ABSTRACT
As has been argued, the decision to support the movement for self-determination in East Timor that culminated in the INTERFET intervention in the territory in September 1999 was undoubtedly the most significant foreign policy innovation of the John Howard coalition government in Australia. It led to the largest commitment of Australian military forces overseas since the Vietnam war, and transformed the nation’s security relationship with its largest neighbour, Indonesia. As a result, the foundation was laid for a defence and development relationship with East Timor which is bound to continue well into the new century and that has already had important security implications for regional order.
