SHADES OF THE 1975 ELECTION

With only a matter of days to go before the election which will decide if the Gillard Labor government is elected, there is a growing tense situation on Timor Leste similar to the position which existed in 1975 when the Whitlam Government was fighting for survival . The Indonesian invasion of Timor was well and truly on by then . This morning Radio Timor reports that Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao has cancelled a visit to the troubled Naktuka border region because of the presence of armed Indonesian soldiers - " a battalion"- in the area. Woman and children have been advised to move to a safe area and a letter of concern has been sent to Indonesia via Foreign Affairs . Silence all round here in Darwin , especially in the Roma Bar and the Cav.