The Legend of East Timor
The Boy and the Crocodile
Many years ago, a small crocodile lived in a swamp in a far away place. He dreamed of becoming a big crocodile, but as food was scarce, he became weak and grew sadder and sadder. He left for the open sea, to find food and to realize his dream, but the day became increasingly hot and he was still far from the shoreline. Upon swimming to the shore, the little crocodile, rapidly becoming dehydrated and now in desperation, lay down to die.
A small boy took pity on the stranded crocodile and carried him back out to the sea. The crocodile was instantly revived, and was grateful to the little boy. "Little boy," he said, "you have saved my life. If I can ever help you in any way, please call my name and I will be at your command." A few years later, the boy called out to the crocodile, who was now big and strong. "Brother crocodile," he said, "I too have a dream. I want to see the world."
"Climb on my back," said the crocodile, "and tell me, which way do you want to go?" "Follow the sun," said the boy. So, the crocodile set off for the east and they traveled the oceans for many years, until one day the crocodile said to the boy, "Brother, we have been traveling for a long time. But, now the time has come for me to die. Im memory of your kindness, I will turn myself into a beautiful island, where you and your children can live until the sun sinks into the sea."
As the crocodile dies, his body grew and grew, and his ridged back because the mountains, and his scales the hills of Timor.
Now when the people of East Timor swim in the ocean, they often enter the water respectfully, saying, 'Don't eat me crocodile, for we are family, and you are my grandfather.'
Fundação Lafaek Diak has taken its name form the ancient creation myth of East Timor, where a boy helps a dying crocodile, and in return the crocodile promises to not harm the boy. The boy and the crocodile become friends, and when the crocodile is old, it gives life to become the land of Timor for the boy and his descendants to live on. The adjective "good" in the foundation's name is taken from the story that Jesus told of the Good Samaritan, who helps the wounded person on the road to Jericho, no matter being a stranger. Hence, Fundação Lafaek Diak/ The Good Crocodile Foundation sees its mission as to help those in need on the road and to consider everyone as a sister or brother.
Timeline of East Timor History
16th century- East Timor is a Portuguese colony known as Portuguese Timor. Portugal largely neglected the colony, using it mainly as a place to exile those who the government in Libson saw as "problems"- including political prisoners as well as ordinary criminals.
1941- Portuguese Timor is occupied by Australian and Dutch forces.
1942- Japanese occupy Timor, with the Allies and East Timor volunteers engaging them in guerrilla warfare. Japanese forces burned many villages and seized food supplies. The Japanese occupation resulted in the deaths of 40,000-70,000 Timorese. Portuguese Timor is handed back over to Portugal.
1955- The colony is declared an "Overseas Province" of the Portuguese Republic.
1965- General Suharto seizes power in Indonesia. An estimated 500,000 people are killed in the purges that follow.
1974- The forty-eight year-old Portuguese dictatorship is overthrown in a bloodless military coup. Political parties are soon formed in East Timor.
1975- In March, US Ambassador to Indonesia recommends a policy of silence on the issue in East Timor, which is supported by the current US Secretary of State. Civil fighting breaks out in East Timor in August, instigated by Indonesian intelligence operatives. On November 28, 1975 Fretilin (East Timor political party) makes a unilateral declaration of independence of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste. This declaration was not acknowledged by Portugal, Indonesia, or Australia. In December, US President and US Secretary of State met with Indonesia's President Suharto. The following day, Indonesia forces launch a full-scale invasion of East Timor, accompanied by mass rapes and large atrocities of over 60,000 people, using almost entirely US supplied equipment. The United Nations condemns the Indonesia invasion. The East Timorese resistance movement takes to the mountains.
1976- In July, President Suharto proclaims that East Timor is part of Indonesia. The United Nations refuses to recognize Indonesia annexation. Reports that as many as 100,000 of the population of less than 700,000 have perished as a result of the Indonesia assault.
1977-1978- Large-scale aerial bombardment creates widespread suffering in East Timor's countryside. The head of East Timor's independence movement, Nicolau Lobato, is killed by Indonesia forces.
1979- Massive war-related famine affects at least 300,000 people.
1989- Pope John Paul II visits East Timor in October, and speaks out on human rights.
1991- More than 250 East Timorese are killed when troops open fire on thousands of mourners and demonstrators in the Santa Cruz cemetery in Dili, in the presence of foreign journalists.
1994- President Clinton visits Indonesia in November.
1996- In October it is announced that Bishop Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, along with Jose Ramos-Horta, chief international spokesman of East Timor's resistance movement.
1997- Increased military repression occurs in East Timor throughout much of the year as the Indonesia army clamps down on pro-independence jubilation in the wake of the Nobel Prize.
1998- In October, tens of thousands demonstrate in Dili in favor of referendum. In November, troops open fire on peaceful Indonesia student demonstrators outside Parliament in Jakarta, killing eight. In December, massive Indonesian military operations take place in the Alas ares of the southern region of East Timor. Dozens of homes are burned and thousands are displaced. Indonesian military forces continue to terrorize the area.
1999- In January, the Indonesia government raises the possibility of independence for East Timor, and announces the release of resistance leader, Xanana Gusmao from prison into house arrest. The Indonesia government, under strong international pressure, decides to hold a referendum about the future of East Timor. The referendum, held on August 30, gave a clear majority (78.5%) in favor of independence, rejecting the alternative offer of being autonomous province within Indonesia. Immediately following the referendum results, Indonesian soldiers carried out a massive campaign of violence and terrorism in retaliation. In one month, the Indonesian military murdered some 2,000 people, raped hundreds of women and girls, displaced 3/4 of the population, and demolished 75% of the country's infrastructure. UN authorized creation of a multinational military military force known as INTERFET (International Force for East Timor). Troops landed in East Timor in September.
2000- The INTERFET troops are withdrawn in February, with the transfer of military command to the UN. The administration of East Timor is officially taken over by the United Nations.
2001- Elections are held for a constituent assembly to draft a constitution.
2002- May 20, 2002, East Timor becomes an independent country. September 27, 2002 East Timor becomes a member of the UN. Xanana Gusmao is elected the first President of the independent Timor-Leste.
2006- In April, unrest begins within the country following riots in Dili where five people were killed and 20,000 fled their homes. In May, fierce fighting broke out between pro-government troops and disaffected Falintil troops, with the motivation behind the violence being over the distribution of oil funds and the poor organization of the Timorese army and police forces, which included former Indonesian-trained police and former Timorese rebels. In that same month, Australia, Portugal, New Zealand, and Malaysia sent troops to Timor to attempt to quell the violence.
2007- Jose Ramos Horta elected second President of Timor-Leste. Xanana Gusmao is named Prime Minister.
2011- East Timor applies for membership in the South-East Asian group (ASEAN)
2012- New Zealand announces it will be removing troops from East Timor, saying that the country is now stable and calm. Taur Matan Ruak is sworn in as the third President of Timor-Leste.
2017- Francisco Guterres "Lu-Olo" is sworn in as the fourth President of Timor-Leste. Elections take place for the fourth Parliament seats, in the first parliamentary elections organized by the Timorese people and without supervision from the United Nations.