Masters of Terror: Indonesia's Military and Violence in East Timor (World Social Change) [Paperback]

Richard Tanter (Author), Desmond Ball (Author), Gerry Van Klinken (Author), Noam Chomsky (Preface)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0742538346 | ISBN-13: 978-0742538344 | Publication Date: November 2005

The terror campaign by pro-Indonesian armed groups before, during, and after East Timor's independence referendum in 1999 was a blatant challenge to the international community as many of the acts of murder, political intimidation, destruction, and mass deportation took place before the eyes of the world. Yet still the ultimate responsibility has been denied and obscured. Masters of Terror provides an authoritative analysis and documentation of the brutal operations carried out by the Indonesian army and its East Timorese allies. The authors carefully assemble detailed accounts of the actions of the major Indonesian officers and East Timorese militia commanders accused of gross human rights violations. This indispensable work explores a horrific frontal attack on democracy and calls for the establishment of an international tribunal for crimes against humanity in East Timor.

Editorial Reviews

Review

These useful essays . . . analyze the politics of East Timor's human rights disaster . . . . Recommended. (Choice )

About the Author

Richard Tanter is a senior research associate at the Nautilus Institute, Berkeley. Desmond Ball is special professor in the Strategic and Defence Studies Centre at the Australian National University. Gerry van Klinken is a historian of Indonesia who edits the Melbourne-based quarterly Inside Indonesia.

Product Details

• Paperback: 258 pages
• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers (November 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0742538346
• ISBN-13: 978-0742538344
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,494,828 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars state-sponsored atrocities, September 21, 2006

By 

W Boudville (Terra, Sol 3) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Masters of Terror: Indonesia's Military and Violence in East Timor (World Social Change) (Paperback)

Few American readers will be familiar with East Timor. But for 30 years, since Indonesia's invasion and occupation of it in 1975, it has been a constant sore point, both for Indonesia itself and for relations between Indonesia and Australia. The book recaps significant human rights violations (massacres) commited by Indonesian forces against the Timorese. It also includes accounts of the Indonesian military supplying local Timorese factions with weapons and other support. These factions then attacked other Timorese groups on numerous occasions.

Several high ranking Indonesian officers are named, as culpable in instigating bloodshed. The book is an attempt to bear witness against them. Alas, the prospects of these officers being indicted are unlikely. Even under the new Indonesian democracy, the military posseses considerable autonomy from civilian oversight.

The book also shows why in Australia there has been a persistent suspicion of Indonesia's actions. A feeling that perhaps one day Australia's northern regions might fall under Indonesian incursions. The actions of Indonesia's military towards East Timor do not induce good feelings in the region.