United States Suspends Military Sales during the East Timor Crisis

East Timor had a different colonial history from the former Dutch East Indies. It remained under Portuguese administration until 1975 and was incorporated by Indonesia in 1976, despite international support for Timorese self determination. Years of diplomacy preceded the 1999 ballot. The United Nations appointed Pakistani diplomat Jamsheed Marker as its representative in 1997, and negotiations with Indonesia and Portugal produced the agreement governing the vote. [1]

Bill Clinton announced in Auckland on 11 September 1999 that the United States had suspended military sales to Indonesia. Militias backed by Indonesian forces were attacking communities in East Timor and driving people from their homes after a UN organised ballot rejected autonomy within Indonesia. [2] [1]

The vote had taken place on 30 August under an agreement that made Indonesia responsible for security. Violence after the result threatened the transition that Jakarta had undertaken to protect. Clinton called on the Indonesian government to end the bloodshed and accept international assistance, using the suspension of military sales to add to the international pressure. [1] [2]

President B. J. Habibie agreed on 12 September to admit an international force. The UN Security Council authorised INTERFET three days later, and the first troops landed in Dili on 20 September under Australian command. [1]

The international force's tasks were to restore security, protect and support the United Nations mission, and assist humanitarian operations. [2] [1]

Related Diplomats

1. Dorodjatun Kuntjoro-Jakti [3] [4]

Related Reading

• Indonesia and the United States