I urge Timor and WTO/globalisation protest groups in Australia to converge on the venues listed below and hold the Australian Government and DFAT responsible for their calculated betrayal of the Timorese and Australian peoples. We should demand the sacking of departmental head Ashton Calvert and the resignation of minister Alexander Downer, followed by a royal commission into these foreign policy fiascos. The same mandarins of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) have decided-- (a) the ongoing sellout of Australian democracy and economic equity to transnational corporations via the OECD and WTO; and (b) sacrifice of the independent democracy, property and lives of East Timorese on the altar of "our national interests" and trade relations with Indonesia. The ultimate proof is that DFAT's head, Ashton Calvert, went to Washington in February 1999 and persuaded the US State Department against insertion of an armed UN peacekeeping force to provide security before, during and after the August 30 referendum. See http://www.multiline.com.au/~johnm/armsaid.htm "Mr Calvert argued that the East Timorese should be encouraged to sort out their differences without resorting to the UN. The record of conversation, which is likely to find an uncomfortable place in Australian diplomatic history, is remarkable for the scant regard Mr Calvert paid to the way the Indonesian military was exacerbating the differences by inciting the militia groups to attack pro-independence supporters." (--Brian Toohey, article in The West Australian, 6 Sept, 1999) We have a rare opportunity to focus strong public protest against DFAT, which is holding its public hearings on objections to its WTO free-trade designs-- HOBART 16 September, 11.00am, Hotel Grand Chancellor, 1 Davey Street, Hobart ADELAIDE 17 September, 2.30pm, Theatrette, Commonwealth Centre, 55 Currie St., Adelaide PERTH 20 September, 10.00am, at Level 8, Exchange Plaza, Sherwood Court, Perth DARWIN 21 September, 4.00 pm , Territory Perspective, Development House, 76 the Esplanade, Darwin BRISBANE 22 September, 3.00 pm, Auditorium, Department of State Development, Lower Ground Floor, 111 George St., Brisbane MELBOURNE 23 September (time and venue to be announced) SYDNEY 24 September, 11.00, International Media Centre, Level 29, Westpac Plaza, 60 CANBERRA 30 September (Details to be announced) Full details and other venues are on the web at http://www.dfat.gov.au/trade/negotiations/hearings/schedule.html I urge all Timor and WTO/globalisation protest groups to converge on those venues and hold the Australian Government and DFAT responsible for the calculated betrayal of the Timorese and Australian peoples. In solidarity BRIAN JENKINS StopMAI (WA) Coalition http://www.nettrek.com.au/stopmai.htm ---------------------------------------------------------------- This is the Neither public email list, open for the public and general discussion. To unsubscribe click here Mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Subject=unsubscribe To subscribe click here Mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Subject=subscribe For information on [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.neither.org/lists/public-list.htm For archives http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]
