To: shadowman who wrote (9424 ) 10/26/1999 9:20:00 PM From: Dayuhan Read Replies (2) | Respond to
A journalist friend just came back from doing some time in Indonesia; we had some interesting conversations. Both of us had our Indonesian exposure close to a decade ago, and both of us expected much stronger opposition to the separation of East Timor, especially among the military. I am relieved that it didn't go as I expected, but also curious about why; my friend had some interesting observations. He came back convinced that the Indonesian elite did not resist strongly simply because they have been so thoroughly integrated, economically, with the west. The generals have large amounts of money outside the country; their investments inside the country depend on trade with the west for their viability. They've grown accustomed to prosperity, and can't face the economic results of serious conflict.
