By Jill Hickson
SYDNEY -- Action in Solidarity with Indonesia and East Timor (ASIET) is planning a national activists' conference on August 22-24 to discuss strategies to build solidarity with the struggles for democracy in Indonesia and for self-determination in East Timor.
Titled “Indonesia, East Timor: An Agenda for Solidarity Action”, the conference, to be held at the University of Technology, Sydney, is aimed at drawing in a range of political activists, including members of the East Timorese and Indonesian communities.
The conference kicks off on August 22 with a public meeting at Sydney University titled “Indonesia: Free the Political Prisoners; East Timor: Let the Refugees Stay”.
The meeting will also launch the regional tour of Naldo Rai, an activist and author from East Timor, and Edwin Gozal, a leading member of the People's Democratic Party (PRD) from Indonesia. Gozal will speak on the outcome of the recent elections and the trials and imprisonment of numerous PRD leaders.
Other speakers will include a representative from ASIET and from the sanctuary network, a group pledging to hide East Timorese refugees if the government follows through on threats to deport them to Portugal. The evening will include a video segment and music from Naldo Rai.
Feature talks over the two days will include “Prospects for Indonesia in 1998” and “Organising Indonesia and East Timor solidarity”.
Workshops include: the political spectrum in Indonesia; West Papua, the struggle today; Australia-Jakarta-East Timor relations; the PRD's program; workers' conditions and organising in Indonesia; the history of the East Timor resistance; women and the struggle in East Timor and Indonesia; reviewing solidarity struggles; the environment as a struggle issue; organising a sanctuary movement; and campaigning to free the political prisoners.
Guest speakers and workshop leaders include Sister Kath O'Connor, Max Lane, George Aditjondro, Ed Aspinal, Tony Bourke and Estanislau da Silva.
The plenary session will discuss an agenda for action which, if adopted, will act as a guide for ASIET's solidarity work.
Two solidarity campaigns already under way will be highlighted during the conference. Since the sentencing of 13 PRD members charged with subversion, the campaign to free the political prisoners has entered a new stage and will be relaunched at a press conference with representatives from Parliamentarians for Democracy in Indonesia.
How to expand the campaign to let the East Timorese refugees stay, based on the sanctuary network, will also be discussed.
A cultural evening with the East Timorese community in Cabramatta has also been planned.
Anyone wishing to register can fill out the coupon on page 23 or contact their local ASIET committee for details.
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