Campaign for an Independent East Timor (S.A.) Inc.
(Member of the Australian Coalition for a Free East Timor and the East
Timor Relief Association/Affiliated to the Australian East Timor Network)
first floor Torrens House
220 Victoria Square,
ADELAIDE
SOUTH AUSTRALIA 5000
MEDIA RELEASE 24 December 1998
ATTENTION: The Chief of Staff
CHRISTMAS 1998:
SITUATION NORMAL - SUPPORT FOR OPPRESSION BY THE US, BRITAIN & AUSTRALIA
CONTINUES UNABATED
The following statement was released today by Andrew Alcock, the
Information Officer of the Campaign for an Independent East Timor in
response to callousness of western governments to the suffering in
the Asia Pacific region at Christmas 1998:
"No doubt, many millions in the western world must have felt a sense
of relief when they saw photographs of US President Bill Clinton
clutching a Bible as he and his daughter left church together in the
week prior to Christmas. Only hours before he had called off four
days of devastating bombardment against Iraqi citizens. This was
meant to be a punishment for Iraqi President Saddam Hussein who had
already caused great suffering for the Iraqi people.
Everybody was happy. Bill and Tony were glad that they could teach
the Iraqi dictator another bloody lesson just a few days before
Christmas. At the same time, they had managed to please the weapons
manufacturers who were laughing because they had made an unexpected
profit (killing??) in what should be a quiet period (war wise) - a
simultaneous Christmas and Ramadan season.
Ordinary Americans and Brits were happy because they have been spared
the disturbing sight of bleeding and suffering human beings on their
TVs on Christmas Day, while eating their turkey and pudding.
Christmas Day, after all, is meant to be the most peaceful day on the
Christian calendar.
The dictators running the Indonesian regime were probably
disappointed that Bill was not clutching the Koran, but once again,
he had shown the Iraqis (and the world for that matter) who was boss.
More to the point, he had not stopped supporting them as they
continued their slaughter in East Timor, West Papua and Indonesia.
Putting millions of dollars into his re-election fund was a very wise
investment.
While this was happening, the Indonesian military was explaining
through the barrel of the gun that more Indonesian students will die
before they can expect to see democracy.
We have not heard much from Australian leaders except to say that
they supported what Bill and Tony did, which surprised no-one. At the
same time, Indonesian officers were being trained in Queensland and
Victoria in the vain hope that this would cause them to oppress the
East Timorese and West Papuans without being inhumane. It was in the
more certain hope that there will be lucrative profits for certain
people from the purloined oil and mineral resources of East Timor and
West Papua.
On Christmas Day, Australians can sit back and tuck into their
Christmas feasts content that that they live in the world's best
democracy where all really are on the side of the underdog. (Unless,
of course they have got shares in the resources that are being ripped
off from various underdogs.)
Meanwhile Australians who care about justice are joining the call by
Nelson Mandela for Xanana Gusmao, the gaoled East Timorese resistance
leader, to be released so that he can participate in the UN Peace
Talks on East Timor. No East Timorese leaders have been involved in
this process yet. The best Christmas present that UN Secretary
General, Mr Kofi Annan, could give to the East Timorese people would
be to ensure that this happens
The Christmas message of Peace on Earth, Goodwill to all sounds a
little hollow in Australia, Britain and America in 1998.
May it come to pass that Australians, Britons and Americans may
celebrate hypocrisy-free Christmases in the knowledge that their
governments have contributed to peace, justice and democracy, rather
than opposing these values".
Andrew (Andy) Alcock
Information Officer
CIET(SA) Inc
Spokesperson
Australian Coalition for a Free East Timor
Phone: 08 83710480 (home)
Pager: 08 84157467
Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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