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The information about how the imperialists have backed the
Suharto-Indonesian fascists is interesting and important, but not that
mysterious. What is more subtle and interesting, from my point of view, is why
some sections of the ruling class are suddenly appearing to be sympathetic to
the East Timorese. After all, the liberals are the ones who are more likely to
win over the working class to support imperialism.
Here are some ideas. They are NOT based on any specific data, other than
some general scenarios as to how U.S. imperialism has worked in the past. But
these scenarios are not that useful until someone comes up with some more
specific data.
Scenario #1 -- The U.S. wants to keep Suharto in power but thinks that if
he backs down on East Timor, and maybe gives in on some of his holdings, etc.
both the U.S. and Suharto will be able to keep some sort of moderate, pro-U.S.
govt. in power in East Timor, but if the Indonesians are too fascist against
East Timor, it will drive the Timorese towards some other imperialist
power.
Scenario #2 -- The U.S. is pissed off at the Suharto family (kind of like
Marcos of the Phillipines) and would like to replace him with someone less
personally corrupt because the pro-Suharto military might decide to become more
independent of U.S. imperialism on its own.
Scenario #3 -- The U.S. is WORRIED SICK about the possibility that the
Suharto family will be overthrown in Indonesia and some completely unpredictable
group might come to power, perhaps even Islamic fundamentalists who might make
an alliance with Iran, or with political-Islam militants in the Phillippines or
otherwise make big trouble for the U.S. such as happened with the Ayotollah
Khomeni in Iran. So to prevent that uprising, the U.S. is preparing to consider
the Aristide-Mandela-Aquino solution (dump Suharto for a more reliable
pro-imperialist who has some support among the working class) and is therefore
distancing itself (a little--not too much since the pro-Suharto military is
still VERY STRONG--but a little) from the Suharto family -- just in case.
Of course, it can be a combination of these three, since imperialism likes
to bet on all horses. But this is just speculation. Perhaps someone out there
has some more solid information as to why some in the U.S. government and media
seem to be critiquing the pro-Suharto military fascists. (Please don't say
"because they are interested in human rights. Not after Guatemala, etc.
etc.)
Alan Spector
the
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