The International Politics of Transitional Justice in Timor-Leste.

The potential, limits, achievements and shortcomings of internationalized structures of transitional justice cannot be fully understood without examining them in the context of international politics. This paper identifies and evaluates the international political dynamics that gave rise to and influenced the three institutions designed to address and redress recent atrocities in Timor-Leste. These structures are the Serious Crimes Unit of the Dili District Court, a UN-supported mechanism that concluded its trials in May 2005, the Commission on Reception, Truth and Reconciliation, which presented its final report to President Gusmão in October 2005, and the Indonesian-Timorese Commission for Truth and Friendship, which began work in August 2005. Particular attention is given to how the broader political goals of the members of the Security Council shaped the mandate of the Serious Crimes Unit and supported the creation of the subsequent Commission for Truth and Friendship. Indonesia?s ability to manipulate international dynamics in its own favor is revealed as a powerful factor determining the scope and achievements of these transitional justice structures. ..PAT.-Unpublished Manuscript [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]