The bloodbath in East Timor, which was predicted by numerous analysts if a peacekeeping force was not in place in advance, has destroyed the Indonesian government’s credibility on the international stage and raised questions about the archipelago’s stability. If IMF bailout funds remain frozen and the economy takes another tumble, discontent could ignite into violence as it did a year ago. Until the situation in East Timor is under control it may be prudent to defer travel to Indonesia.
