As East Timor's Representative to the U.S. and the United Nations, Pinto described how almost all of the member countries refused to commit to voting for a resolution about East Timor without knowing the U.S. position on the issue. Ten resolutions have been passed in the U.N., including two from the Security Council, but no action has been taken. Although Pinto said the situation in East Timor is similar to Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in 1990, the U.S. did not jump to defend East Timor as it did Kuwait. Anthony Arnove, a member of the International Socialist Organization in Providence and the editor of Pinto's book, East Timor's Unfinished Struggle , elaborated on the U.S. role. Although President Bill Clinton cited the events in East Timor as unconscionable during his reelection campaign, he has continued the tradition of supporting dictatorships where the U.S. has economic interests, Arnove said.
Economic interests dominate the way our lives are structured.
Both Arnove and Pinto emphasized that mass-based demonstrations are vitally important. No strategy won't help. Inc. You may not reproduce this material in any form without the permission of The Brown Daily Herald. Contact The Herald if you have any comments or suggestions.