Author(s): Clinton Fernandes

History

In 1999 East Timor emerged victorious as an independent nation after a long struggle for liberation from Indonesia. But East Timor's hard-won independence also created a major crisis in Australia's relationship with Indonesia and jeopardised the stability of South-East Asia.

Now the movement for independence has shifted to another part of the Indonesian archipelago, and once again they are looking to Australia for support. As the strength of West Papuan nationalism grows, so does the pressure on our diplomatic relations with Indonesia