g7+ study on Indonesia and Timor: A Forward Looking Model of Reconciliation

The story of reconciliation between Timor-Leste and Indonesia is remarkable for the process and its success. After gaining independence in 2002, the leadership of Timor-Leste prioritized forgiveness in order to forge a new relationship with its closest neighbor, and to heal the battle scars amongst its own divided community. The process was supported by the Indonesian government, which was bedding in the democratizion of politics and reforming its security institutions. With an international focus on prosecuting individual perpetrators of violence, the leaders of Timor-Leste and Indonesia instead sought a model of reconciliation that was anchored in both peace building and state building.

This research findings brief is based on the preliminary findings of an ongoing study into the reconciliation process between Timor Leste and Indonesia. It is based largely on the first hand accounts of the key leaders at the time, as told to the primary researcher.