Ramos Horta on the 'winds of change in Asia'
By Rohan Gaiswinkler
DARWIN — 250 people heard Jose Ramos Horta, international representative of the East Timor independence movement, give a public lecture entitled "The winds of change in eastern Asia" on January 24. Horta spoke on many aspects of the struggle for a free East Timor, beginning with an account of the campaign for Bishop Belo to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1996. Belo and Jose Ramos Horta received the prize jointly.
Horta said the responsibility for the East Timor tragedy lay not only with Indonesia but also with Australia and other western countries, including Britain and the US. Portugal could be excused for abandoning East Timor in 1974 because it was hit by internal upheaval, he said.
Horta added that the leaders of East Timor were not free from responsibility for the crisis, telling the audience that in 1974-75, "We were immature and acted irresponsibly" in the events leading to the Indonesian invasion.
Horta predicted that the economic crisis may force the Indonesian government to withdraw its military from East Timor. He explained that the military occupation cost about $30-40 million a year.
The forum was organised by Australians For a Free East Timor.