MS Sri Rahaju Daryatno (South China Morning Post, January 27), recommends that we read an article by Frank Alcorta, published in Darwin last year. This article, she says, gives clear and correct facts about East Timor. Interestingly, Mr Alcorta begins his piece as follows: 'It is clear that Indonesia occupation troops in East Timor are behaving abominably. It is obvious that unless they learn principles of civilised behaviour they will continue to give their country a deservedly bad name.' He goes on, however, to justify the brutal Indonesian invasion on December 7, 1975 (an 'intervention') by referring to the deaths of civilians during the civil war in August. Indonesia, not wanting 'Cuba on their doorstep', had no option but to invade and start killing people themselves. The moral bankruptcy of this reasoning is readily apparent. Meanwhile, the killing continues, civilians are made to 'disappear', the army organises squads of 'ninjas' to terrorise and murder, and Ms Dayaton commends her government for building 'about 793 churches' in East Timor. PETER WESLEY-SMITH Sandy Bay
