East Timor’s policy of appeasement towards Indonesia

Some East Timorese leaders express fear that its future economic and political dependence on Australia will increase the country’s vulnerability to Australia’s influence.

The pursuit of trade with members of ASEAN will not only bring economic benefit to East Timor but also create a zone of peace which will, in turn, contribute to peace and stability in the region.

Currently, East Timor is in the process of seeking Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) membership. Since being granted an observer status in ASEAN, the government has taken a number of steps to ensure that the accession of East Timor to the Association of South East Asian Nations is progressing well.

In 2005 East Timor joined the ASEAN regional forum, and subsequently in 2007, East Timor also signed the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in South East Asia, committing itself to non-interference in member states’ internal affairs. In addition, the establishment of diplomatic missions in a number of Asian countries - Malaysia, Bangkok, and Manila - has been pursued rigorously.

Despite all these efforts, admission into ASEAN also poses political challenges for East Timor. When East Timor expressed interest in joining ASEAN in 2002, some member countries expressed reservations. Burma was one of the countries that refused East Timor entry to ASEAN due to East Timor’s close links with the Burmese political opposition leader, Aung San Suu Kyi.

It is, therefore, important for East Timor to rely on member states, notably Indonesia, the Philippines and others, to fully support it. Since the inception of the organisation, Indonesia has been a leading player in ASEAN.

At present, Indonesia is at the forefront of moves to renew ASEAN. Without full support from Indonesia, the admission of East Timor to ASEAN will be proven difficult. The East Timor’s leaders are fully aware that reversing the policy of appeasement towards Indonesia will cause harm to East Timor both politically and economically.