740 Chapter 6
235 PORTUGAL/850 INDONESIAMID#1450
Dispute Number: 1450
Date(s): September 7, 1975 to July 27, 1976
Participants: 850 Indonesia/235 Portugal
Outcome (and Settlement): Released (None)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: This dispute occurred in the midst of civil unrest in the Portuguese colony
of East Timor. Throughout the month of August 1975, during the unrest, three Indo-
nesian vessels were anchored off the coast of East Timor. When one landed ashore
on August 27, in order to deliver food and take refugees, the Portuguese authorities
immediately ordered the vessel to leave, which it did promptly, rejoining the other two
vessels off the coast. For the next few months Indonesia and Portugal kept a diplo-
matic correspondence going over how to end the crisis and return East Timor to peace.
As the fighting intensified, however, Indonesia began to take a much more active role
in the peace process and Portugal was unhappy with this role.
On September 17, 1975, Indonesia ordered a large naval fleet to the waters off East
Timor, and Indonesian marines were accused of landing ashore throughout the months
of September and October in order to take refugees. Indonesian forces were accused
of crossing the border into East Timor and attacking Fretilin rebel posts several times
in September. Throughout October, Indonesian forces took the towns of Batugade
and Maliana, and in November, Indonesian forces attacked and bombarded Atabae, and
Dili in early December. Portugal then broke diplomatic relations with Indonesia and
the United Nations issued a decree demanding that Indonesia withdraw its troops
from East Timor. Indonesia replied that troops would be withdrawn once stability
was returned to East Timor. Portugal responded by sending a naval force to maintain
a presence off the coast. It was July 17, 1976, when Indonesia officially merged East
Timor into its territory, and 10 days later on July 27, 23 Portuguese soldiers, along
with 45 nationals were handed over to Portugal on Bali Island.
Coding changes: Start Date changed from August 1975.
235 PORTUGAL/900 AUSTRALIA
MID#1066
Dispute Number: 1066
Date(s): December 17, 1941
Participants: 900 Australia/235 Portugal
Outcome (and Settlement): Released (None)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: Over Portuguese objections, Australian forces occupied the Portuguese
section of East Timor to prevent the Japanese from using it as a base of operations.
Coding changes: End Date changed from December 17, 1941.