East Timor and Indonesia solidarity steps up

By Nick Fredman

SYDNEY — A range of groups promoting solidarity with the East Timorese struggle for self-determination are holding events over the next few weeks. These events are designed to help build the August 25 National Day of Solidarity, the central demand of which is for an end of Australia's legal recognition of Indonesia's annexation of East Timor.

The socialist youth organisation Resistance and the NSW branch of the National Union of Students have joined forces to promote East Timor solidarity among university students. A Free East Timor End Legal Recognition Cross Campus Committee has been set up, the first meeting of which is on May 16, at 6pm at the University of Technology.

The committee aims to organise a July-August tour of all NSW campuses by Indonesian student activist Nico Wahid, a member of Indonesian People in Solidarity with the Maubere People and Students in Solidarity with Democracy in Indonesia. Those interested in being involved should phone John Noland-Neyland on (02) 267 4463 or Wendy Robertson on (02) 690 1977.

A range of activities celebrating the East Timor liberation struggle and the life and work of imprisoned resistance leader Xanana Gusmao will be held on May 17, the anniversary of Xanana's 1993 defence speech, at the NSW Writers' Centre on Rozelle Hospital grounds. Organised by the East Timor Relief Association and the Australia East Timor Association, the activities start at 2.30pm and include a craft exhibition, the launch of a book of Xanana's defence statement and a performance by East Timorese band Reggae Temptation. Phone Agio Pereira on (02) 891 5861 or Jefferson Lee on (02) 310 4510 for more information.

The NSW branch of the East Timorese resistance organisation Fretilin is holding a dinner to celebrate the 22nd anniversary of the formation of Fretilin on May 18 from 7pm at the White Eagle Hall, Cabramatta. A theme of the dinner will be building the August 25 campaign. Phone Harold Moucho on (02) 797 8717.

The Indonesian democracy movement is being promoted in the Indonesian community by Action in Solidarity with Indonesia and East Timor (ASIET), which is holding a public meeting in Indonesian on May 19, 5pm at the Addison Road Community Centre, Marrickville, to be addressed by dissident Indonesian academic Dr George Aditjondro.

ASIET is also distributing an information sheet on the danger of the Indonesian nuclear industry and has scheduled a public meeting on Australian involvement and the role of the Indonesian democratic and environment movements. The meeting will be held on June 5, World Environment Day, at 6.30pm at the Newtown Neighbourhood Centre.

A focus for activists around Australia and internationally will be an academic conference June 21-24 entitled "East Timor — its future in the Asia-Pacific" at the University of Technology. The June 5 ASIET meeting will be attended by many East Timorese and Indonesian guests. Phone (02) 690 1032 for more information.

From GLW issue 231