Campaign for an Independent East Timor (South Australia) Inc.
(Affiliated to the International Federation for East Timor, the East Timor
Relief Association, the Australian Coalition for a Free East Timor and the
Australia East Timor Network)
c/o Development Education Centre first floor 220 Victoria Square
ADELAIDE, SOUTH AUSTRALIA 5000
18 NOVEMBER 1999
ATTENTION: CHIEF OF STAFF
MEDIA STATEMENT: FOR IMMEDIATE USE
KEY EAST TIMORESE LEADER COMES TO ADELAIDE TO ADDRESS CIET'S ANNUAL
INDEPENDENCE DINNER
The Information Officer of the Campaign for an Independent East Timor,
Andrew Alcock, released the following statement tonight:
"On Saturday night, 20 November, the Campaign for an Independent East Timor
will hold its 23rd annual East Timor Independence Dinner. It is with great
pleasure that the Campaign welcomes to Adelaide Mr Abel Guterres, the
President of the East Timor Relief Association and a former representative
of the CNRT (Council of National Timorese Resistance) to Australia and New
Zealand.
Abel is no stranger to Adelaide as he has addressed a number of Campaign
public meetings here over the years.
This year has great significance for a number of reasons.
First, this year is the first time that the dinner has been held when East
Timor has been free of the illegal occupation by the Indonesian military
dictatorship. Therefore, on this occasion, there is a good reason to
celebrate even though the East Timorese have had to pay a huge sacrifice to
win their freedom.
Second, Abel Guterres has just returned from East Timor and will be able to
brief those attending on the priority needs of his homeland. This is the
second time that he has been able to return home this year. The first time
was in August when he paid a visit to assist with the promotion of the
independence cause during the lead up to the referendum. He was lucky to
survive an encounter with pro Indonesian militias.
It was the first time that Abel had seen his country in over 20 years and
he was able to be reunited with his elderly mother who is in her 90s.
Third, the Campaign chose the nearest Saturday to the 28 November of each
year for its annual independence dinner because it was on that day in 1975
that the then East Timorese leadership declared its independence, just 10
days before the Indonesian military staged its full scale invasion.
[This year the dinner is being held a week earlier than usual because of
the usual venue was not available on the appropriate night].
Campaign supporters in SA will be able to hear a significant East Timorese
leader give them latest information from home and celebrate the hard won
freedom of a people of one of our closest neighbouring nations. This people
has won our admiration and gratitude for the courageous way they supported
Australia during World War 2 and for the tenacious struggle they fought to
win their independence against a criminal and cruel oppressor and the
betrayal and indifference by the leaders of western nations.
While in Adelaide, Abel Guterres will be involved in a number of other
activities:
holding a press conference at Trades Hall 11.45 am Friday 19 November
addressing the United Trades and Labour Council meeting at 5.30 pm on
Friday evening (and attending its end-of-year dinner afterwards)
speaking to union, church, aid and community leaders
briefing the CIET (SA) Inc Committee"
For further information, contact:
Andrew (Andy) Alcock
Information Officer
CIET (SA)
Phone: 61 8 83710480 (home) 61 8 82053259 (work)
Pager: 61 8 82734382
Facsimile: 61 8 82236509
Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED]
******************************************************************
COMING EVENTS TO SUPPORT EAST TIMOR
******************************************************************
SATURDAY 20 NOVEMBER 1999 7PM
EAST TIMOR INDEPENDENCE DINNER
(28 Nov is the 24th anniversary of the declaration of independence)
Special Guest Speaker: ABEL GUTERRES
(President of the East Timor Relief Association)
(Former Aust/NZ Representative of the Council of
National Timorese Resistance)
Recently returned from East Timor
Unley Senior Citizens Centre, Arthur St, Unley $20 $15 (concession)
(Organised by the Campaign for an Independent East Timor SA Inc)
***************************************************************
SUNDAY 21 NOVEMBER 1999 2 - 4.30PM
EAST TIMOR BENEFIT CONCERT
Maughan Church, Franklin St, Adelaide
$6 (including afternoon tea)
(Organised by the Catholic and Uniting Churches)
SUNDAY 21 NOVEMBER 1999 5.45PM
SANTA CRUZ COMMEMORATIVE MASS
Holy Cross Catholic Church
Goodwood Rd, Goodwood
(Organised by the Romero Community)
*************************************************************
THURSDAY 25 NOVEMBER 1999 8.30PM
FILM BENEFIT "PUNITIVE DAMAGE"
The documentary about Kamahl Bamadhaj, the
Malaysian killed during the Santa Cruz Massacre
(12/11/91)
The Trak Cinema
Greenhill Rd, Burnside
Tickets: Miriam Tonkin 82956481
Crystelle Halliday 83731121
************************************************************
MONDAY 29 NOVEMBER 1999 6.30 - 8PM
CELEBRATING DIVERSITY COALITION OPEN MEETING
"EAST TIMOR - IS THE CAMPAIGN OVER?
- THE CONTINUING NEED FOR SOLIDARITY"
Speakers: JACINTA & JORGE AZEVEDO
(long time ET independence activists)
Venue: Meeting Room
Joiner's Arms Hotel
9 Manton St
HINDMARSH (behind the Entertainment Centre)
RSVP: Kamini: 83312372
Jude: 83469421
*************************************************************
SATURDAY 4 DECEMBER 1999 11 AM
INVASION DAY RALLY
(24th anniversary of the invasion of East Timor)
Gawler Place near Rundle Mall
(organised by CIET, unions, churches, community groups)
**************************************************************
SATURDAY 11 DECEMBER 1999 7PM
"ROAD TOWARDS INDEPENDENCE IN EAST TIMOR" DINNER
Ukrainian Community Hall
66 Orsmond St, Hindmarsh
Ring 84457292 for further information
(organised by the Organising Committee of the East Timorese in SA)
*****************************************************************
LL.SL
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