East Timor independence: a short history of a long and brutal struggle скачать в хорошем качестве

East Timor independence: a short history of a long and brutal struggle

After nearly 300 years of colonial rule, Portugal withdrew from East Timor in 1975, sparking a bitter rivalry between local groups that ended in Fretilin forces declaring East Timor independent. Indonesia invaded nine days later, beginning an brutal regime of occupation that would last until 1999. More than 200,000 East Timorese died and many more suffered during massacres, torture and starvation. In the 1990s, a combination of the independence movement gaining strength, growing worldwide pressure and political reform in Indonesia led to a UN-sponsored referendum on independence on 30 August 1999.  The historic ballot saw 78% of East Timorese vote for independence. Indonesian-backed militias responded by unleashing a wave of terror with attacks on civilians, looting and burning of homes until an Australian-led peacekeeping force arrived in late September 1999.  • East Timor: Indonesia's invasion and the long road to independence • Paul Daley: Australia cast itself as the hero of East Timor. But it was US military might that got troops in