Introduction:
The number one priority in Australia's foreign and security policy throughout the 1990's was to build and stabilize a partnership with Indonesia, our most important regional partner and Australia's gateway to the rest of South East Asia. This relationship between Australia and Indonesia was seriously damaged if not destroyed when Australia back flipped on its support of Indonesia and became involved in the fight for an independent East Timor. Since then Australia has pushed forward to rebuild relations with Indonesia as it is still a high priority in Australian government. This paper will go through the lead up to the events regarding the conflict over East Timor and outline the progress in rebuilding the relationship since 1999.
The Australia-Indonesia relationship leading up to the East Timor Intervention:
During Keating's era 1991-1996 Indonesia became the major focus of Australian Foreign policy. Regular visits were made to Indonesia by the Australian Prime Minister which bought about the Agreement on Mutual Security (A.M.S)
Adopted from Image:Timor.png. Names, roads, etc fr...
Português: President José Alexandre Gusmão (rig...
An East Timorese man in traditional attire, includ...in 1995.
In 1997 a Maritime Delimitation Treaty (D.M.T) was signed between Australia and Indonesia. This era was a growing and fruitful period for the relationship of the two countries. At the same time however the differing views within Australia in regards to Indonesia's claims over East Timor put great pressure on the Australian government. The government at the time supported Indonesia in there claim for sovereignty of East Timor. From the Australian public's side there were many people holding the memories of the assistance East Timor gave to Australia during World War II along with the large number of East Timorese refugees who strongly felt the government was going against the things they claim to stand for- liberal democracy and human rights.
Throughout most of the 1990's the Leading Australian parties, firstly Labour (1991-1996) then Liberal (1996-current) put...