Five days of solidarity
Activists throughout Australia held actions in solidarity with the movements for democracy in Indonesia and freedom in East Timor. The marches, rallies, speak-outs and forums were part of five days of solidarity action on May 26-30.
The largest action took place in Sydney on May 30, reports Alana Kerr and Bec Conroy. Around 250 people attended a vibrant rally and march. Marchers targeted sites that symbolise Australian government and big business support for the Indonesian dictatorship, such as the defence department, BHP and Indonesia's Garuda Airlines. Outside the BHP office, the rally burned a copy of the 1995 military agreement between the Australian and Indonesian governments.
The Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) allowed the marchers to hang a banner on a prominent city building site. The rally raised more than $300 for the People's Power Fighting Fund through a mock auction of Suharto's multi-billion dollar business empire.
Speakers stressed the need to increase pressure on the Australian government to end ties with the corrupt Indonesian regime, now headed by B.J. Habibie. Tuni Bhattacharyya from Action in Solidarity with Indonesia and East Timor (ASIET) highlighted the Australian government's support of the Indonesian military through joint military exercises and arms supplies.
Edwin Gozal from the radical People's Democratic Party (PRD) of Indonesia explained that Suharto's resignation was not enough, and that the students would continue to struggle until real democracy was achieved. He urged solidarity activists to take up the demand that Suharto's assets in Australia be frozen until they are returned to the Indonesian people, via a democratically elected Indonesian government. Gozal called for self-determination for East Timor.
Harold Moucho from Fretilin said that Suharto should be put on trial for his crimes against humanity, including genocide against the East Timorese people. He demanded Indonesian troops immediately withdraw from East Timor, and all political prisoners, including Xanana Gusmao, be released.
Vic Slater from the Maritime Union and Lindsay Hawkins from the CFMEU pledged support for the Indonesian people's struggle on behalf of militant Australian trade unions. They spoke of the inspiration the Indonesian struggle gave to workers fighting austerity and the dictates of the International Monetary Fund worldwide.
Other participants included jazz musician and activist Vince Jones, Andy McNaughton from Australia East Timor Association, Rudi Peperkamp from Amnesty International, John Ondawane from the Free Papua Movement, and Damien Kahill from the National Union of Students (NUS).
Other Sydney events included forums at the University of Western Sydney, Sydney University and the University of NSW. A cultural evening was held at the Resistance Centre on May 30.
On May 20, to coincide with the massive Day of Awakening rallies in Indonesia, 60 Indonesian students and community members demonstrated outside the Indonesian consulate in Sydney's eastern suburbs. The protest was initiated by the solidarity group, Warung Nusantara. The protesters called for the beginning of a genuine reform process. Speakers included Indonesian dissident and academic George Aditjondro. The Indonesian consul general told the protesters he agreed with their demands for reform and promised to pass them on to the Indonesian embassy.
In Melbourne, reports Kylie Moon, 50 people rallied outside the GPO on May 29. Participants heard speakers from the Sanctuary Network, Fretilin, University Students for East Timor, Resistance and NUS. The rally was endorsed by 22 organisations including trade unions, student unions and community groups.
Vannessa Hearman from ASIET told the rally that Suharto's successor, Habibie, will not bring fundamental change such as self-determination for East Timor or the release of all political prisoners.
Forty people attended a Crisis in Indonesia public meeting in Lismore on May 27. Divo from Lismore Friends of East Timor reported on a recent visit to East Timor, and described the increasing hardship caused by the economic crisis.
A focus for solidarity activists in northern NSW has been the campaign against military ties with Indonesia. A number of activists are on trial in relation to a blockade of the Canungra army base last December. Ciaron O'Reilly from Catholic Workers in Brisbane discussed this campaign and presented a video on the British government's sale of warplanes to Indonesia.
Ema Corro reports from Canberra that as guests arrived at an Indonesian embassy banquet on May 29, 50 activists launched a 24-hour hunger strike to demand democracy in Indonesia. Jeremy Pynor, secretary of the ACT Trades and Labor Council, gave support. Protesters braved below zero temperatures to spend the night conducting educational workshops on the Indonesian and East Timorese struggles. The next morning, a memorial service was held for the Indonesian democracy activists killed in Medang on May 29. More than $700 was raised for the Free the Political Prisoners Fund.
In Newcastle, Alison Dellit told Green Left Weekly, 35 people rallied under the banner of True democracy for Indonesia. ASIET's Kerry Vernon spoke about the plight of the political prisoners in Indonesia, and the need for continuing action to win their release. Tati Hermes, an Indonesian student resident in Australia, declared that struggle for true democracy is not over.
The rally also heard from Newcastle University Students' Association representative Jamie Walker and Rico Aditjondro from Warung Nusantara. As a fire engine roared passed, drowning out the speakers, Rico pointed out that in Indonesia, such a siren would mean the approach of the military to break up a demonstration.
The rally attracted a number of Indonesians. One woman thanked all Australians who rallied in support of Indonesia's democracy movement. It was vital, she added, that people in Australia understand that Indonesia remains undemocratic under Habibie.
Fifty people rallied in Brisbane's King George Square on May 30 to demand an end to all Australian military ties with the dictatorship, freedom for all political prisoners, full democracy and self-determination for East Timor and West Papua. Speakers included Qld University of Technology lecturer Gary McLennan; East Timorese activist Alfonso Corte-Real; Drew Hutton from the Queensland Greens; Graham Mathews from the Democratic Socialist Party; Jody Betzien from Resistance; and Zanny Begg from NUS Qld. The protesters marched to the Defence Force Recruiting Centre.
Activists in Hobart on May 29 launched a 26-hour hunger strike outside state parliament. Forty people rallied to hear speakers from ASIET, the Hobart East Timor Committee, Resistance and the Democratic Socialists. State Labor MP John White also spoke. More than $300 was raided for the People's Power Fighting Fund.
Actions were also held in Adelaide, Darwin, Perth and Wollongong.