This story and
its photographs are the copyright of the Australian Department of Defence. Permission to
reproduce may be sought from the Editor, Army Newspaper Unit by contacting armynews@defencenews.gov.au
This story was
filed by Cpl Brian Hartigan from Dili, East Timor and published in ARMY Magazine in March
2000 as a side bar to the story -- TIMOR: Terror and brutality fail
The key to the future
MANY of those who left East Timor will
never return. Those of Indonesian background or those in Indonesian employ before the vote
will probably fear for their safety and so stay away. But with them went the expertise
necessary for running even the simplest of complex modern societies.
Although it has been declared that the rule of law as it stood
before the vote should form the basis of the new system, how can it be policed without a
police force? Who can judge the guilt of even the most pathetic criminal without a
judicial system? And so it is with any and all government departments and structures
— gone — requiring replacement.
The replacement of such government structures will, in time, put
this country back on its feet while at the same time offering many East Timorese increased
opportunities for personal advancement and worthwhile employment. As these people earn and
spend their salaries, so cash will begin to flow through the economy in ever increasing
volume. As the instruments and structure of government return, an economy is born.
The United Nations Transitional Authority for East Timor
(UNTAET) is the world body’s new mission designed and authorised to steer this nation
and its economy through the initial stages.
Under the direction of Sergio Vieira de Mello, UNTAET is laying
the foundations for the country. A basic judicial system is already in place. A Central
Payments Office, forerunner to a central bank, has commenced trading.
The new national police academy has been resurrected from the
old and about to commence training its first batch of recruits. In Dili alone the UN, its
agencies and other non-government organisations employ about 5000 locals in myriad
positions from street cleaners to truck drivers. This figure represents roughly 10 per
cent of the current population of the capital and a huge boost for commercial activity.
Quite aside from UN influence or encouragement, the
people’s need and desire to return to something resembling a normal existence has
boosted the need and opportunities for commerce to recommence on a grand scale. The city
is alive with market and street-side trading. Even in rural areas, roadside farmers and
families are selling everything from bananas to beans, mangoes to maize.
In the end, it will be the resilience and determination of the
East Timorese people to make the most of their new-found freedom that will see this
country blossom.
The children of this new nation will, hopefully, reach out and
touch the hearts of the world as they have touched those lucky enough to play a very small
part in their incredible recovery.