Howard wrote to Habibie in support of Indonesian sovereignty over East Timor, but must have suggested that it would be wise to have an Independence vote.

Hence, Habibie saying in the interview in the Howard Years that he was angry at the letter.

He wasnt angry because Howard supported indepedence, he was angry because Howard suggested an independence vote.

A slight twist which Howard (and subsequently the ABC) represent as Howards support for East Timor independence.

Complete lies.

A perfect political tactic.

Howard was simply testing the waters of how Habibie would react. Habibie completely rejected the proposition for a vote. In the persuing months the Howard government lied about Indonesian military involvement in militia massacres despite Australian intelligence clearly stating General Wiranto was complicit in organising militia violence and intecepts of the military commanding the militia.

After the atrocities Howard has slyly altered the suggestion of an Independence vote to project that he supported East Timor Independence when in fact he was playing politics all along. Trying to save face by offering suggestions to the Indonesian government while in full indirect support of Indonesian military controlled militia massacres.

And full direct support in the cover-up of the massacres.