Indonesia and East Timor

* Re “Don’t Rule Out Use of U.S. Troops as an Option in Indonesia,” by Tom Plate, Commentary, Aug. 18: The U.S. government helped the Indonesian government to kill about 200,000 people in East Timor. The U.S. government has less than zero moral credibility regarding human rights in East Timor. They call it internationalism, but it smells like old-fashioned imperialism.

MIKE MADRID

Lomita

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Had the U.S. and Australian governments tried to discourage Indonesia from invading and occupying East Timor 24 years ago, we would not need to be discussing the use of troops in East Timor now.

However, the current situation does demand this discussion. The Indonesian military and government are actively arming and directing armed pro-integration militias who have killed hundreds of pro-independence supporters and created up to 60,000 internal refugees. Furthermore, the military and militias are threatening more bloodshed and war if the East Timorese do not choose to be an autonomous part of Indonesia in the Aug. 30 referendum.

The U.S. and Australia share a shameful history of complicity with the Indonesian government’s invasion and occupation of East Timor. Two hundred thousand dead East Timorese later, these governments have an opportunity to do the right thing. Let’s hope they finally take it.

ROBERT FRANG

Santa Monica