EAST TIMOR ACTION COALITION
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
ATTENTION: CHIEF OF STAFF
FOR IMMEDIATE USE 13 SEPTEMBER 1999
The East Timor Action Coalition is a coalition of the Campaign for an
Independent East Timor (SA), Action in Solidarity with Indonesia and East
Timor, church, union and community groups. It was formed following the orgy
of slaughter initiated by the Indonesian military (TNI) and its militias
after the people of East Timor voted overwhelmingly for independence in the
30 August referendum.
Following the announcement by the Indonesian President that he would allow
a peace keeping mission into East Timor, the Coalition made the following
statement:
"The announcement by Indonesian President, Dr B.J. Habibie, on 12 September
is an indication that there is some hope on the horizon for peace in East
Timor. However, we should not be lulled into thinking that the long
suffering of the East Timorese people is now suddenly over. East Timorese
refugees in the village of Dare, for example, are still under attack by the
Indonesian military and militias. Those in West Timor and in the remote
mountainous regions of East Timor also face an uncertain future
Dr Habibie's statement was short on many crucial issues that need to be
urgently addressed. For example, he did not commit to a specific date for
the sending in of peace keepers. It is essential that a UN force arrives as
soon as possible to prevent East Timorese refugees in West Timor and the
remote parts of East Timor from facing further terror and slaughter.
The President did not give any hint of any timetable for the disarming and
disbanding of the militias or the withdrawal of all Indonesian troops from
the territory. The East Timorese should not have to wait until November for
this to happen because the Indonesian regime has made it abundantly clear
by its actions that it had no intention of maintaining their security.
Instead, they have stepped up the level of their 24 year campaign of terror
and slaughter.
Aid workers have reported that many East Timorese refugees face starvation
and disease. This is occurring because they have had to flee to areas of
the country where there are drastic food shortages. This problem is
intensified because of the dangers of moving in supplies due to the
activities of the TNI and its militias.
It is crucial that immediate international action is initiated to assist
the East Timorese. An advanced party of peacemakers must go to the
territory urgently. Those nations with troops at the ready should be sent
without delay.
Australia must immediately follow the lead of the US and cease all military
cooperation with the regime. It is good news that Britain has now promised
to stop the supply of Hawk ground attack aircraft. We must also demand that
it stop all forms of military cooperation with Indonesia.
Australia must also reverse its shameful recognition of Indonesia's
occupation of Timor.
The Coalition believes that it is still very important for the rally
planned for 14 September to go ahead and for the peace vigils on Parliament
House steps and outside Mr Downer's electoral office to continue.
It was heartening that Dr Habibie stated that he wanted the full
implementation of the 30 August referendum. Nevertheless, it was
disappointing that he expressed no regret for the suffering and destruction
Indonesia had caused in East Timor. He preferred to hide behind the fiction
that the militias were responsible for all the violence and that the
Indonesian military needed outside assistance to control them.
The world knows by now that the Indonesian military is guilty of
recruiting, training, arming and coordinating the activities of these
criminal groups.
Further, ETAC fully endorses the call by Mary Robinson, the UN Human Rights
Commissioner, for an international war crimes' tribunal. The role of such a
tribunal must be to investigate the key players of the Indonesian regime
who have committed genocide and other human rights abuses wherever they
have occurred.
The rally will be addressed by political party, church, union, human rights
and community group leaders.
It will call for:
1. An immediate cease fire by Indonesia to stop further slaughter of East
Timorese civilians
2. A peace keeping advance party to be sent to East Timor urgently to
prevent further bloodshed
3. The urgent dispatch of food and humanitarian supplies to East Timor to
prevent starvation and disease amongst the large masses of refugees in West
and East Timor
4. The immediate commencement of the withdrawal of all Indonesian troops
from East Timor and the disarming and disbanding of the militias
5. An immediate halt to military cooperation with Indonesia
6. The establishment of an international war crimes tribunal to investigate
the genocide and gross human rights violations in East Timor, West Papua,
Acheh and Ambon.
7. The establishment of a UN panel to determine the compensation and
reparations that need to be made by Indonesia and other governments that
have contributed to the death, suffering and grief in East Timor
8. Australia to immediately reverse its recognition of de jure recognition,
to officially thank the East Timorese people for their great support during
World War 2 and to make an official apology for the past 25 years of
betrayal"
Andrew (Andy) Alcock
Spokesperson
East Timor Action Coalition (South Australia)
Information Officer
Campaign for an Independent East Timor (South Australia)
Phone: 61 8 83710480 (home)
Pager: 61 8 82734382
Facsimile: 61 8 82236509
Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Campaign for an Independent East Timor (SA) Inc.
(Member of the International Federation for a Free East Timor, 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 SA 5000
Bob Hanney (Secretary): 61 8 8344 3511
ACTION IN SOLIDARITY WITH INDONESIA & EAST TIMOR
C/o Resistance Bookshop, 34 Hindley St, Adelaide SA 5000
82316982
ACTION COALITION FOR EAST TIMOR
Campaign for an Independent East Timor (SA) Inc.
(Member of the International Federation for a Free East Timor, 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 SA 5000
Bob Hanney (Secretary): 61 8 8344 3511
ACTION TO SUPPORT EAST TIMOR
The latest news that Gen. Wiranto has been to East Timor and is deeply
moved by the plight of the East Timorese people must sicken millions around
the world who know that he is the architect of the "final solution"
presently being implemented. After the UN visit to Dili, it appears that
the UN and the US, despite many sabre rattling noises, will again acquiesce
to the Indonesian dictatorship. It is still claiming that it can maintain
peace in East Timor, however, the only peace that it wants to maintain is
the peace of the graveyard. Militias led by Indonesian soldiers are
slaughtering the people and torching buildings. The message is clear - if
you don't want to be part of Indonesia, you will die. The Indonesian
dictatorship, following the pattern of the German Nazi regime, is stepping
up its plans for the final solution for the East Timorese. It is
slaughtering people, carting them off to concentration camps in Indonesia
where they will later be despatched or they are forcing them to flee into
the mountains where thousands are expected to starve to death.
World leaders are now saying the right thing about the desperate situation,
however, Australia continues its military cooperation with the regime and
the British Government has sent a ship load of ammunition. Clinton has cut
all military ties, but is not yet supporting the desperately needed UN
peacekeeping mission. UN General Secretary is being positively wimpish.
More pressure is needed to compel the UN, the US, Australia and other
governments to take decisive action to stop the carnage.
ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE
a total boycott of all Indonesian goods and services and especially Garuda
a total boycott of Australian companies that continue to do business with
Indonesia
report any businesses that you know are still dealing with Indonesia to
the Campaign
and your friends
contact state senators and local politicians to demand:-
a peace keeping force to be sent to East Timor immediately
stop all military cooperation and aid with Indonesia immediately
reverse Australia's recognition of Indonesia's sovereignty over East Timor
a formal apology to the people of East Timor for Australia's 5 years of
betrayal
a formal, long overdue thank you for the help given by East Timor to
Australia during World War 2
attend the Vigil Against Genocide in East Timor on the steps of
Parliament House
organised by an ad hoc East Timor Action Coalition starting 10
September
RALLIES AND OTHER EVENTS
SUNDAY 12 SEPTEMBER 1999
11 am Mass with the East Timorese Catholic Community
St Joseph's Catholic Church, South Road, Kurralta Park
5.45pm Solidarity Mass for East Timor
Holy Cross Catholic Church, Goodwood Rd, Goodwood
(organised by the Romero Group)
TUESDAY 14 SEPTEMBER 1999
12.00 noon AEU Day of Action
2 minute silence and work with students to write plea to world leaders
4.30 pm Rally, Parliament House steps, North Tce
(organised by the Campaign for an Independent East Timor,
unions, church, human rights and community organisations)
SATURDAY 25 SEPTEMBER 1999
7.30 -12.00 pm East Timorese Cultural Evening
Food and bar, $5
The Parks Community Centre
(organised by the local East Timorese people)
SUNDAY 26 SEPTEMBER 1999
4.00 - 10+ pm East Timor Benefit
Lots of local bands, $5
The Crown & Sceptre Hotel, 308 King William St., Adelaide
(organised by the Ocea Bradley & Brant Eustice, 84433761 )
6.30 pm THURSDAY 16 SEPTEMBER 1999
EAST TIMOR SEMINAR
Key Speaker: Helder da Costa (East TImorese Community)
Training Room
Basement Trades Hall
13 South Tce
Adelaide
(organised by ASIET)
Lobby the following
President Bill Clinton Ph 1 202 456 1414 Fax 1 202 456 2461
Email. [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Hon John Howard Ph 61 2 627 7700 Fax 61 2 673 4100
The Hon Kofi Annan Ph 12 12 963 5012 Fax 1 212 963 2155
Email. [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Andy Alcock Fax: 8221 5940 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
CIET Fax 8221 5940
Resistance: 8231 6982 Email : [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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