Long time coming some factions would say, but, East Timorese President Xanana Gusmao announced yesterday that he was taking over “sole responsibility” for the country’s national security in a bid to end more than a week of swirling unrest.
Academics I have spoken to have voiced their varying opinions on whether or not Australia should have drawn out their troops after independence was declared. I spoke to one colleague who remarked that Australia is only in there for one thing and that is to protect their stake in the Timor Gap.
Personally, as a fledgling nation I thought Australia would have remained until 2004 to ensure the complete functioning of the new nation. There are far too many want-to-be-presidents in the country. Xanana Gusmao is rightly the only person to lead the country, at least into the next decade. He fought the Indonesian Government forces during the occupation and was jailed for his fight for freedom.
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{ 2 comments }
I think the problem is the prime minister, not the president that everyone loves.
But it seams that all problems will be over soon, cause more portuguese soldiers are arriving, and everyone knows that a portuguese soldier is worth 10 australian ones.
BTW, they are only trying to immitate us after our revolution. It will soon be all gone.
Hi Godhino,
With the Portugese going to Timor Leste, It’ll be like ‘homecoming’ for them.
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