Canberra has long regarded oil and gas-rich East Timor as part of its “sphere of influence,” and has sought to block rival powers, above all Beijing, from establishing closer security ties with the country.
Gusmão’s return as prime minister will see stepped up efforts to pressure the Australian government to back his campaign to construct pipelines from Greater Sunrise to Suai, in Timor’s south.
Ramos-Horta becomes head of state amid an escalating economic crisis wracking the impoverished country, and sharpening geo-strategic tensions in the region fuelled by US imperialism’s preparations for war against China.
The crimes included murder, the mutilation of corpses, and sexual assault and torture of prisoners, including children.
The result reflects bitter infighting within the Timorese ruling elite, as well as escalating hostility among poverty stricken ordinary people towards the entire political establishment.
The vindictive punishment underscores the reality that behind the cloak of “national security” stands the plundering interests of Australian imperialism throughout the Indo-Pacific region.
Lockdown restrictions have been undermined by a series of government decisions aimed at bolstering its political position and promoting business activity.
The disaster still threatens to trigger a wave of dangerous diseases in multiple impoverished communities, including cholera, dysentery, typhoid—and COVID-19.
The closed-door proceedings seek to protect the entire network of spy agencies involved in the escalating US confrontation with China.
The sudden reversal of fortune for Gusmão has raised tensions in Timor’s capital Dili.
A Dili worker told the WSWS: “With the inadequate condition of public hospitals, I fear that the spreading of the virus… could be like a wildfire.”
East Timor’s political and economic crisis is escalating amid the sharpened regional rivalry between China and the US and its ally Australia.
The creation of the new capitalist state did nothing to advance the social interests and democratic rights of the Timorese working class and rural poor.
There is a bipartisan attempt to cover up and protect the operations of the Australian intelligence agencies.
The new government confronts an escalating political and economic crisis, exacerbated by rising geo-political tensions and the efforts of the US and its allies to counter China’s influence.
There were concerns in both Canberra and Washington that Australia’s refusal to abide by international law was opening the door for China to acquire greater influence.
The announcement represents a significant tactical shift by Australian imperialism.
The judgement marks another exposure of Canberra’s contempt for international law and its rank hypocrisy over the resolution of maritime disputes.
While demanding Beijing abides by a recent South China Sea ruling, Canberra has rejected the court’s jurisdiction in its disputes with East Timor in the Timor Sea.
The demonstration was among the largest in East Timor since the former Portuguese colony and Indonesian territory received formal independence in 2002.
