New Indonesia solidarity bulletin

By Max Lane

During the last 12 months, groups have been formed to build support for the increasingly active pro-democracy movement in Indonesia. Called AKSI (Aksi Solidaritas Indonesia — Indonesian Solidarity Action), they have been established in Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne, and it is hoped that a group may be formed soon in Perth.

To help keep activists and other interested people informed, AKSI is publishing a 12-page bulletin of news and reports of the progressive movement in Indonesia.

In the first issue, published this month, there are articles on the anti-Gulf War protests in Indonesia and a translation of the Indonesian Antiwar Committee's major statement opposing US interventionism — and also calling for referenda in Indonesia's own occupied areas, East Timor and West Papua.

There is also a statement from the progressive wing of the student movement on the anniversary of Human Rights Day, entitled "Development No, Liberation Yes".

The bulletin contains a full translation of an on-the-spot report of a women's movement demonstration protesting against the exclusion of poor village women from the city markets of the central Java city of Yogyakarta. And there are reports on two new progressive organisations, INFIGHT, the Indonesian Front for the Defence of Human Rights, and the free trade union, Setia Kawan (Solidarity).

It is planned to publish AKSI Bulletin at least 6 times a year. Subscriptions are $10. Contact your local AKSI group or write to AKSI Canberra, PO Box E60, Queen Victoria Terrace 2601.

From GLW issue 5