with extremely high rates of domestic and gender-based sexual vio- lence, the article further examines the impact of the post-conflict situation on violent manifestations of masculinity. Masculinités, la violence et le pouvoir à Timor oriental Cet article esquisse quelques-unes des manifestations violentes de la masculinité qui ont été visibles au cours du conflit de Timor Leste entre 1975 et 1999. Bien que relatif aux acteurs timorais, il ne saurait en aucun cas signifier que les hommes timorais soient fondamentalement plus violents que les autres. En réa- lité, au cours du conflit, la grande majorité des actes de violence ont été com- mis par des membres des forces de sécurité des occupants indonésiens. Après une brève introduction thématique et historique, l’article examine les manifesta- tions violentes de la masculinité entre la guérilla indépendantiste des Falintil, les milices pro-indonésiennes et la population civile.
    [Show full text]
  • Of East Timor and the United Nations Norms on Self-Determination and Aggression
    The "Decolonization" of East Timor and the United Nations Norms on Self-Determination and Aggression Roger S. Clarkt Introduction The island of Timor lies some 400 miles off the northwest coast of Australia, at the tip of the chain of islands forming the Republic of Indonesia. Before World War II, the western half of the island was administered by the Netherlands, the eastern half by Portugal. When Indonesia gained its independence from the Netherlands in 1949, the western half became Indonesian Timor, a part of Indonesia. Portugal continued to administer the eastern half of the island, East Timor, until 1975. East Timor was evacuated by the Portuguese authorities in Au- gust, 1975 during civil disorders condoned, if not fomented by the In- donesians. Within a few months, Indonesia invaded and annexed East Timor. It is estimated that, since 1975, more than 100,000 East Timorese have died from war, famine, and disease. Most of these deaths oc- curred after the Indonesian invasion and occupation. This Article ana- lyzes Indonesia's actions and concludes that they violated international law, specifically the norms regarding self-determination and aggression.' t Professor of Law, Rutgers, the State University School of Law at Camden, N.J. 1. In his syndicated column dated November 8, 1979, Jack Anderson estimated that about half of the 1975 population, which he gave as 600,000, had been "wiped out by war- fare, disease and starvation." Anderson, IslandLosinga Lonely Infamous War, Wash. Post, Nov. 8, 1979, § DC, at 11, col. 4. Most observers would put the number at less, but there is no doubt that the Indonesians perpetrated a massive human tragedy.
    [Show full text]
  • Timor-Leste's Evolving Security Ties with Southeast Asia
    Finding Partners: Timor-Leste’s Evolving Security Ties with Southeast Asia Natalie Sambhi May 2019 he Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste of vulnerability which, coupled with domestic gained its independence in 2002. Since imperatives, shape its strategic outlook. then, the small country has been busy T As Southeast Asian states grow in economic diversifying its foreign relations, building on nascent bonds forged through United Nations and military terms, it makes sense for Timor- missions on its soil since 1999. Amid the Leste to build closer ties with them. China, international flurry, Timor-Leste must contend Japan, the United States and Australia, with a range of pressing domestic issues. The among others, will remain important partners country has only 1.3 million citizens, 74% of for Timor-Leste. However, Southeast Asian whom are under the age of 35.1 Timor-Leste partnerships draw dividends, in both material aspires to become an upper middle income and non-material terms. This essay assesses country by 2030 with healthy and educated the burgeoning relations between Timor- citizens, a diversified economy, high quality Leste and its Southeast Asian partners. The infrastructure and food self-sufficiency.2 first section outlines Timor-Leste’s strategic Timor-Leste’s oil dependence, as well as its outlook and security vulnerabilities as well erratic economic growth, do not bode well for as describing the current state of its defense the secure future the young nation’s leaders capabilities. The second section discusses have described. Its location in-between the reasons for closer Southeast Asian much larger states adds to a further sense engagement and assesses three major bilateral partnerships (Indonesia, Malaysia Natalie Sambhi is a Research Fellow at the Perth USAsia Centre and PhD scholar at the Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, Australian National University.
    [Show full text]
  • The "Decolonization" of East Timor and the United Nations Norms on Self-Determination and Aggression
    The "Decolonization" of East Timor and the United Nations Norms on Self-Determination and Aggression Roger S. Clarkt Introduction The island of Timor lies some 400 miles off the northwest coast of Australia, at the tip of the chain of islands forming the Republic of Indonesia. Before World War II, the western half of the island was administered by the Netherlands, the eastern half by Portugal. When Indonesia gained its independence from the Netherlands in 1949, the western half became Indonesian Timor, a part of Indonesia. Portugal continued to administer the eastern half of the island, East Timor, until 1975. East Timor was evacuated by the Portuguese authorities in Au- gust, 1975 during civil disorders condoned, if not fomented by the In- donesians. Within a few months, Indonesia invaded and annexed East Timor. It is estimated that, since 1975, more than 100,000 East Timorese have died from war, famine, and disease. Most of these deaths oc- curred after the Indonesian invasion and occupation. This Article ana- lyzes Indonesia's actions and concludes that they violated international law, specifically the norms regarding self-determination and aggression.' t Professor of Law, Rutgers, the State University School of Law at Camden, N.J. 1. In his syndicated column dated November 8, 1979, Jack Anderson estimated that about half of the 1975 population, which he gave as 600,000, had been "wiped out by war- fare, disease and starvation." Anderson, IslandLosinga Lonely Infamous War, Wash. Post, Nov. 8, 1979, § DC, at 11, col. 4. Most observers would put the number at less, but there is no doubt that the Indonesians perpetrated a massive human tragedy.
    [Show full text]