"Ever since the day I first landed in Dili in an RAF Hercules, on a rainy December day in 2000, ever since I sat and listened to my East Timorese friends recount their harrowing experiences under the Indonesian occupation, ever since I realised that the most horrifying genocide of my time had occurred right under my nose and I did not pay attention,..."Dear ETLJB Readers
I have long neglected this page in favour of Facebook. Facebook permitted sharing of any East Timor-related online material and is much easier to use. And there were more than 4000 followers on the facebook page but very little online interaction there. So it has been deleted.
The privacy invasions and waivers that we have to give to corporations like Facebook, who serve no good social purpose, are too much of a compromise of our dignity and I've decided that that kind of thing is most unsuitable for what I seek to achieve.
Instead, this ETLJB blog page will be reactivated.
I have held a rather intense interest in East Timor since I was part of UNTAET and spent almost 5 years living and working in Dili with some travel to the Districts.
My experience of East Timor was transformational and profound. It gave my life a meaning that I had never anticipated and set my working life on a path that was never planned.
Of course, I regret none of that.
Ever since the day I first landed in Dili in an RAF Hercules, on a rainy December day in 2000, ever since I sat and listened to my East Timorese friends recount their harrowing experiences under the Indonesian occupation, ever since I realised that the most horrifying genocide of my time had occurred right under my nose and I did not pay attention, my intellectual and personal considerations of this small nation of brave people, burdened by the unimaginable terror of the genocide, inspired me like nothing else.
When I realised the dramatic transformation of the revolution and the countless sacrifices made by so many East Timorese, I was astonished. I remain astonished to this day, if not stronger than ever before.
The East Timorese people have taught the world a great lesson and their legacy will endure forever.
Warren L. Wright BA LLB
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