Indonesians support national East Timor day

By Max Lane

SPRIM (Indonesian People in Solidarity with the Struggle of the Maubere People), has added its name to those supporting the national day of solidarity for East Timor. The action has been called to focus attention on the Australian government's legal recognition of Indonesia's annexation of East Timor.

The Fraser Liberal government gave de jure recognition to Indonesia's take over on December 22, 1978. This was reaffirmed on August 18, 1985, by the Hawke Labor government.

SPRIM participated in the joint East Timorese-Indonesian protest actions at the Dutch and Russian embassies in December 1995. The actions were carried out on the 20th anniversary of Jakarta's invasion of East Timor.

In a message sent to Action in Solidarity with Indonesia and East Timor (ASIET), one of the groups participating in the August 25 protests, SPRIM stated that its support was part of reinforcing solidarity between Indonesians, Australians and East Timorese.

The national day of solidarity was originally proposed for August 18. However, after the March 2 federal elections, a new call was issued by Jose Ramos Horta, special representative of CNRM, Estanislau da Silva from Fretilin, Joao Carrascalao from the Timorese Democratic Union, representatives of Australia East Timor Association (NSW), Christians in Solidarity with East Timor (CISET) and ASIET for the actions to be moved to August 25.

Some solidarity activists had earlier expressed concern that ALP supporters, who may be rethinking their party's record and wish to join a campaign to reverse its position, might find it difficult to support an action on the anniversary of Labor's decision to reaffirm de jure recognition.

From GLW issue 224