This page will be updated frequently with items we think will help
socialists in the rest of the world relate to the events in East Timor and
Indonesia. For more on the Alliance for Workers' Liberty and our view on the
demands of the East Timorese for independence see the main East Timor page.
September 15th
The ballot, offered as a way to resolve the 24-year old crisis in East Timor, has been completed. The results show that the Timorese people reject the special autonomy offered by the Indonesian government and have chosen to be a free nation.
The Timorese struggle to be a free nation have gone on for many centuries against Portuguese colonialism and then against the militaristic Indonesian government. They have paid a high price, both physically and materially to wage that struggle. The Indonesian military invasion since 1975 has cost more than 200,000 lives and led to many human rights abuses including beatings and rapes. The international community's response to the military acts of Indonesia depended on the Cold War interests of each country at the time.
After the ballot was completed and a series massacres of pro-independence forces, UN staff and journalists by pro-integration militia members (supported by Indonesian military and police) commenced, the international community has again taken a position on the issue of East Timor. In this case, the international community has condemned the Indonesian government who are thought of as no longer able to provide security in the territory.
Condemnation and international pressure has come from Australia from its government and through the call for bans on Indonesian products by Australian trade unions. In one instance, there was even the incident of flag burning at a demonstration outside an Indonesian consulate. The response to this by several forces was to retaliate and burn the Australian flag and to invade the Australian Embassy in Indonesia.
These actions show the low level of understanding of the history of the struggle in East Timor and the shifting of the conflict from the massacres carried out in East Timor to a conflict between two countries.
In responding to the situation that has arisen since the ballot in East Timor, the National Front for Indonesian Labour Struggle (FNBPI) hereby express:
The FNPBI therefore demand:
We declare our full support for all the solidarity actions and strikes conducted by trade unions worldwide.
We call on the international community, especially the workers to maintain pressure on the Indonesian government through strikes/industrial action, economic sanctions and other forms of pressure.
Jakarta 11 September 1999
National Front for Indonesian Labour Struggle
Dita Indah Sari, Chairperson
Ilham Syah, General Secretary
The ACTU today welcomed the announcement of Indonesian President Habibie that an international peace keeping force will be allowed into East Timor. ACTU President Jennie George said "The situation for the East Timorese people remains one of continuing fear until the peacekeepers arrive. It will be a tragedy if after having given further assurances to the United Nations, Indonesian security forces continue to stand by and watch militias murdering innocent East Timorese and destroying their homes.
"In the light of President Habibie's announcement last night, the ACTU has called on unions to suspend actions that prevent airline passengers travelling to Indonesia. Other bans will remain in place,' she said.
"The ACTU will continue with its industrial action until it becomes clear that peace and security has been restored for the people of East Timor."
Ms George said there were continuing issues of concern with the peacekeeping force, in particular - how long will it take to get them on the ground? - what will be the mandate of the force?
'Both of these issues could prove to be difficult to resolve and in the meantime the militias will continue the violence and murder in East Timor,' she said.
'For that reason, unions will continue to keep as much pressure as possible on the Australian Government to see the peace keeping force brought into East Timor as soon as possible.
Last week, unions, community groups and churches joined forces to organise a series of protests, marches and vigils around the country in support of the Campaign for Peace in East Timor.
Thousands of Australian citizens have participated in marches and other actions to express their horror at the tragedy which is occurring to the East Timorese people.
Unions have continuously called for the formation of an international peacekeeping force to enter East Timor as soon as possible to assist in the restoration of peace and stability.
The Campaign for Peace calls for: bans to be placed on all Indonesian government and commercial interests in Australia; the withdrawal of services (other than those considered essential) from Indonesian government and commercial interests; and called for a consumer boycott of Indonesian products and services.
The ACTU has also called for support from international financial agencies (e.g. World Bank, IMF) in suspending assistance until peace is restored, and called on the Australian government to provide urgent humanitarian assistance to the East Timorese refugees.
Rallies are being planned for all major centres on Sunday 19 September.
Indonesia's politically powerful military has backed President Habibie's decision to allow UN peacekeeping forces into East Timor.
A senior armed forces officer, Major-General Sudrajat, has told reporters that the military respects the decision, which is the best for the country, the international community and East Timor.
Indonesia's generals had earlier promised the UN they they could restore peace and security in East Timor with no outside help. In his speech announcing that a UN force would go into East Timor, President Habibe presented the military with an opportunity to save face. "The Indonesian defence forces tried to stabilise the situation in East Timor since the declaration of martial law on 7 September," President Habibie said.
"At the same time they have to recognise that there are limits to what more they would achieve. "They have done their utmost in the very complex and complicated situation under very difficult psychological constraint, without neglecting their responsibilities for peace and security in other parts of the Republic of Indonesia," he said.
AUSTRALIA is on the brink of the biggest overseas commitment of troops since the Vietnam War after Indonesia last night caved in to international demands to allow peacekeepers to go to East Timor.
Facing diplomatic sanctions and increasing international isolation, President B.J. Habibie admitted the declaration of martial law in the violence-wracked territory had failed and Indonesia needed foreign help to restore order.
"Too many people have lost their lives . . . lost their homes and security. We have to stop the suffering and the mourning immediately," Dr Habibie said in a televised statement.
In Auckland, John Howard hailed the announcement as a "tremendous step forward" for securing peace in East Timor and congratulated Dr Habibie for his courage in making it.
"Dr Habibie deserves great credit for what he has done tonight – even the cynical, the sceptical and the suspicious must see this as a huge step forward," he said.
A spokesman for US President Bill Clinton said it was a "very positive development, and represents a stepping back from the brink for Indonesia".
East Timorese independence leader Xanana Gusmao lauded Indonesia's decision as "courageous", while in the UN compound in Dili, strangers hugged and kissed, and children danced as the news of foreign intervention spread.
However, Sunday Times journalist Marie Colvin said UN officials in the compound were concerned it would not come under further attack from militia gangs and military enraged by the decision.
Highlighting those fears were earlier reports from Dare, 9km south of Dili, where more than 30,000 refugees are sheltering, that the Indonesian special forces unit Kopassus had surrounded the Catholic seminary and begun setting up mortars and grenade launchers.
The decision to allow foreign peacekeepers to join Indonesian security forces in East Timor was conveyed to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan by Dr Habibie by phone after a three-hour Cabinet meeting. Dr Habibie said he would send Foreign Minister Ali Alatas to New York to negotiate details of the peacekeeping force. Although the President made no explicit mention of any conditions on the deployment of peacekeepers, there is strong resistance within sections of the Government and armed forces to Australia playing the lead role.
In the version delivered in Indonesian he outlined a continued role for the Indonesian armed forces – a reference that was omitted in the English version of his announcement delivered afterwards.
Jakarta would prefer Asian nations to make up the bulk of peacekeepers and may object to Australian participation. The UN would resist such a caveat, especially since Australia is the only country willing to commit the necessary troops and hardware.
Hinting at possible conditions, Dr Habibie said the peacekeeping force would need to be established "in a way that would further enhance the effectiveness of our common effort to restore peace and security". The arrival of the first of several thousand peacekeepers – probably within two weeks – would be coupled with the withdrawal of some of the more than 20,000 Indonesian troops and police.
WITH the Indonesian army and Timorese militias on the rampage, now is the time for Australian unions to take action to stop the slaughter in East Timor. The announcement by the ACTU Executive on Wednesday 8 September of a "Campaign for Peace" is a great start.
Amongst other things, the ACTU has called on all affiliate members to take immediate action to:
Such a campaign could place immense pressure on the Indonesian Government.
Added to it should be a call to support the right of Timorese refugees to seek residence in Australia and most importantly that the Australian Government cut all military ties with Indonesia, that it reject Indonesia's claim to sovereignty over Timor, and that it recognise Timor's immediate demand for recognition as an independent nation state.
It's also clear that the union campaign under way now is practical and achievable. Already the MUA has black-banned goods going to and from Indonesia, just as it did to win Indonesia itself its independence from the Dutch in the 1940s. Transport workers have blacked Garuda flights in Melbourne. Thousands of unionists have marched on the streets alongside Timorese demanding freedom for Timor NOW!
More action of this type would not only be a massive boost to the Timorese struggle. It does of course also involve taking a stand against our own Government, since all industrial action of this type is ILLEGAL under Peter Reith's legislation (that's even before his vicious "second wave" legislation is ushered in through Parliament). But would the arch union-buster take legal action against unions making a stand for Timorese freedom? Not if, as Jennie George has said, "Any employer who seeks to penalise workers for participating in the campaign will be opposed by the whole union movement".
For updates of union action to support the Timorese struggle for freedom, see the ACTU website: http://www.actu.asn.au/campaigns/timor/index.htm
The next meeting of the Defend Our Unions Committee, which is currently organising a campaign to fight against the Howard Government's repressive "second wave" industrial relations legislation is at the Paddington Workers Club (2 Latrobe Terrace) on Monday 20 September at 7pm.
For more information, email defendourunions@solidarity.infoshop.org.au or phone Melissa on 3371 0797. Postal address: Defend Our Unions Committee, c/o Solidarity Infoshop, 264 Barry Parade, Fortitude Valley Q 4006
Amnesty and the British Coalition for East Timor (PO Box 2349, London E1 3HX) held a protest outside the Indonesian Embassy London today (80 people; main demand - British gvt should put pressure on the Indonesian gvt to ratify the referendum result and accept a UN peacekeeping force).
Other actions:
Other events see the British Coalition for East Timor web site.
Contact Tapol - 0181 771 2904 or tapol@gn.apc.org
There are a number of local protests being organised. Please help/join in.
JAKARTA -- On September 9, the People's Democratic Party (PRD) joined with other pro-democracy forces in a demonstration of about 2000 people to oppose the proposed State Security Law, oppose martial law in East Timor and demand the withdrawal of Indonesia's military forces from East Timor.
At 1.45am on September 10, the national office of the PRD was firebombed. That day, the PRD issued a statement saying that, according to an eyewitness from the block security guard, the attack was made by unidentified people driving a blue car with registration number D 622 Z. The windows and walls of the office were extensively burned.
The PRD stated that the attack was carried out by thugs paid by the regime. It said that the firebombing was a response to the party's political activities, in particular its support for the East Timor independence forces' ballot victory and its protests against the proposed State Security Law.
The PRD said the terror would never stop its struggle for real democracy, and would strengthen its belief that “the New Order regime and its next generation should be resisted until its defeat”. The PRD can be e-mailed at prd@centrin.net.id.
From Green Left Weekly
SOLO -- On September 9, nearly 1000 students from dozens of student organisations in several Indonesian provinces
converged on this Central Java city to protest against the planned visit of President B.J. Habibie.
Despite Habibie's decision not to attend the opening of a national sports carnival, the National Student League for
Democracy (LMND) proceeded with a lively demonstration that marched on the city's Manahan Stadium. The action
coincided with a student strike in Jakarta, organised by Jakarta-based student committees.
LMND was founded at a congress of student organisations held July 9-12 in Bogor. Twenty-eight student committees are
affiliated to LMND, coming from 14 provinces on Sumatra, Java, Sulawesi, Bali and Lombok.
Mohammed Sofian, president of LMND, explained to Green Left Weekly that LMND is committed to campaigning for an
end to Indonesia's New Order dictatorship.
“We are not just against the oppression of Indonesian people by the New order government, but against all oppression”, he
said. “LMND is an anti-capitalist organisation. We seek to end oppression wherever it exists.”
Simon, head of the LMND's department of organisational development, added that LMND supports self-determination for
all people within Indonesia. “LMND calls on Habibie to give independence to East Timor and to give the people of Aceh
and West Papua a referendum on independence”, he said.
“LMND is committed to building democracy throughout Indonesian society”, explained Riki, head of the LMND's
education and propaganda department. “We seek to build solidarity between workers, students, peasants and urban poor.
We are committed to ending militarism in our society, and to this end the campaign against dual function [the military's role
in politics] is a central priority.”
Taking up the demands for Habibie's resignation and an end to the dual function, LMND activists gathered outside a junior
high school in central Solo, where they were joined by dozens of high school activists. As the march made its way towards
the centre of town, onlookers eagerly received copies of a leaflet prepared by the LMND in conjunction with three
Solo-based student committees.
Around 400 metres from the Manahan Stadium protesters, now numbering about 1000, found their way blocked by police
in riot gear, backed up by a contingent from Kodim (regular armed forces). While LMND leaders sought to negotiate a way
through, protesters maintained chants and songs demanding an end to militarism. Student activists representing committees
from many provinces explained the demands and focus of the demonstration to the hundreds of spectators who gathered.
During the one-hour stand-off, spectators began to voice their anger at the police for refusing to allow students to
demonstrate freely. Student activists on the speaking platform also directed their speeches to the police and military
present, condemning the New Order regime and its militarism.
The demonstrators began to prepare for what appeared to be a likely confrontation with police, but finally the police
backed off and allowed demonstrators to pass.
The demonstration proceeded, with clearly massive support from onlookers. Around 200 metres from the stadium it was
joined by a contingent of about 100 members of the Solo branch of the People's Democratic Party (PRD). Protesters
maintained a spirited action outside the stadium for around an hour, finishing with songs of struggle against the regime.
September 9th
Considering:
1. That the May 5 Tripartite agreement placing security in East Timor in the hands of Indonesia has brought the East Timorese people to the edge of extermination;
2. That the responsibility for security and order given to the Indonesian government and security apparatus has not been carried according to the expectations of the international community;
3. That the presence of the Indonesian National Army (TNI) and Police (POLRI) in East Timor is worsening the situation with more civilians losing their lives;
4. That the TNI and Police have misused their authority and have taken sides with the militia to massacre and to carry out a scorched earth ;
5. That the Military Emergency that the Indonesian government has declared is a purely cosmetic measure. This measure is aimed at isolating the Timorese people in their own country with the aim of being able to organise another referendum under the supervision of Asian Pacific nations and not the UN.
6. That the refugees crossing the East Timorese border are not doing so voluntarily, especially not the pro-independence East Timorese people, but are being forced to do so by the TNI and POLRI and that the East Timorese people are not being afforded protection from any quarter
STANCE
Based on these considerations the PST Delegation based in Jakarta states on behalf of the PST Central Committee:
1. Rejects the presence of the Indonesian military in East Timor as they are responsible for all the massacres an d the total destruction of East Timor and its people;
2. That the responsibility for security that was given to the Indonesian government, in particular the TNI and POLRI, should be withdrawn as this situation is providing the opportunity for these forces to wreak revenge for the losses that they perceive they have suffered in East Timor;
3. Condemns the antidemocratic, and unsportive attitude of the pro-autonomy forces that have been backed up by the TNI and POLRI;
4. Condemns all forms of killings systematic destruction being carried out by the TNI, Police and militia against the East Timorese people;
5. Condemns all forms of violence and coercion used by the TNI and POLRI against the East Timorese people to force them to leave their homeland;
6. Condemns the revenge being carried out by the TNI, Police and Militia following their defeat I n the referendum;
Demands:
The above stands leads us to make the following demands:
1. That the UN and international community take firm, speedy and effective measures to force Indonesia, the TNI and POLRI to withdraw from East Timor and disband the militias;
2. To carry out economic and diplomatic sanctions against Indonesia if the violence and massacres continue;
3. To carry out the UN ultimatum to send an International Peacekeeping Force because the 48 hours have passed without any improvement in the situation, instead the killings are more rampant and there are more refugees flooding across the border and the infrastructure of East Timor is being subjected to total paralysis;
4. That the Portuguese government be held responsible for the danger and destruction being inflicted on the East Timorese people because they signed the May 5 agreement which is bring the destruction of the East Timorese people;
5. that Portugal use all diplomatic means to convince the countries grouped in NATO to force Indonesia, its TNI and POLRI to withdraw from East Timor in order to protect the East Timorese nation which is threatened by the violence and killings of TNI POLRI and militia in the region.
6. that all the humanitarian NGOs under the auspices of the UN (such as the UNHCR and others) render full assistance to the East Timorese refugees so that all their basic needs, such as food and medicines and medical teams be met, so that they can fully recover and finally return to their homes.
Jakarta, 9 September 1999
PST Delegation in Jakarta
Antonio Lopes, Chairperson.
An ACTU meeting of affiliates today called upon the ACTU, Labour Councils and all affiliates to undertake a "Campaign for Peace" in East Timor.
The Campaign for Peace will include the following :
ACTU affiliates today expressed their horror at the tragedy which is occurring to the East Timorese people. ACTU president Jennie George said that having struggled to achieve a right to independence and voting so strongly in favour of freedom the East Timorese people find themselves confronted by a murderous minority backed up by the Indonesian security forces who are terrorising, killing and destroying their society.
'The ACTU congratulates the unions which have already acted in support of the East Timorese people.
'We believe that the community at large shares our grave concern at the atrocities being committed in East Timor. All Australians, including employees and employers, should be prepared to actively support the Campaign for Peace.
'Any employer who seeks to penalise workers for participating in the campaign will be opposed by the whole union movement,' said Ms George. The campaign will be under the control of the ACTU Officers/Executive and will continue until clear evidence emerges that peace and security has been restored for the Timorese people.
More info:http://www.actu.asn.au/
UNION bans sparked by outrage at events in East Timor have immediately affected ships with Australian products bound for Indonesia.
The Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) had placed bans on the Bunga Teratai 3 in Sydney and the Cape Horn in Newcastle, MUA New South Wales secretary Robert Coombs said today.
The Bunga Teratai 3 had been held up for little more than half an hour in Sydney but was allowed to sail when its owners, MISC, gave an undertaking that 16 containers bound for Indonesia would be offloaded at Fremantle, Western Australia.
MUA members in Newcastle had refused to load produce bound for Indonesia aboard the Cape Horn, although other produce was being loaded on the ship, Mr Coombs said.
"We believe we are putting in place effective bans for reasons I'm sure I don't have to describe, and will continue to try and monitor the situation and take a sensible approach.
"The fact of the matter is that while the bloodshed and all that sort of thing continues over in East Timor we'll be putting bans in place if we can identify cargo that's bound for Indonesia, or, of course, Indonesian vessels," Mr Coombs said.
Western Australia MUA official Ross Storer said another MISC ship, the Bunga Teratai 2, was due in Fremantle this evening and a decision would be made about whether its cargo should be the subject of a ban.
A Queensland MUA official said about 30 containers bound for Indonesia had been offloaded from the Chekiang in Brisbane and the ship was expected to sail without them.
THE anger of ordinary Australians towards the violence in East Timor reverberated around the nation yesterday.
Community leaders were taken by surprise by the strength of feeling – perhaps best encapsulated by the man who called talkback radio to say he had travelled from the NSW Central Coast for the sole purpose of voicing his protest at the Indonesian consulate in Sydney. When he found no one there, he wrote a note and attached it to the door.
Also in Sydney, East Timorese joined unionists and agencies such as Amnesty International in a protest outside the UN information office. They then marched to the opening of the State Parliament and on to John Howard's office, winding up outside Garuda Airlines, where police prevented a planned sit-in. The crowd swelled to more than 1000 as passersby joined the rally, police said.
"What is the world waiting for? What is the Australian Government waiting for? What else should we give for the international community to act to save our brothers and sisters in East Timor?" said Joao Carrascalao, the Australian head of the pro-independence National Council of East Timorese Resistance.
Libby Anderson, 55, a financial officer who joined the crowd after hearing the noise, said she rarely participated in protests: "We have got some responsibility. It's just horrendous to think we have got genocide happening on our doorstep," she said.
Unions escalated action against Indonesian targets. Wharfies banned work on Indonesian ships and Melbourne unionists stopped freight services to Garuda.
Last night the air freight dispute escalated, with an internal Qantas memo revealing the airline had been contacted by Indonesian authorities advising that any industrial action taken against Garuda would be reciprocated against Australian flights.
Qantas also warned its Melbourne freight employees it would not pay them during "disruptive action" and threatened legal action under the Workplace Relations Act.
Victorian Trades Hall Council secretary Leigh Hubbard said an ACTU meeting today would consider bans on post and communications, import of pulp and paper products and use of Indonesian building materials. The ACTU would also plan embassy protests.
The volume of member anger over the treatment of East Timorese by Indonesian forces had taken the union movement by surprise, Mr Hubbard said. "A lot of these members are ahead of the leadership on this one." The Australian Nursing Federation's Victorian branch urged nurses not to travel to Bali, a popular holiday spot for members.
A Melbourne travel agent took Bali brochures off his shelves and refused to sell Garuda tickets. Harvey World Travel franchisee Barry Huxley said his two suburban outlets were boycotting Indonesian products.
Monday 6 September 1999
No. 02/B/KPP-PRD/Sta./IX/'99
The Direct Ballot on whether the East Timorese accept or reject the proposed special autonomy announced in the UN Headquarter in New York and the UNAMET Headquarter on Saturday, September 4, 1999 resulted in 344,580 votes (78.5%) rejecting proposed special autonomy for its separation from Indonesia. While the rest 94.388 votes (21.5%) accepting the proposed autonomy and be part of the Unitary States of the Republic of Indonesia. This result has clearly indicated how the majority of the people of East Timor want to become an independent nation, like the option agreed in the New York Agreement:
OR
With such a result, we the People's Democratic Party states:
a. We congratulate the majority of the East Timorese who reject the proposed special autonomy and vote for their independence from Indonesia. The East Timorese deserve such congratulation and support, as the terror and intimidation for the last six months was not able their spirit of struggle for their independence.
b. Call for all sides to respect the result of the Direct Ballot and the choice of the majority of the East Timorese people for their independence. In terms of de jure and de facto we have to support the independence of the East Timorese they expressed in the result of the Direct Ballot.
c. Push the Habibie administration to recognise the result of the Direct Ballot and respect the choice of the East Timorese people for independence. The Indonesian government does not need to wait for the next stage namely the Parliamentary General Assembly (Sidang Umum MPR). The Parliamentary General Assembly has no right to determine the future of the East Timorese. The authority of the Parliamentary General Assembly is to pull out or abolish the law on the integration of East Timor with Indonesia.
d. Call for Indonesian Government to obey the New York Agreement in keeping the security in East Timor, that those responsible for it from the Indonesia side is only the police. There must be immediate withdrawal of the military forces as the Direct Ballot is announced. (Article 5, Memorandum UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, May 4 1999)
e. Call for Indonesia Government to stop all kinds of support to the pro integration militia.
f. Push the Indonesian Government to withdraw all military personnel as soon as possible and stop sending military units to East Timor.
g. Ask for the United Nations to immediately send the peace keeping forces to East Timor for guaranteeing the safety of the East Timorese.
The people united will never be defeated!!!
Jakarta, September 6, 1999
Central Leadership Committee PRD
Faisol Riza, Chairman
Ida Nassim Mh, Secretary
Peoples Democratic Party (KPP-PRD)
Jl. Jend. Basuki Rahmat No. 7B, Cipinang Muara
Jakarta INDONESIA 13420
Tel: 021-8561542/9113801
Fax: 021-8561542
E-mail: prd@centrin.net.id
The 79% vote for independence in East Timor is a magnificent victory for the people. Despite threats of "a sea of blood", the people stood up for their rights. Most of the 21% of the autonomy vote was due to the terror. The realsentiment for independence in closer to 90 or 95%.
Before and during the official campaign, volunteers from the student councils, NGOs and the political parties carried out a massive door-to-door campaign. Many East Timorese also signed up to work for UNAMET - some lost their lives as a result. CNRT, FRETILIN, the various student groups and eventhe Socialist Party of Timor (PST) were able to set up open offices as centres of activity. In addition, more than 100,000 CNRT flags and posters of Xanana Gusmao were distributed. Mass mobilisations were organised around events such as the opening of the CNRT office and the anniversary of FALINTIL, the largest involving tens of thousands of youth.
The 79% vote is a real blow to the TNI's plans. The Habibie regime has already been forced to announce its acceptance of the vote and the impending release of Xanana Gusmao and some generals have even started openly discussing the timing of the arrival of armed UN police. The vote is also a defeat for the chauvinistic hopes of figures like Megawati, who has defended the legality of the 1975 invasion. But now many elements of all the political elite in Jakarta are squealing that UNAMET was biased. A chauvinistic campaign against the UN may provide a distraction away from the deep economic austerity planned for Indonesia.
This referendum victory has been won at a high cost in lives and societal damage. The May UN brokered agreement left security in the hands of the criminals themselves, the TNI. Even as the TNI-armed militias massacred people, there was still no real pressure applied on Jakarta to disband these terror gangs. For Washington and Canberra, a free and fair referendum in East Timor was a secondary prriority compared to ensuring that the TNI suffered the minimum humiliation in the process. They know that a strong TNI is going to be needed to suppress resistance to the terrible austerity programme that the IMF has in store for Indonesia.
The Howard government's, and the ALP's, remonstrations about the militias are words not backed up by deeds. Let nobody forget the 25 years of unconditional support given by Canberra to the Suharto dictatorship's illegal occupation of East Timor. In fact, if the Australian government had given diplomatic recognition to the Democratic Republic of East Timor proclaimed in November 1975 and called upon other governments to do likewise, East Timor would probably never have suffered the 200,000 dead that the Indonesian invasion brought about.
There are two phases still for the East Timorese to pass through.
Firstly, the transition from an Indonesian administration to a UN administration. The TNI and the chauvinists will try to sabotage this and inflict as much damage as possible. The militias are still burning, killing, terrorising, still armed and assisted by the TNI. Xanana Gusmao has warned of another genocide.
The solidarity movement must revive its campaigns to demand that Indonesian troops leave East Timor immediately and the Indonesian government and parliament formally give up sovereignty over East Timor and surrender it to the UN. The Australian government must apply real pressure by ending all military ties with Jakarta.
Secondly, there must be the transition from a UN administration to an independent East Timorese administration, where new issues of political and social struggle will emerge and new forms of solidarity will be necessary.
The Indonesian Military is behind the militias attacks on the UN and on pro-independence East Timorese. They want to drive out all foreign observers so that a thorough attack on pro-independence activists and on the population as a whole, can be waged. The Indonesian government can then "reinvade" East Timor with force, claiming to put an end to the civil war...
The UN, Australia and the US have been playing down the Indonesian military and militia link, and their violence, because they are firm friends with the brutal Suharto/Habbibie regime.
A huge outpouring of people's anger in Australia, will put the pressure on the Australian government to stop military aid to Indonesia, stop training of Indonesian troops (joint military exercises have just started for this year somewhere near Darwin) and show the Indonesian government that the world community will organise against it's attacks on the Timorese. Lets not allow another 200,000 East Timorese to be killed!
We demand: stop the killings in East Timor; Indonesian troops out now; no military ties with the Indonesian regime.
Please come along.