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This page provides online resources
to assist users in carrying out web-based research on Indonesia and East Timor. Suggestions for additional links are always
welcome!
Edited by Elizabeth Coville (ecoville@gmail.com)
What's Up on the Web:
(For this last "What's up on the Web" of 2006,
I've asked John A. MacDougall
(john.a.macdougall@gmail.com)
to contribute a guest column about his current research on Timor-Leste. -- Liz)
# 17 - Timor blogs
Ever tried to research Timor-Leste (T-L)
on the net? It's not easy. Sources come in English, Portuguese, Indonesian,
and Tetun flavors. Quickly, one finds web resources in all these languages are
needed. The differing language sites carry their own agendas, often quite
plainly, sometimes more subtly.
The scholar's task is to strive mightily to make sense of Babel, just as
when one is firmly planted on the ground in Timor. And after that, it's
still wise to distrust your own best judgments.
Of some help are the few blogs written by persons living in Timor. Pity
there aren't many. Here are just a few I read regularly.
Rai Ketak (English): Written
by an American graduate student studying Timorese history, especially the 1959
rebellion, first in Portugal, then in T-L. Exceptionally honest, the author
reveals her innocence, agony, and mistakes during early life in Dili and deep
into the districts. Entries dated 2001-2003 were selected from a personal
diary. After five years of on-and-off working, exploring, and researching,
the 2006 entries become brutally blunt, utterly without illusion, and
highly-informed. Great reading.
Timor Online
(Portuguese): Started May 2006 during the current 'crize' (crisis). Highly
partisan, speaks for the so-called 'Maputo wing' of Fretilin. Bitterly fought
the ouster of Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri, runs down President Xanana Gusmao
at every opportunity. Mostly quiet about current Prime Minister Jose Ramos-Horta. One
Timorese source claims the two moderators, the acerbic Malai Azul (Blue
Foreigner) and prolific translator Margarida, are actually Loro Horta (the
PM's son) and his divorced wife, lusophiliac Ana Pessoa.
Timor-Deste (Portuguese):
Commenced September 2006. Sometimes wild and wooly, but mostly fast-reaction
opposition political interpretations and punditry. Seems to be run by a
Timorese in Portugal along with a team of informants in Dili. Supports
Xanana's vision of a more democratic, forgiving, non-violent Timor. Gets
upset when the PR travels abroad. A pleasant relief from Fretilin's dominance
of 'Timorese cyberspace.'
Timor 2006 (Portuguese): A
team blog with almost all recent entries by the prolific blogger and
experienced Timorese journalist, Angela Carrascalao, and, occasionally, the
respected young Portuguese scholar, Joao Paulo Esperanca, who teaches at UNTL
(Timor-Leste National University) and maintains his own older, more
occasional, multi-lingual blog
Hanoin Oin-oin (roughly, Sundry Thoughts). Angela's almost daily entries
are emotional and literary reflections on the exasperations of living and
working in Dili during the crisis, while always reminding readers of the older
and better times.
Dili-gence (English):
Began November 2005 before most foreigners became aware of Timor's deep
internal conflicts of many years standing. Written by an Australian expat
working in Dili till now. Lots of entries on practical tips for foreigners
coping with ordinary life there, but with a very careful and cautious set of
eyes and ears trying to figure out the broader forces at play and explain
things to us as best he can. Very addictive.
by John A. MacDougall
(john.a.macdougall@gmail.com)
Posted on Dec 29, 2006
@ 2000 Antara Kita. Southeast Asian Studies
Program, Yamada House, Ohio University, Athens, OH
45701-2979, USA.
This site was last updated on Dec 29, 2006
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