By Edwin Gozal
A new magazine, Free Indonesia, was launched during the Asia Pacific Solidarity Conference. The publication is intended to provide a background to the Indonesian people's fight against the Suharto dictatorship, and the role the People's Democratic Party (PRD) and other pro-democratic groups are playing in this struggle. It also seeks to highlight developments in the fight for self-determination in East Timor.
Free Indonesia, a quarterly, is published by the international department of the PRD in cooperation with the PRD's education and information department and Action in Solidarity with Indonesia and East Timor (ASIET) in Australia.
It aims to build solidarity between the pro-democracy forces in Indonesia and the international community. International solidarity has always been crucial in the struggles of oppressed people throughout the world, whether in South Africa, Nicaragua or Indonesia.
The lead article by Nico Warouw, the PRD's general representative, who is based in the Netherlands, explains that, despite the growing anti-dictatorship sentiment, "The absence of a strong democratic movement is the reason the opposition has not been able to topple the regime".
"Nevertheless", Warouw continues, "initiatives to build a united front against the dictatorship have got underway". He argues that the main task of such an anti-Suharto coalition is "to create more democratic decisions under which all people are encouraged to participate in forming a democratic Indonesia".
Other articles include: Who will benefit from the IMF bail-out?; How the currency crisis is hitting the poor; What's wrong with the Indonesian opposition; and an interview with jailed PRD leader Budiman Sujatmiko.
Another important aspect of Free Indonesia is its international diary, where solidarity activists can find, in summary form, PRD solidarity initiatives being taken around the world.
In order to be able to produce this Free Indonesia regularly, we need your support. The second issue is scheduled for June. Suggestions, feedback and financial contributions are welcome. To contact Free Indonesia, e-mail <prdint1@peg.apc.org>; fax: 61-2-9690 1381 or PO Box 458, Broadway 2007 NSW, Australia.
[Edwin Gozal is the Asia Pacific representative for the People's Democratic Party.]