Solidarity with students in East Timor
By Minh Tan
MELBOURNE — Last month I travelled to East Timor as part of a six-member student delegation, which had the support of the National Union of Students, solidarity groups and East Timorese youth in Australia.
We met students from the University of East Timor, many of whom were involved in the clandestine movement. Some students have joined Falintil, the armed resistance, to fight against the Indonesian occupation.
We spoke to a guerilla fighter who had been beaten and tortured by the military for participating in a student demonstration. He was forced to leave the city and join the armed resistance in the mountains.
The students told us that the Indonesian armed forces carried out night attacks in Dili in January which led to deaths and arrests. Young Timorese, including those who protected Bishop Belo during an assassination attempt on his return from the Nobel ceremony in December, were the main targets
The students expressed disappointment over the support of successive Australian governments for the Suharto regime. They were interested in learning of solidarity campaigns in Australia and around the world. The students and the resistance movement also need practical assistance, particularly medicines and food.
Timorese students and staff explained that the university is under-resourced: their basic needs include books, typewriters, computers and scholarship funds.
Graduates face problems finding jobs commensurate with their qualifications because East Timorese are discriminated against by Indonesian authorities. Most students who wish to attain higher education are unable to do so because of financial constraints.
University Students for East Timor is planning to organise and provide some of the support requested by the Timorese students. Those interested in helping out should contact USET via Box 40, Fourth Floor, Melbourne University Student Union, Parkville 3052.