Sir, - It is now nearly three weeks since the people of East Timor voted overwhelmingly for independence. The international community has now decided that this is the time to send in troops, now that there is little infrastructure left in the capital and the majority of people have been either killed or displaced.
Does the UN really think it can salvage its reputation with this belated show of support? And if the Timorese are now independent or wish to be, as the vote suggests, why does the international community continue to look to Indonesia for permission to send troops and much needed humanitarian supplies? I suppose the answer must be that the Timorese are not likely to buy as many guns and fighter planes from Britain as the Indonesians are in the years to come. - Yours, etc.,
Finbarr Sweeney, Ballysheedy, Co Limerick.