The Redundancy of Courage

Although the characters are fictional, they are closely based on people involved in events in East Timor during 1975.^[12] Osvaldo Oliveira, commander of the FAKINTIL guerilla army, is based on Nicolau Lobato, who became Prime Minister following the unilateral declaration of independence in 1975, and Xanana Gusmão, who later became the first President of East Timor in 2002.^[13] FAKOUM, the pro-independence party, is based on Fretilin.^[14] FAKINTIL is similarly based on Falintil.^[15][16]

Joaquim Lobato is based on exiled leader José Ramos-Horta (later Foreign Minister, Prime Minister and President).^[17] Bill Mabbely is based on Australian journalist Roger East, who was killed by Indonesian troops in Dili on the day of the invasion.^[17] The date of the malai invasion of Danu, 7 December, is the same as that of Indonesia's invasion of East Timor.^[16][18]

Balibo, the town where five Australian-based journalists were killed,^[19] is depicted in the novel, as is the killing of the journalists.^[20]

• Timothy Mo's The Redundancy of Courage, Meridian, BBC World Service, 25 April 1991