We liberated the country... ...now we liberate the people of East Timor
About East Timor
Why East Timor?
East Timor is facing all of the challenges of countries emerging from war in the twenty first century. Shattered by conflict in 1999, it began its existence as a democracy in a land that some said "looked like Hiroshima". 85% of its buildings had been burned, including nearly all schools and all businesses. Virtually all trucks in the country had been stolen by departing troops or deliberately disabled. Buffalo used to work the fields had been stolen or slaughtered. Communication and power lines were destroyed.
Like most conflicts today, the East Timor conflict was never army to army. It was fought in the homes and villages. Every family in East Timor has a horror story. The country emerged as a democracy not only with an infrastructure that had been nearly completely shattered, but a population that had been deeply traumatized.
Recent turmoil in East Timor came about after a split in the miitary, with 600 soldiers going on strike. Their police similarly split. When trouble started, many youth, knowing little else besides violence, joined and escalated the violence. For many, including the large numbers of unemployed youth, the promise of independence has not borne the fruit expected. Unemployment in Dili, East Timor's capital, is 40%.
East Timor's story is not an isolated story. Similar challenges are being faced in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Rwanda and other countries. Holding the peace in these countries is not a matter of putting democratic officials in place and holding an election.
Holding the peace requires attention to the lives of the people damaged by conflict. For these countries to move into the twenty first century, and into a new era of peaceful operation, they must be given hope for a future.
East Timor is, in many ways, a few steps ahead of other countries emerging from conflict. With the help of the United Nations and the international community, many basic elements of the infrastructure have been rebuilt. They have a transparent, working democratic government, with a Nobel Peace Prize winner as Prime Minister.
It is an opportunity to create a model for peace building in the twenty first century. Other factors that lend themselves to such a model include:
- East Timor is a small country, with just under one million population. Programs implemented can show dramatic impact in a relatively short time. This was clearly in evidence when, shortly after Jose Ramos-Horta took the position of Prime Minister and traveled to local neighborhoods and villages, supposed "rebel forces" began to co-operate and turn in their weapons.
- The country has a transparent government structure established in close co-operation with the United Nations and led by two of the most popular figures in the country. Both are strong influences for non-violence in the country.
- The borders of East Timor can be secured against outside influence, arms or incitement to conflict.
- Potential oil revenues in the next five years can bolster vital programs and basic services.
- The necessity of rebuilding the energy systems for the country allows for innovation and alternative energy sources.
- The country has one of the largest unspoiled coral reefs in the world.
- By default, i.e. an inability to afford pesticides, the agricultural environment in East Timor is a largely organic environment.
[ SOURCE :: The Fund for East Timor ]
