BENEFIT WILL HELP TO REPAY EAST TIMOR

In two decades the Timorese lost over 180,000 people while 72 percent of all buildings and homes were burnt down ... we could have prevented that and we didnt which was pretty disappointing.

Former Consul General to East Timor James Dunn

A FORMER Consul General to East Timor James Dunn believes community events like the upcoming East Timor Gala Benefit Dinner to be held at Bellachara in Gerringong are the best way to pay back the debt he believes everyday Australians owe the fledgling country.

Consul General to the then Portugese Timor for three years from 1961, Canberra-based James Dunn has long had a love affair with one of Australias closest neighbours, returning several times since including both the collapses in 1974 and 1998.

I think we owe the wonderful people of East Timor on two counts, he said.

In 1974 I know for a fact that we could have persuaded the Indonesian Government not to invade Timor and we didnt, which turned out to be a real humanitarian disaster.

In two decades the Timorese lost over 180,000 people while 72 percent of all buildings and homes were burnt down by the Indonesian military and militia. We could have prevented that and we didnt which was pretty disappointing.

Secondly in 1942 we withdrew troops from the then Portugese Timor during the war in a decision I still find really distressing. After we left the Japanese slaughtered over 10,000 of the disloyal locals in a heartbeat. I believe we had a responsibility to their people which we let down as the Japanese would not have come to Timor except for the fact that we were there.

Despite the humanitarian disasters which litter East Timors history, Mr Dunn believes the future is beginning to look brighter for country saying nights like the upcoming East Timor Gala Benefit fundraiser at which he is a guest speaker are vitally important.

There are still going to be a number of flare ups like the one we witnessed earlier this year, he said.

At the moment the government is too weak, unemployment rates too high and the people do not have the infrastructure they need to go forward. There is definite potential for another incident at next years elections, however I believe after that period with the support of small communities like Kiama that they can definitely begin to go forward.

The people are fantastic and very friendly and really appreciate the support of towns like Kiama. They are very keen to get things started but they have lacked the institutions.

A fundraiser dinner will be held at Bellachara on Friday, November 3 to raise funds to assist the area.