International peacekeepers in East Timor

International peacekeepers in East Timor

The peacekeeping force became a compelling necessity only
because of Indonesia's failure to meet a solemn international
obligation to maintain security in East Timor before, during and
after the plebiscite, brokered at the U.N. in May. It was not an
obligation forced on Indonesia, but one it insisted on assuming
for itself. Indonesia refused the offer of international
peacekeepers to assist in the holding of the plebiscite. Once it
had insisted on taking responsibility for security, Indonesia
could not complain of outside pressure when the world moved to
pick up the pieces after its tragic failure to meet that
responsibility.

Indeed, there is ample evidence of more than a failure to
maintain security. Indonesia stands shamed before the world for
its armed forces' encouragement of, and participation in, the
killings and destruction in East Timor. It plainly felt entitled
to punish the East Timorese people for daring to reject
Indonesian rule.

-- The Sydney Morning Herald