Events in East Timor and the response internationally have given rise to a variation on gunboat diplomacy. It is gunboat democracy. In colonial times, a country would position a gunboat off the coast of a minion and that would be enough to sort out the native unrest. In post-colonial times, the gunboat is used, in real terms and metaphorically, to aid the rise of democracy and the transition from a strife-torn country to a stable society.

In the past few weeks in East Timor, rioting and gun battles have resulted in the deaths of about 10 people and injuries to many others. The fuse was lit when 600 troops walked out of the army over a range of issues, including alleged discrimination because of their geographical background. The soldiers were later sacked. In recent days, the rebellion has turned more violent.

Civilian and military police have joined the rebels. Witnesses have reported gangs of youths, some armed with machetes, terrorising parts of the capital, Dili.

An estimated 100,000 residents in recent weeks have fled the capital to escape the unrest. This week East Timor acknowledged that it needed outside help to stabilise the country. It asked for help from Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia and Portugal. Australia responded immediately. Yesterday, 150 troops arrived in East Timor, with more than 1000 more ready to go. The troops are charged with re-establishing law and order. It is the largest Australian deployment of peacekeepers to the region since 1999. At the same time, Australia is cutting back its troops in the Solomon Islands from 400 to 140. The troops were sent in last month to restore peace following riots.

This dousing of spot fires around the region shows the fragility of the flower of democracy in poor, struggling countries. It draws into focus the debate on how to best help Australia's neighbours, beyond maintaining law and order on the streets.

In August 2001 The Age rejoiced on this page at the coming of age for the tiny nation of East Timor. We said that in 1999 Australia had stood up to defend the people's right to self-determination. More than 15,000 Australian soldiers served in East Timor from 1999. Six years later they were all but gone, except for advisers and trainers to that country's defence force.

Some of those trained by Australians are now the renegades in the current unrest.

While the Federal Government's quick response to the crisis is to be applauded, there are broader issues at stake. Democracy does not bloom overnight and it does not bequeath immediate benefits. It takes time.

For a country as poor East Timor – one of the world's poorest with a per capita income of just $1.40 a day – the international community should be doing more in terms of infrastructure, education and health. Gangs are not the only ones roaming the streets. Poverty also stalks the nation, and it kills more insidiously. An East Timorese can expect to live to only 55. Half the people do not have sufficient safe drinking water. The expected riches from the Timor Sea gas fields will not have an effect for several years. This is a country on Australia's doorstep. Even though aid to East Timor is $324 million, much more should be done in institutional development.

Former defence force chief Peter Cosgrove says Australia has an obligation to help, yet Prime Minister John Howard sees Australia's deployment in terms of our national interest. "Weak and fragile" neighbouring states could turn into a problem for Australia, he believes. This is disconcerting. To see strife in terms of how it affects you has little to do with nurturing democracy and a people's best interest. It has more to do with self-interest, and that harks back to the gunboat.