The Conflict

In 1999 East Timor erupted in bloodshed following a vote for independence. East Timor had been ruled by Indonesia, and had voted in support of independence. Anti-independence militias attacked the people of East Timor.

Political

• During the Cold War, the West supported Indonesia's takeover of East Timor because of its emerging socialist regime.
• In 1999 the people of East Timor sought, campaigned for and won an election that would grant them independence from Indonesia.

Religious

• Indonesia is predominately Muslim. East Timor is predominately Catholic. The rebels who attacked the East Timorese were Muslims who did not want to see East Timor become independent from Indonesia. There has been some suggestions that the Indonesian army participated in or encouraged the killing.

In August 1999, the people...