ACTU/UTLC SOLIDARITY RALLY WITH EAST TIMOR
On the 27 May, the United Trades & Labour Council, the Campaign for an
Independent East Timor, Amnesty and a number of union, peace, solidarity
and community groups organised a rally in cooperation with the Australian
Council of Trade Unions Day of Solidarity with East Timor.
About 60 people attended the 27 May rally.
As you would be aware, despite claims of the Indonesian dictatorship, the
ethnic cleansing continues in East Timor. Even, Alexander Downer, hitherto
dismissive of the concerns of those working in solidarity with East Timor,
has condemned the Indonesian regime for the continuing killings in Timor.
The Adelaide planners of the solidarity rally considered it necessary to
organise a follow up rally to keep Australians aware of the continuing loss
of life in Timor and to demand effective action by the UN and western
governments to do more.
Please encourage members of your organisations to attend the rally on 12
June and have representatives attend the planning meeting on 8 June.
Let's commit ourselves to ensuring that the 12 June rally is even larger
than the 27 May one.
Viva Xanana
Viva Timor Leste
Viva Solidaridad Internationale
Chris White
Secretary
United Trades & Labour Council (South Australia)
Andy Alcock
Information Officer
Campaign for an Independent East Timor (South Australia) Inc
ACTU/UTLC SOLIDARITY RALLY WITH EAST TIMOR
SATURDAY 12 JUNE, 12 NOON
ASSEMBLE AT COMMONWEALTH BANK
100 KING WILLIAM ST
(ALEXANDER DOWNER'S OFFICE)
MARCH TO CORNER RUNDLE MALL & GAWLER PLACE
(VIA THE INDONESIAN CONSULATE, 45 KW ST)
INTERESTED UNIONS COMMUNITY GROUPS PLANNING MEETING
TUESDAY 8 JUNE, 4.30 PM
TRADES HALL
11 SOUTH TCE
ADELAIDE
Campaign for an Independent East Timor (S.A.) Inc.
Affiliated to 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 Torrens House
220 Victoria Square
ADELAIDE
SOUTH AUSTRALIA 5000
ATTENTION: CHIEF OF STAFF
MEDIA STATEMENT: 6 JUNE 1999
A CRUCIAL VOTE FOR INDONESIA - WILL IT MEAN PEACE FOR EAST TIMOR?
SUPPORT THE ADELAIDE ACTU/UTLC SOLIDARITY WITH EAST TIMOR RALLY
12 NOON SATURDAY 12 JUNE
100 KING WILLIAM ST (FOREIGN MINISTER ALEXANDER DOWNER'S OFFICE)
The Campaign for an Independent East Timor (South Australia) released the
following statement on the imminent Indonesian elections and the continuing
Indonesian military violence in East Timor:
"When General Suharto stepped down from the Indonesian presidency just over
a year ago, there was hope that the Indonesian people might win democracy
for the first time in 35 years and that the East Timorese might win their
freedom. After a year of turmoil, Indonesia faces a crucial test.
The question is will this mean freedom from tyranny for the peoples who
have suffered under the jack boot of the Indonesian regime? Indonesians are
not the only ones who have a stake in this election. East Timorese, West
Papuans and Achinese are also anxiously awaiting the election result. Their
concerns are deepened because front running candidate, Megawarti
Sukarnoputri, leader of the Democracy Struggle Party is opposed to
independence for East Timor. Further, she is rumoured to be very close to
the generals responsible for ethnic cleansing in East Timor and West Papua.
Meanwhile, the Australian Government has taken some positive steps. It has
finally appointed a career diplomat, James Batley, to be the new Australian
Consul to Dili. He is expected to take up his position next week. Further,
50 Australian police officers selected for the 280-strong United Nations
police presence in East Timor are ready to join their counterparts in the
UN mission.
UN and human rights officials are concerned that the UN mission is not
adequate to control the murderous activities of the 20,000 strong
Indonesian military and their militias that are still wreaking terror and
death across East Timor.
In Dili, Yayasan-Hak, the Indonesian Foundation for Legal and Human Rights
holds grave fears for 12 East Timorese women who have been detained by the
Besi Merah Putih (Red and White Iron) militia, a local pro-autonomy militia
group operating in Liquica. A woman, who managed to escape captivity,
claims the remaining 12 hostages had been raped by militias. Yayasan-Hak
has said that the 12 women were taken from their homes in Ulmera village in
Liquica district on May 17 after their husbands fled to avoid forced
recruitment into the militia group.
Foreign journalists visiting the southern town of Viqueque three days ago
have reported that UN officials informed them they had received reports
that an old school building they were considering as a possible ballot
registration centre was used as a torture and killing centre. Locals claim
that Team 59-79, a pro-Jakarta militia, killed 10 independence supporters
in the building in the past two months. Team 59-79 is reported to have had
the backing of Indonesia's elite Kopassus troops.
The UN and the international community will have to ensure that the
activities of the Indonesian military and the militias are controlled to
ensure that conditions are suitable for the August referendum to occur
peacefully. The only acceptable position is for the militias to be
disbanded and the Indonesian military to be withdrawn.
On the occasion of the first democratic elections in Indonesia for about 40
years, it is time to reflect on how the Suharto regime was able to seize
power and cause such bloodshed and misery for so long.
Of course we know many of the answers to that question. Let us hope that
the CIA that helped overthrow democracy in Indonesia in 1965 and the
western governments that armed and trained the Indonesian military while
continually appeasing each appalling crime this regime committed, will
resolve never to support such corrupt and brutal dictatorships in the
future. Let us hope that the Indonesian people achieve democracy and that
our World War 2 Timorese allies are released from the genocidal nightmare
that they have suffered for nearly 24 years.
Sadly, however, nothing can be guaranteed. This is why it is important for
ordinary people who want to see justice prevail to demonstrate their
concerns. A follow up rally to the 27 May ACTU Day of Solidarity with East
Timor will be held on 12 June in Adelaide. It is being organised and
supported by the UTLC of SA, the Campaign for an Independent East Timor,
human rights and community groups."
Andy Alcock
Information Officer
Campaign for an Independent East Timor (South Australia) Inc
Phone: 08 83710480 (home) 08 82053259 (work)
Pager: 08 84157467
Facsimile: 08 82236509
Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Chris White
Secretary of the United Trades and Labour Council (South Australia)
Phone: 61 8 83528585 Mobile: 0418830297
ADELAIDE ACTU/UTLC SOLIDARITY WITH EAST TIMOR RALLY
12 NOON SATURDAY 12 JUNE
100 KING WILLIAM ST (FOREIGN MINISTER ALEXANDER DOWNER'S OFFICE)
MARCH TO CORNER OF GAWLER PLACE & RUNDLE MALL
Speakers from unions, church, human rights, solidarity and community groups.
LL.SF
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