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