From the start, the U.S. offered crucial support for Indonesia’s invasion and quarter century occupation of East Timor. After the 1991 Santa Cruz massacre, Congressional and grassroots activists worked to cut off U.S. military support for Indonesia, despite fierce resistance from the Bush and Clinton administrations and their corporate allies. From 1996 to 1999, however, East Timor’s grassroots supporters had a crucial ally, a State Department official at the U.S. embassy in Jakarta who consistently fought his own government and worked to change U.S. policy in support of the people of East Timor.

Guest:

• Ed McWilliams, former political consul at the US Embassy in Jakarta (1996-1999).