re: the source of timorese anger
longhair, interesting post. However I disagree with you on a couple of points. Regarding the 1975 annexation, Indonesia claim to sovereignity over East Timor are not really true. East Timor was never part of the Dutch East Indies, and Indonesia's ambitions were only ever to reunite that original empire. However East Timor was made an exception due to the regional security situation in 1975 with the loss of Indo-China to the communists. You must not underestimate the influence and involvement of both the USA and Britain in pushing for East Timor to be incorporated into Indonesia. Those following events from within the region at the time were aware of what was happening, and classified documents released in more recent years also confirm their involvement. With regards to Habibi, I would not charge him as being corrupt, incompetent would be a better description. He was never a politician. He was a competent engineer who had made a career within the aircraft industry in Germany and was personally asked by Suharto to return to Indonesia in the 1970's to oversee Indonesia's plan to upgrade their technical capabilities, including a move into aircraft manufacturing. His first job was to oversee the building of Batam island into Indonesia's version of Singapore. He really was not successful with many stops and starts as he tried to get it off the ground. Ironically, the vison only took off years later when Singapore upgraded their skills and forced labour intensive industries offshore with most moving next door to Batam and Johore. When Suharto stepped down in 1998, luckless Habibi just happened to be the Vice President. Over the years Suharto who had always surrounded himself with competent people, but also sidelined anyone who was considered a viable successor, had in recent years turned increasingly to people who were more trusted than competent. Suharto never envisaged that he would be stepping down and that Habibi would become President. There were a number of powerful people who had ambitions to become President, the Presidents son-in law Prabowo probably the most ambitious. However Suharto was wise enough to shut him out, which he did by appointing his trusted friend Habibi who was a danger to no-one. It is little known that within hours of Habibi becoming President he was visted by an armed Prabowo who wanted Habibi to appoint him head of the armed forces. Prabowo had been disarmed prior to entering Habibi's chambers, made threats against Habibi and left him visibly shaken by the confrontation. Prabowo was gradually sidelined and went into virtual exile overseas, though he has since returned.
