It often seems that after obtaining independence, some countries fall into political strife which threatens to nullify their freedom and leave citizens worse off than before in terms of both economics and security. The small new country of East Timor, with a population of fewer than 900,000, is suffering stresses and instabilities so serious that many fear for its future.
Some in Jakarta, which sought to annex East Timor when the Portuguese withdrew in disarray in 1975, may be smiling with grim satisfaction at the troubles that have beset the country since its people voted for independence from Indonesia in 1999. Despite a significant aid effort supervised by the UN, the past six years have seen almost continuous violence, with rival political factions battling each other for power in the streets rather than in the ballot box. The genesis of the trouble is partly tribal but it has also been fueled by the disappointment of many poor East Timorese who have seen their living standards and safety deteriorate from the time when the Indonesians were in charge.
It was inevitable that the extraordinarily high expectations that came with independence would be dashed to some degree. Still, the bitter struggle between the ruling Fretilin party of Premier Mari Alkatiri and the internationally respected President Xanana Gusmao has polarized the nation. The violence following the government’s attempt to fire part of the police and army last month resulted in the return of foreign peacekeepers led by the Australians.
Having come under considerable pressure from all parties, Alkatiri agreed yesterday to resign. His valedictory statement that he did not wish to contribute to the climate of instability will be taken by some as long overdue since many place much of the blame for the current troubles firmly at his door.
Alkatiri had initially refused to be swayed by the threat of President Gusmao to quit if his prime minister did not go. It may be that Alkatiri was finally persuaded by the resignation of his foreign minister. In any event, his Fretilin party — which won 55 of the 88 parliamentary seats in 2001 — remains in power and the former premier may be counting on to exert continuing behind-the-scenes influence.
At the core of the political divisions lie the billions of dollars of expected revenues from the Bayu Undan offshore gas field which came on stream two years ago and which is being run by the Australians. The UN believes that it is imperative that this wealth be used to allow the country to create new jobs and industries and establish a proper health and welfare infrastructure. There will be those, however, who are suspicious of the fact that the Australians are leading the present peacekeeping mission. Although logistically, their role makes sense and historically Australia has exercised a benign guardianship over the region, even during the Portuguese occupation, the fact is that it also looks as if Australians are protecting their $100 million investment in Bayu Undan.
