Solidarity with Indonesia
By Sean Healy
Three days of solidarity with the people of Indonesia have been called for May 28-30 under the slogan “Stop supporting the dictator Suharto”.
The diplomatic support offered by the Australian government is important for the Suharto regime as it becomes increasingly isolated.
Minister for foreign affairs Alexander Downer has issued statements which seek to provide the regime with an alibi for repression and killings, calling on anti-Suharto protesters to show “restraint”.
A particular focus for the days of solidarity will be university campuses. Indonesian students have been at the forefront of the pro-democracy upsurge in recent weeks.
Emergency demonstrations and pickets have been called for next week in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide in protest at the use of live ammunition by the regime.
The days of solidarity were initiated by Resistance with the aim of strengthening a broad student coalition in support of the Indonesian people.
Resistance member and Sydney Uni Student Representative Council vice-president Marina Carman stated, ““This is not just some far-off issue with little relevance to people in Australia. The federal government are up to their necks in assisting this regime.
“It is important that student organisations do take a strong stand in this country and that we support our brothers and sisters in Indonesia.”
[Sean Healy is the national coordinator of Resistance.]
