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1999 Disaster 2000 Aftermath 2001 | 2002 2006 
 
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from the Indonesians who claim control of the island. Portugal ruled the island for centuries. They introduced Catholicism which has now become a major factor in the civil war. After a revolution in 1974, Portugal's new leader gave up title to the Eastern part of the island. They thought it would be independent, but Suharto moved in w/ his U.S.-funded military. The move occurred just after Indonesia officials visited w/ Ford and Kissinger. Since then a low-level civil war has been going on. It has been one of the most brutal, as Suharto used barbaric tortures and harsh imprisonment on any East Timorese who dared to oppose his rule. America has funded the whole Indonesian effort, trained the soldiers and sold the equipment used in the Indonesian conquest of the island. |