Abstract

This chapter examines the unique case of East Timor and its implications for the future of international intervention. Although Indonesia’s claim of sovereignty over East Timor was not recognized by the United Nations and most member states, the international community deemed Indonesia’s consent essential to intervention. The background to intervention in East Timor, Indonesia’s strong resistance to any international security presence in East Timor, the manner in which Indonesia’s consent was induced, and contrasts between the situations in East Timor and Kosovo are discussed.