description: The story of the world's newest nation and its incredible struggle to gain independence despite all odds. 'Last Flight out of Dili' is David Scott's remarkable story of East Timor's rise from 'hopeless cause' to freedom, giving us a unique insight into the people and events that have shaped East Timor's recent turbulent history. The book is also a rigorous, fully documented critique of Australian policies over 30 years. Australian humanitarian aid leader David Scott was in Dili on 28 November, 1975 at the swearing in of the cabinet of the Democratic Republic of East Timor. Next day he was ordered to leave by the Australian Government who were aware of the impending large-scale Indonesian invasion. Australia's role in these terrible events is critically documented. He uses personal correspondence with José Ramos-Horta to give immediacy to the story. His use of recently released Australian Government documents adds to the intrigue of these dramatic events. 'Last Flight out of Dili ' is also an account of the hardship, loneliness and dangers that the young José Ramos Horta experienced in his remarkable commitment to keeping East Timor on the United Nations' agenda for 24 years. The foreword is by José Ramos-Horta. David Scott uncovers evidence of Australian complicity in the Indonesian occupation of East Timor and his book is an indictment of the actions of successive Australian governments who abandoned East Timor to years of repression, destruction and mass killings. Why did successive Australian Governments betray the people of East Timor by supporting the Indonesian occupation? And how was it that ordinary Australian people including non government organizations continued through the long years to support the struggle for independence? David Scott answers these questions so that future generations of East Timorese and Australians will know what really happened and why. The book was launched by Nobel Laureate, Jose Ramos-Horta in November 2005.
language: English
title: Last Flight Out of DILI: Memoirs of an Accidental Activist in the Triumph of East Timor
titlecomplete: Last Flight Out of DILI: Memoirs of an Accidental Activist in the Triumph of East Timor
ratings_count: 3
publisher: Pluto Press (Australia)