Diplomatic Deceits

The Australian media has played a key role in debates over Australia's East Timor policy since the mid-1970s. - Introduced by the ABC's multi-awarding-winning reporter Chris Masters, this is the first book to analyse the interaction of newspapers, broadcasters, politicians, diplomats and the public during this turbulent period. - It provides a vivid insight into the key role of the media in this controversial issue. - Australia's foreign affairs policymakers decided to adopt a 'pragmatic' rather than 'principled' approach to East Timor - That policy unravelled over the subsequent quarter century, under constant pressure from public opinion, the media, and international disapproval. - In the long run, argues Rodney Tiffen, Australia's stance was neither pragmatic nor principled.