By Sarah Peart
On March 24, seven East Timorese youth were shot dead and 42 wounded, four severely, during a peaceful demonstration inside the Mahkota Hotel in Dili. The 200-strong rally of students from the University of East Timor had been waiting to speak to the United Nations special envoy for East Timor, Jamsheed Marker.
After students entered the hotel, soldiers quickly surrounded it and attacked and shot at students, using guns fitted with silencers.
The socialist youth organisation Resistance is calling a national week of action to protest against Indonesia's occupation of East Timor and the dictatorial rule of President Suharto. From May 17 to 24 activists will hold pickets and public forums to publicise the plight of the East Timorese.
The main slogans are "Free East Timor! Democracy for Indonesia!" and "End Australian support for Suharto!". The Australian government will come under the spotlight as activists demand that it cancel the Timor Gap Treaty, end military ties with Indonesia, let the East Timorese refugees stay and urge the Indonesian government to free the political prisoners.
The Australian government plays a crucial role in supporting the Suharto dictatorship and, as a consequence, its annexation of East Timor. This is important to ensure that big business's profits are maintained.
The Timor Gap Treaty is the clearest example of the Australian government's motives: the potential for massive profits from the oil in the Timor Gap. This is the backbone of the firm relationship Australian governments have with Indonesia, ever since the Whitlam government's complicity in the 1975 invasion of East Timor.
The Howard government spends more than $3 million per year training Indonesian troops. Since 1992, there have been at least eight Australian military exercises with Indonesia.
The Australian government still denies more than 1350 East Timorese refugees permission to stay in Australia. Having escaped a war that the Australian government has had a hand in, they are now threatened with deportation and the possibility of death if they are returned.
Not only are East Timorese persecuted for defying Indonesia's presence in their country, but democracy activists in Indonesia are also the targets of repression. Currently on trial for subversion (which covers almost any action against the government) are activists from the People's Democratic Party and the president of the independent trade union, PPBI, Dita Sari.
Resistance branches around the country are planning actions and events in the week. They will include banner drops, public meetings, speak-outs, band nights, poster campaigns and Green Left Weekly campaigning stalls. May 24 is an international day of solidarity, and all Resistance branches are organising actions and rallies in city centres and malls.
Already, there has been a lot of interest in the solidarity week. The East Timorese youth group RJNT, university clubs such as the University Students for East Timor at Melbourne University, student organisations such as the Wollongong University SRC and ASIET, Action in Solidarity with Indonesia and East Timor, will all take part.
For further information contact your local Resistance branch or the national office on 9690 1230.