BY PAUL BENEDEK
SYDNEY — The last person you would expect to launch a book on East
Timor would be Gough Whitlam, who was, in 1975, the Australian prime minister
who allowed Indonesia's occupation of that country. So I was surprised
to find old “blood-on-his-hands” the keynote speaker at the launch of Timor
— A nation reborn.
The book is actually a rework of Timor — A stillborn nation,
with some additions, including an epilogue that partially “pardons” Whitlam's
role in the atrocities inflicted on East Timor.
After an hour-long presentation, during which Whitlam defended his actions
and blamed the oppression of the Timorese on Portugal, other Australian
governments (before and after Whitlam's) and even the Timorese themselves,
he allowed questions. I had the following discussion with “the great man”
(as recorded by the ABC's Radio National):
Me — “Do you really believe the Australian government, far stronger
than Indonesia militarily and economically, could have done nothing to
stop the occupation, if it clearly opposed occupation instead of backing
it?”
Whitlam — “Are you suggesting the Australian government should have
sent troops and gone to war with the Indonesians?”
Me — “It wouldn't have gone to war — that's the point. [Prime Minister
John] Howard just sent troops to Timor, and there was no war. The truth
is, Indonesia couldn't have invaded without Australia's blessing.”
During his speech, Whitlam referred to former US secretary of state
Henry Kissinger's statement that the US knew nothing about Timor. I asked
Whitlam if he believed this.
Whitlam — “Well, I read you the quote from Kissinger…”
Me — “Sure, but do you honestly believe the quote?”
Whitlam — “Well, do you believe Kissinger?”
Me — “No — do you?”
Whitlam — “No, I don't either.”
Me — “So why are you quoting in your defence stuff you don't believe?”
I was cut off at this point, but as the final question, an International
Commission of Jurists member asked Whitlam to show some regret or empathy
with the East Timorese. He showed none.
From Green Left Weekly, July 3, 2002.
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