Why thank you. Eclecticism is something I aim for!

Elaine,

Very interesting.

And yes I am the East Timor bore on the blogosphere ~ Elaine

Sounds like the right person for a guest post!

It is – always – the ‘forgotten’ genocide: at least a quarter of its population were killed during the Indonesian invasion and occupation from 1975-1999; use of traditional languages – versions of Tetum or the colonial Portuguese – were excluded from the public spheres of government and education; traditional forms of social organisation and religion were deliberately disrupted by the forced movement of villagers into ‘strategic hamlets’ as part of an attempt to cut off support for Fretilin- the independence movement; its history was ‘rewritten’; the transmigration of Indonesians -along with economic privileges accorded especially to the military – were intended to Indonesianise this former Portuguese colony which had never been part of Indnesia nor never claimed by any Indonesian nationalist movement.

Prior to independence, it was the poorest ‘region in Indonesia’ (in terms of their claim); it was and is the poorest country in Southeast Asia.

Portuguese colonialism and Indonesian occupation left an incredible legacy of mass illiteracy, economic stagnation, and serious health problems.There were no opportunities for ‘capacity building’ — of civic/democratic skills – aside from within the underground student movement and some parts of the independence resistance – and absolutely minimal opportunities for Timorese to gain access to managerial/administrative/economic skills as well.

One cannot overstate the degree of trauma the people suffered under the Indonesian occupation; I have yet to meet a Timorese who did not have a family member, relative, family member, neighbour or acquaitance killed. Many buildings – including churches – and spaces such as Santa Cruz Cemetery still bear the marks of the bullets that struck people down.

The UN claims its time as adminsitrator as a success story — but I do not regard it as such.

Nevertheless – despite these appalling and weak foundations, East Timor has survived and just about begun to progress. There have been appalling riots, serious problems of political maladministration and little economic progress — but it has stepped back from the brink of chaos and deserves our continued support.

It is economically and culturally ‘viable ‘ in the long term. It is exceptionally handicapped by its history, and there is much to criticise but …..

And yes I am the East Timor bore on the blogosphere –but someone has to remember them and remind people : )

What an interesting net you cast. Vampires and Chess Champions! Excellent stuff.