Q&A: East Timor’s President Ramos-Horta on diplomacy, Gaza, and the West

Al JazeeraCenterEN 8 min read 100% complete by Ali MCDecember 13, 2025 at 12:40 AM

AI Summary

long article 8 min

In an interview marking the 50th anniversary of Indonesia's invasion of East Timor, President Jose Ramos-Horta reflected on his country's history and international diplomacy. As East Timor's foreign minister in 1975, Ramos-Horta sought international recognition at the UN before the invasion. Unable to return home, he spent 24 years in exile, advocating for East Timor's independence and condemning Indonesia's occupation, which led to an estimated 200,000 Timorese deaths. Ramos-Horta's efforts, along with reports of Indonesian atrocities, eventually garnered international attention and a Nobel Peace Prize in 1996. A UN-sponsored referendum ultimately led to East Timor's independence.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

UN ×250% Indonesia ×480% Jose Ramos-Horta ×6100% East Timor ×5100%

Keywords

jose ramos-horta 100% east timor 100% independence 90% indonesian invasion 80% diplomacy 70% united nations 60% asean 50% international community 50% human rights 40% foreign policy 40%