DOCSLIB.ORG

Seeing Through Violence: a Theological Understanding of the Relationship

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Seeing Through Violence: a Theological Understanding of the Relationship Australian Catholic University ACU Research Bank Theses Document Types 11-2017 Seeing through violence: a theological understanding of the relationship between East Timor and Australia 1941-1999, in the light of René Girard’s mimetic theory Susan Clare Connelly Follow this and additional works at: https://researchbank.acu.edu.au/theses Recommended Citation Connelly, S. C. (2017). Seeing through violence: a theological understanding of the relationship between East Timor and Australia 1941-1999, in the light of René Girard’s mimetic theory (Thesis, Australian Catholic University). Retrieved from https://doi.org/ 10.4226/66/5b21f776c554f This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Document Types at ACU Research Bank. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses by an authorized administrator of ACU Research Bank. For more information, please contact [email protected]. SEEING THROUGH VIOLENCE A theological understanding of the relationship between East Timor and Australia 1941-1999, in the light of René Girard’s Mimetic Theory Submitted by Susan Clare Connelly M.Ed (Australian Catholic University) A thesis submitted in total fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Australian Catholic University Faculty of Theology and Philosophy Research Services Tenison Woods House 8-20 Napier Street, North Sydney NSW 2600 3 November 2017 DECLARATION This thesis contains no material published elsewhere or extracted in whole or in part from a thesis by which I have qualified for or been awarded another degree or diploma. No parts of this dissertation have been submitted towards the award of any other degree or diploma in any other tertiary institution. No other person's work has been used without due acknowledgement in the main text of the dissertation. Signed: [Redacted] Susan Connelly RSJ Date: 1 November, 2017 i PREFACE This dissertation is the result of my interest in the people of East Timor (Timor-Leste) with whom I worked in a variety of situations for over twenty years. It is an attempt to come to terms with the history of a people with whom my own nation, Australia, was deeply involved. My Religious Congregation, the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart, allowed me the time and resources to undertake this study, and I thank them sincerely. My principal supervisor, Dr Joel Hodge, has accompanied me with courtesy, diligence and a deep appreciation of René Girard, whose insights have enriched our shared Catholic faith. I am grateful to Dr Hodge for his steady supervision and guidance, his understanding of the Timorese people, and his suggestions and contributions to this work. Dr Terry Veling has been most supportive as my second supervisor and I am grateful for his questions and encouragement. The Sisters in my religious community at Lakemba have provided me with stimulating conversation and questions that have heightened for me the extraordinary contribution to the world that René Girard made. I thank them for their companionship and prayer, shared agony for justice, and openness to the influence of Girard's insights. I thank the Australian Catholic University and its agencies, particularly the library and librarians, for all the help I have received. I am deeply grateful to have had the opportunity to study, and to study at that Institution. ii TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION PREFACE TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................ 1 Focus of the Inquiry .............................................................................................................. 4 The Relationship ................................................................................................................... 6 East Timor and Australia ..................................................................................................... 6 Identity and Action .............................................................................................................. 7 History of the relationship .................................................................................................... 9 World War II ..................................................................................................................... 10 The Indonesian invasion .................................................................................................... 11 The Occupation ................................................................................................................. 12 The Scapegoat ................................................................................................................... 17 Texts of Persecution .......................................................................................................... 20 Conversion ......................................................................................................................... 21 Conclusion ........................................................................................................................... 24 SECTION ONE AUSTRALIA, MIMETIC THEORY AND THE SCAPEGOAT Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 25 CHAPTER ONE: AUSTRALIAN IDENTITY AND RELATIONSHIPS Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 26 Values, Self-Perceptions and Contradictions ................................................................... 27 Relationships ....................................................................................................................... 34 Indigenous Peoples ............................................................................................................ 34 Britain ................................................................................................................................ 39 United States of America .................................................................................................. 42 Asia .................................................................................................................................... 43 Engagement with Asia ....................................................................................................... 46 Indonesia ........................................................................................................................... 48 Popular perceptions and policy regarding Indonesia ........................................................ 50 East Timor ........................................................................................................................... 52 Conclusion ........................................................................................................................... 55 iii CHAPTER TWO: MIMETIC THEORY Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 56 Mimesis ................................................................................................................................ 56 Imitative desire .................................................................................................................. 56 Rivalry and conflict ........................................................................................................... 57 Metaphysical desire ........................................................................................................... 58 External and internal mediation ........................................................................................ 59 From Romantic Lie to Novelistic Truth ............................................................................ 61 Existential downfall ........................................................................................................... 67 Scapegoating ........................................................................................................................ 70 Features of Scapegoating .................................................................................................... 74 Unconsciousness and unanimity ....................................................................................... 74 Marginality and credibility ................................................................................................ 76 Myth ..................................................................................................................................... 77 From Myth to Jewish Scriptures ....................................................................................... 79 From Myth to Gospel ........................................................................................................ 81 Texts of Persecution ............................................................................................................ 84 Conversion ........................................................................................................................... 86 Theological Criticism of Girard's theses ........................................................................... 88 Conclusion ........................................................................................................................... 91 CHAPTER THREE: THE VICTIM INTERPRETS HISTORY Introduction ........................................................................................................................
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Failed Humanitarian Intervention in East Timor Written by Katherine Green
    Failed Humanitarian Intervention in East Timor Written by Katherine Green This PDF is auto-generated for reference only. As such, it may contain some conversion errors and/or missing information. For all formal use please refer to the official version on the website, as linked below. Failed Humanitarian Intervention in East Timor https://www.e-ir.info/2012/04/06/failed-humanitarian-intervention-in-east-timor/ KATHERINE GREEN, APR 6 2012 Failed Humanitarian Intervention in East Timor: A Bottom-up Hypothesis The two decades since the end of the Cold War witnessed a new generation of warfare, which in turn gave rise to the parallel evolution of two diametric paradigms—ethnic conflict, and its consequential international response, humanitarian intervention. The hope for peace and prosperity in a post ideological war era met its rapid demise in the first half of the 1990s, in which ethnic conflicts in Africa and the Balkans galvanized some of the worst human rights abuses and atrocities. After a near decade of heavily criticized international peacekeeping, the United Nations—UN—set its sights on the conflict in the Malay Archipelago region. The UN response to the Indonesian- Timorese conflict provided a world stage for the vindication and reconciliation of humanitarian intervention. A strategic and logistical approach requiring a robust and substantive peacekeeping operation as administered by the international community had yet to come to fruition. Although East Timor eventually gained independence in 2002, it was the deplorable failure to mitigate escalating ethnic tensions in the summer of 1999 that ultimately demonstrated, yet again, the United Nations’ self-limiting culture—a failure that precipitated extreme violence against the East Timorese peoples.
    [Show full text]
  • AIIA National Conference Program 2018
    Australian Foreign Policy: Making the World Work Hotel Realm, Canberra Monday 15 October 2018 #AIIA18 The Australian Institute of International Affairs is an independent national organisation dedicated to promoting greater understanding of international issues since 1924 internationalaffairs.org.au Monday 15 October 08.00-09.00 Registration 9:00-10:45 Australian Foreign Policy Senator the Hon Marise Payne, Minister for Foreign Affairs Senator the Hon Penny Wong, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs Allan Gyngell AO FAIIA, National President of the Australian Institute of International Affairs Zara Kimpton OAM, National Vice-President, Australian Institute of Chair International Affairs 10:45-11:15 Morning Tea 11:15-12:45 Enhancing Australia’s Prosperity Dr John Edwards, Adjunct Professor, John Curtin Institute of Public Policy and Fellow, Lowy Institute Penny Burtt, Group CEO, Asialink Fiona Simson, President, National Farmers Federation Professor Mark Beeson, Professor at the University of Western Australia and Research Chair, Australian Institute of International Affairs Tom Rayner, Director, Deloitte Risk Advisory and National Treasurer, Chair Australian Institute of International Affairs 12:45-1:30 Lunch 1:30-3:00 Strengthening Australia’s Security Professor Rory Medcalf, Head of the National Security College, Australian National University 1 Dr Elsina Wainwright AM, Senior Fellow, US Studies Centre, University of Sydney and Non-Resident Fellow, Center on International Cooperation, New York University Dr Rebecca Strating, Department
    [Show full text]
  • New Books January – June 2021 Our Team
    The discussion starts here NEW BOOKS JANUARY – JUNE 2021 OUR TEAM Greg Bain, Acting Director [email protected] Sarah Cannon, Senior Marketing Coordinator [email protected] New and forthcoming books 2 Joanne Mullins, Coordinator [email protected] Award winners and shortlisters 22 Les Thomas, Designer Recent highlights 24 [email protected] Sam van der Plank, Publishing Officer Backlist 25 [email protected] How to order and distributors 37 About our eBooks and open access books 37 Monash University Publishing Monash University Level 2, Matheson Library Annexe 44 Exhibition Walk, Clayton Campus Wellington Road Clayton VIC 3168, Australia +6 13 9905 0590 [email protected] www.publishing.monash.edu Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn CONTENTS New and forthcoming books 2 Award winners and shortlisters 22 Recent highlights 24 Backlist 25 How to order and distributors 37 About our eBooks and open access books 37 NEW AND FORTHCOMING BOOKS EVE LANGLEY AND THE PEA PICKERS By Helen Vines ‘Eve Langley’s strange story, its secrets and silences, has baffled many literary sleuths’ Brenda Niall ‘Such skilful literary detective work into one of Australia’s most astonishing and misunderstood writers’ Cathy Perkins Autobiography or fiction? This question has shadowed the work of enigmatic Australian author Eve Langley since her first novel, The Pea Pickers, was published in 1942. Almost immediately after, Eve was committed to a mental asylum in Auckland where she remained for more than seven years, separated from her three RRP: AUD/US $34.95 | May 2021 young children. Hailed as a tour de force, The Pea ISBN (paperback): 9781922464392 Pickers was based on Eve’s real-life experiences in the 1920s and tells the story of two feisty sisters who wander the Australian countryside dressed as men magazine and she co-authored seeking work and adventure.
    [Show full text]
  • Origins of the Royal Commission on Intelligence and Security
    Origins of the Royal Commission on Intelligence and Security CJ Coventry LLB BA A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts (Research) School of Humanities and Social Sciences UNSW Canberra at ADFA 2018 i Table of Contents Acknowledgements iii Introduction & Methodology 1 Part I: ASIO before Whitlam 9 Chapter One: The creation of ASIO 9 Chapter Two: Bipartisan anti-communism 23 Chapter Three: ASIO’s anti-radicalism, 1950-1972 44 Part II: Perspectives on the Royal Commission 73 Chapter Four: Scholarly perspectives on the Royal Commission 73 Chapter Five: Contemporary perspectives on ASIO and an inquiry 90 Part III: The decision to reform 118 Chapter Six: Labor and terrorism 118 Chapter Seven: The decision and announcement 154 Part IV: The Royal Commission 170 Chapter Eight: Findings and recommendations 170 Conclusion 188 Bibliography 193 ii Acknowledgements & Dedication I dedicate this thesis to Rebecca and our burgeoning menagerie. Most prominently of all I wish to thank Rebecca Coventry who has been integral to the writing of this thesis. Together we seek knowledge, not assumption, challenge, not complacency. For their help in entering academia I thank Yunari Heinz, Anne-Marie Elijah, Paul Babie, the ANU Careers advisors, Clinton Fernandes and Nick Xenophon. While writing this thesis I received help from a number of people. I acknowledge the help of Lindy Edwards, Toni Erskine, Clinton Fernandes, Ned Dobos, Ruhul Sarkar, Laura Poole-Warren, Kylie Madden, Julia Lines, Craig Stockings, Deane-Peter
    [Show full text]
  • Clinton Fernandes Defended
    PM 4 Fmr intelligence oficer says ASIO raid legitimate national sec ri... http://www.abc.net.a /pm/content/2013/s3A050C8.htm PM with Mark Colvin Monday to Friday from 6:10pm on ABC Local Radio and 5:00pm on Radio National . Fmr intelligence officer says ASIO raid legitimate national security action Mark Colvin reported this story on Wednesday, December 4, 2013 18:22:00 MARK COLVIN: Dr Clinton Fernandes is a former intelligence oficer with the A stralian Army who teaches on intelligence matters at the University of New So th Wales' Canberra fac lty. I as)ed him irst abo t George Brandis' ass rances that material sei,ed in the raids wo ld not be sed against East .imor in the /ag e co rt case. CLIN.ON FERNANDES: ASIO 0A stralian Sec rity Intelligence Organisation1 is very reliable and very believable when they say that they weren't trying to impede the international arbitration between A stralia and East .imor. I believe their motives were solely related to defending A stralia's national sec rity beca se they wanted to ma)e s re that if the afidavits that Mr Collaery was going to be sing contained the name of any A stralian Secret Intelligence Service agent, well, they'd need advance warning so they co ld ta)e co nter4meas res. .here were very legitimate reasons for yesterday's raid. MARK COLVIN: B t what abo t cancelling the former ASIS 0A stralian Secret Intelligence Service1 agent's passport5 Isn't that bo nd to impede East .imor's case if that person was going to give evidence in .he /ag e5 CLIN.ON FERNANDES: I thin) that person wo ld already have made a sworn statement, a formal legal deposition, to ens re that the case co ld go ahead regardless of whether he was in .he /ag e or not.
    [Show full text]
  • Australian/Indonesian Foreign Relations
    Library resources WithOnePlanet Citizenship reference material > Page: 1 of 2 Australian/Indonesian foreign relations Source: Clinton Fernandes, Associate Professor, International and Political Studies Program, UNSW Australia | February 2015 Australia supported Indonesia’s independence after January 1978, followed by de jure recognition with World War II despite the objections of the Dutch the opening of negotiations on the seabed boundary and the displeasure of the British and the United in the Timor Gap in February 1979. States governments. When the Dutch used force against the independence movement, the Australian When the ALP was re-elected in 1983 and Bob Hawke government eventually referred the matter to the became Prime Minister of Australia, he continued the United Nations Security Council as a “breach of Fraser government’s negotiations with Indonesia on the peace” under Article 39 of the UN Charter. So the seabed boundary in the Timor Gap, eventually deeply did the Indonesian nationalists appreciate signing the Timor Gap Treaty in December 1989. this support that they nominated Australia as Hawke’s successor, Paul Keating (Prime Minister their representative on the United Nations Good from 1991-1996), continued in this vein, pursuing Offices Committee. Indonesia’s foreign minister, Dr closer ties with the Indonesian military. Keating Subandrio, described Australia as the “mid-wife” of the and his foreign minister Gareth Evans accelerated Indonesian Republic. Australia’s links with the Suharto regime on the basis of maintaining “order” and “stability.” Under their Australian governments consistently supported stewardship, Australia carried out more military the Indonesian occupation of East Timor. Foreign exercises with Indonesia than with any other country.
    [Show full text]
  • AIIA National Conference 2018 – Outcomes Report
    National Conference 2018 Australian Foreign Policy: Making the World Work Outcomes Report The Australian Institute of International Affairs is an independent national organisation dedicated to promoting greater understanding of international issues since 1924 1 internationalaffairs.org.au National Conference 2018 Australian Foreign Policy: Making the World Work The AIIA National Conference 2018 was a remarkable success with prominent expert speakers, provocative and engaging debate and unprecedented media coverage. Highlights o Near-record participation with more than 370 attendees o High levels of youth engagement with more than 130 students and young professionals attending the conference and Masterclass program o Extraordinary coverage of the conference in mainstream and social media, with #AIIA18 becoming the 5th most popular topic on Twitter Australia-wide and a national trending topic over two days o Engaging speeches and discussion led by prominent figures and experts o Excellent feedback from conference attendees, including an overall quality rating of 4.5 out of 5 o Successful Masterclass program held at the Department of Foreign Affairs, which provided a chance for young professionals and students to engage in personal and intimate discussion with the Fellows of the AIIA Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Marise Payne 2 Speakers Australian Foreign Policy • Senator the Hon Marise Payne, Minister for Foreign Affairs • Senator the Hon Penny Wong, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs • Allan Gyngell AO FAIIA, National
    [Show full text]
  • Frontiers in International Environmental Law: Oceans
    chapter 2 Water and Soil, Blood and Oil Demarcating the Frontiers of Australia, Indonesia and Timor- Leste David Dixon 1 Frontiers, Borders and Boundaries This chapter explores frontiers as political and economic constructs, focusing on the contested borders and boundaries of Timor-Leste.* At its centre is a dispute about the maritime boundary between Timor-Leste and Australia in which access to hydrocarbon resources in the Timor Sea has been at stake. In 2018, Timor- Leste and Australia signed a Treaty ‘to settle finally their mari- time boundaries in the Timor Sea’ (2018 Treaty).1 Despite considerable mutual self- congratulation,2 this treaty does not finalise the boundary (instead cre- ating an anomalous and temporary enclave to accommodate Australia’s eco- nomic interests). Nor does it deal conclusively with the crucial question of who should extract oil and gas or where processing should be carried out: it could not do so, for these decisions are ultimately not for nation states but for international corporations. To them, frontiers are less about pride and security than about opportunities and obstacles. This indicates a broader theme: bor- ders and boundaries may be products not of the rational application of legal principles, but rather of political (often symbolic) concerns about sovereignty and of pragmatic, economic interests in resources allocated to states by fron- tier delineations. * Acknowledgements: This paper is written in tribute to David Freestone, a friend and for- mer colleague who has taught me much, not least the importance of academic integrity and commitment. As well as thanking David, I acknowledge Richard Barnes, Clinton Fernandes, Patrick Earle, José Ramos-Horta and the extraordinary people at Laˊo Hamutuk and Timor- Leste’s Marine Boundary Office.
    [Show full text]
  • A STUDY GUIDE by Robert Lewis and Katy Marriner
    A STUDY GUIDE by RobeRt Lewis And KAty MARRineR http://www.metromagazine.com.au http://www.theeducationshop.com.au CURRICULUM APPLICABILITY Balibo could be a useful resource for senior students in Politics and Interna- tional Studies, raising as it does foreign Overview policy issues – was Australia justified in allowing Indonesia to invade, or should Australia have supported East Timorese independence, and alienated our major alibo (Robert Connolly, 2009) is Cunningham and Tony Stewart, and neighbour while possibly also having an unstable and radical state on our a powerful fictionalised version Channel Nine’s Brian Peters and Mal- doorstep. Bof the true story of the murder colm Rennie. All five had last been seen of five Australian-based journalists in filming news reports in the small town It also raises historical issues about our Balibo, East Timor, in 1975 during the of Balibo. relationship with and obligations to the invasion by Indonesia, and the death East Timorese, many of whom were cre- ados (helpers and guides) of Australian of a sixth journalist, Roger East, who East does not accept the official story troops fighting the Japanese during the discovered the truth about the killings. that the men were killed in crossfire. As war, and who suffered and even died to Balibo is 111 minutes and is rated M. his determination to uncover the truth protect Australians. intensifies, he and Horta undertake It raises issues that can be explored The story is introduced through the the perilous journey through the rough as part of Civics and Citizenship – the experience of the character Juliana Da country from Dili to Balibo, terrain now obligation of the state to be honest with Costa.
    [Show full text]
  • All Quiet in the Ranks an Exploration of Dissent in Australia’S Security Agencies
    THE AUSTRALIA INSTITUTE All Quiet in the Ranks An exploration of dissent in Australia’s security agencies Andrew Wilkie Discussion Paper Number 92 November 2006 ISSN 1322-5421 ii © The Australia Institute. This work is copyright. It may be reproduced in whole or in part for study or training purposes only with the written permission of The Australia Institute. Such use must not be for the purposes of sale or commercial exploitation. Subject to the Copyright Act 1968, reproduction, storage in a retrieval system or transmission in any form by any means of any part of the work other than for the purposes above is not permitted without written permission. Requests and inquiries should be directed to The Australia Institute. The Australia Institute iii Table of contents Table of contents iii Glossary iv About the author v Acknowledgments vi Summary vii 1. Introduction 1 2. Current situation 5 2.1 Misshaped workforce 5 2.2 Skewed legislative framework 7 2.3 Bullying tactics 9 2.4 Softening oversight regime 9 2.5 Media little help 13 2.6 Public indifference 13 3. Consequences 16 3.1 Australia vulnerable 16 3.2 Policy departments beyond scrutiny 17 3.3 Intelligence failures 18 4. The human dimension 21 4.1 Taking a stand 21 4.2 Case studies 24 4.3 Australian Public dis-Service 27 4.4 UK and US no better 29 4.5 My story 31 4.6 Choosing between right and wrong 33 5. Solutions 35 5.1 Encourage independent minds and voices 35 5.2 Encourage public service 36 5.3 Enact whistleblower legislation 37 5.4 Strengthen the oversight regime 38 6.
    [Show full text]
  • UNSW Mphil Thesis
    Pritchett’s prediction: Australian foreign policy toward Indonesia’s incorporation of East Timor, 1974-1999. Miranda Alice Booth A thesis in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy School of Humanities and Social Sciences CANBERRA 2017 Table of Contents CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION 4 1.1 Introduction 4 1.2 Argument of the thesis 10 1.3 Materials and methodology 13 1.4 Literature review 15 1.5 Structure of the thesis 18 CHAPTER 2: AUSTRALIAN FOREIGN POLICY, 1974-1983 20 2.1 The Whitlam Government and Indonesia’s incorporation of Timor, 1974- 75 20 2.2 Pritchett’s challenge 32 2.3 The Balibo Five 37 2.4 The Fraser Government and Indonesia’s invasion of Timor, December 1975-April 1976 41 2.5 Australian foreign policy and public opinion, April 1976 – April 1979 47 2.6 Australia’s recognition of Indonesian sovereignty in Timor 51 CHAPTER 3: AUSTRALIAN FOREIGN POLICY, 1983 – 1996 58 3.1 The 1983 cabinet decision 58 3.2 The Parliamentary Delegation to Timor 61 3.3 Recognising Indonesian sovereignty in Timor 64 3.4 The Santa Cruz massacre 66 3.5 The Keating Government’s foreign policy after Santa Cruz 72 3.6 Australian solidarity after Santa Cruz 77 3.7 Australian foreign policy and public opinion after Santa Cruz 78 CHAPTER 4: AUSTRALIAN FOREIGN POLICY, 1996 – 1999 83 4.1 The Howard Government’s first term, 1996 – 1998 84 4.2 Jakarta’s ‘foreign ally’ 87 4.3 Australian foreign policy and public opinion, 1998 - 1999 88 4.4 Containing international pressure 97 2 4.5 ‘Scorched Earth’ 100 4.6 The solidarity movement in action
    [Show full text]
  • Investigating Operational Incidents in a Military Context: Law, Justice, Politics
    ANU College of Law Building 5, Fellows Road The Australian National University Canberra ACT 0200 Australia T: +61 2 6125 1096 W: law.anu.edu.au INVESTIGATING OPERATIONAL INCIDENTS IN A MILITARY CONTEXT: LAW, JUSTICE, POLITICS 28 – 29 AUGUST 2012 Centre for Security School of Humanities International Law & Military Law & Social Sciences Department ANU College of UNSW Canberra US Naval War College Law Investigating Operational Incidents in a Military Context: Law, Justice, Politics 28 – 29 August 2012 The Australian National University l Canberra l Australia Hosted by the Centre for Security & Military Law l ANU College of Law School of Humanities & Social Sciences l UNSW Canberra International Law Department l US Naval War College general information 1 Conference Venue The Hall University House The Australian National University Canberra ACT AUSTRALIA T: +61 (2) 6125 5211 E: [email protected] Conference Contacts Associate Professor Rob McLaughlin Director, Centre for Security & Military Law ANU College of Law The Australian National University E: [email protected] Professor David Lovell Head, School of Humanities & Social Sciences University of New South Wales Canberra E: [email protected] Administrative matters Christine Debono Manager, COAST ANU College of Law The Australian National University ACT 0200 AUSTRALIA After-hours contact M: 0413 665 698 T: +61 (2) 6125 2906 E: [email protected] Internet Access Internet access is available at University House for conference registrants. Please see staff at the registration
    [Show full text]