Letter: Hope for Timor
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sir: Diarmid O'Sullivan has produced a most perceptive article ("West tries to halt Timor vote violence", 4 May) about a complex problem which has been compounded by the greed of the West in selling arms which the Indonesians used to crush the East Timorese.
However, where your correspondent is wrong is over the availability and possible deployment of United Nations troops. Australia has East Timor on its doorstep and must be guilt-ridden by the atrocities committed by the Indonesian army. Australia was the only western country to accept Indonesia's "right" to East Timor. Australia has paid dearly for that indiscretion. Its standing in the world has suffered.
It is now doing much in an attempt to restore credibility, so let us hope that United Nations troops, led by the Australians, will be deployed in a troubled country which has suffered in silence far more than all of Yugoslavia.
ROGER WILLOTT
Worcester
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments