Letter: Timor cover-up
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: Does cynicism about the Foreign Office's record on East Timor, as expressed by Roger Willott (letter, 30 April), help the East Timorese?
Not unless it leads to action. Perhaps Mr Willott will join me in congratulating Foreign Office Minister Derek Fatchett who, while in East Timor, demanded that the Indonesian military and police prevent the "militias" (which the Indonesian army control) from slaughtering their fellow East Timorese.
Just as important, it has been reported that one purpose of Mr Fatchett's visit to Indonesia and East Timor was to "demand" the truth about the murder in East Timor of the British newsmen Malcolm Rennie and Brian Peters. It was the Australian and British government cover-ups over the murder of those newsmen, and four others, in East Timor in 1975 that allowed President Suharto to conclude that genocide had the West's blessing.
East Timor's nightmare must be ended. Ending it requires an end to the cover-up over the murder of the newsmen. Derek Fatchett appears to be the first British Minister, ever, to comprehend this simple truth - and to start acting on it.
HUGH DOWSON
Western Region Development Officer, United Nations Association UK
Bath
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments