tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18947592.post1896414976687152512..comments2023-11-06T00:01:30.085+13:00Comments on New Zeal: New Zealand Supports East Timor, Supports CubaTrevor Loudonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17040453691836232676noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18947592.post-78972464260638047282008-09-10T18:18:00.000+12:002008-09-10T18:18:00.000+12:00Trevor, it's a token of appreciation. The benefit ...Trevor, it's a token of appreciation. The benefit is more aid from the Cubans, and lessons on how to pull one of the poorest countries in a region up to one with one of the highest levels of life expectancy and education.<BR/><BR/>Although, like you, I hope the Cubans don't give any lessons on how to crush political dissidents!GZhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07756723544792981390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18947592.post-30865369795116371192008-09-10T14:25:00.000+12:002008-09-10T14:25:00.000+12:00George-the East Timorese government didn't have to...George-the East Timorese government didn't have to be pushed towards Cuba-they were that way inclined from the beginning.<BR/><BR/>If that that poor, how can they afford to send aid to Cuba.<BR/><BR/>We give money to East timor because they're so poor. East Timor then helps Cuba out.<BR/><BR/>How does that work?Trevor Loudonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17040453691836232676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18947592.post-19399528814802425392008-09-09T14:23:00.000+12:002008-09-09T14:23:00.000+12:00East Timor is one of the poorest countries on eart...East Timor is one of the poorest countries on earth - thanks in large part to 25 years of brutal occupation, genocide, and rampaging militias destroying the infrastructure. And guess which countries supported that ;)<BR/><BR/>And now Australia has strong-armed most of the Timor Gap oil off them, and the post-1999 aid is starting to run out. They'll take help from wherever they can get it, and if Cuba's being generous, they'll happily say yes. And as you note, Cuba opposed the murderous occupation.<BR/><BR/>New Zealand troops are there providing order in a small, young, fragile state. The alternative is not helping them at all, and handing over influence to countries that you don't like.GZhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07756723544792981390noreply@blogger.com