Tsunami and Aceh self-determination

BRISBANE — A Socialist Alliance forum on February 8 screened videos on the history and current stage of the Acehnese national liberation movement, and heard two speakers recount stories of recent upheavals and past conflict.

Coral Wynter discussed the politics of Australian foreign aid in Aceh and other parts of Asia following the recent tsunami disaster. She pointed out that the Coalition government was trying to utilise its $1 billion aid package to rebuild links with the Indonesian military.

Adrian Skerritt, who recently met with representatives of the Acehnese independence movement, outlined the history of the Acehnese struggle for self-determination. He urged Australian socialists to support the Acehnese people's fight for national self-determination against both the Indonesian military and the intervention of the Australian and US governments.

Jim McIlroy

From Green Left Weekly, February 16, 2005.

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From GLW issue 615