O

strong>Oct. 20, p4

The human rights violations that occurred in Timor Leste, formerly known as East Timor, during the period of 1974 to 1999, when the country was still a part of Indonesia, may no longer be in the spotlight, but the memories remain.

'€œCrimes against humanity and war crimes were committed in Timor Leste, mainly by the ABRI [Indonesian Armed Forces, now known as the Indonesian Military or TNI]. The resistance also committed crimes and war crimes, but far fewer than those committed by the Army,'€ said Pat Walsh, adviser to the Asia Justice and Rights (AJAR) organization.

Your comments:

It'€™s nice to finally see some objective journalism from Indonesia about East Timor.  Perhaps Indonesia is now finally ready to own its past and become a true friend to its neighbors?  It is very good news.

Karl Lehtones

Unfortunately, the East Timorese victims are forgotten and the atrocities perpetrated by the Indonesian Army and the East Timorese militias are deliberately and conveniently brushed under the carpet by the Indonesian and also by the East Timorese governments, lest they incur the wrath of powerful sections in Indonesia and cause many problems for East Timor, which is most dependent on Indonesia economically and destined (or cursed) by geography. That is why neither country or the rest of the world are willing to wake up the ghosts of the past.

Welcome to our new President and Vice President, the honorable Jokowi and Jusuf Kalla! You are our new leaders, you are Indonesians'€™ new hopes! We all hope for a better Indonesia within your tenure. Congratulations. Good luck!

Steve March

The Australian Federal Police have also been urged to hurry up their response to the murder of six Australian journalists at the time of the annexation of East Timor.

Jagera