PRD representative in Melbourne

By John Nebauer

MELBOURNE -- About 70 people attended an emergency public meeting called by Action in Solidarity with Indonesia and East Timor on May 21. The meeting, held at the Resistance Centre, was addressed by Edwin Gozal, international representative of the banned People's Democratic Party (PRD), and Vannessa Hearman, Melbourne coordinator of ASIET.

Gozal spoke on the events leading up to the resignation of Suharto. He emphasised that while Suharto's resignation was a historic victory for the Indonesian people, the new Habibie government constituted “Suhartoism without Suharto”.

Gozal said that real democracy in Indonesia required the removal of the five political laws, the freeing of all political prisoners and immediate free elections. He added that self-determination for East Timor had to be immediately placed on the table.

Hearman emphasised the importance of continued solidarity with the democracy struggle. She said that the Australian government should withdraw its support for the Indonesian government until real democratic reforms had been won.

Gozal's tour included a very successful press conference at the Victorian Trades Hall Council. Earlier in the day, he gave a speech at a CFMEU rally which was very well received.

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