-Caveat Lector- ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Wed, 22 Sep 1999 01:29:55 -0400 From: DAMN <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: DAMN: 19-SEP-1999: Indonesian Unionists Back East Timor Freedom Struggle Title: Indonesian Unionists Back East Timor Freedom Struggle Date: 19-SEP-1999 Author: National Front for Indonesian Labour Struggle: Dita Indah Sari, Ilham Syah Source: <[EMAIL PROTECTED], DAMN's labor topic specialist Style: Statement Reference: www.peg.apc.org/~asiet The following statement was sent to ACTION IN SOLIDARITY WITH INDONESIA AND EAST TIMOR - ASIET The ballot, offered as a way to resolve the 24-year old crisis in East Timor has been completed. The results show that the Timorese people reject the special autonomy offered by the Indonesian government and have chosen to be a free nation. The Timorese struggle to be a free nation have gone on for many centuries against Portuguese colonialism and then against the militaristic Indonesian government. They have paid a high price, both physically and materially to wage that struggle. The Indonesian military invasion since 1975 has cost more than 200,000 lives and led to many human rights abuses including beatings and rapes. The international community's response to the military acts of Indonesia depended on the Cold War interests of each country at the time. After the ballot was completed and a series massacres of pro-independence forces, UN staff and journalists by pro-integration militia members (supported by Indonesian military and police) commenced, the international community has again taken a position on the issue of East Timor. In this case, the international community has condemned the Indonesian government who are thought of as no longer able to provide security in the territory. Condemnation and international pressure has come from Australia from its government and through the call for bans on Indonesian products by Australian trade unions. In one instance, there was even the incident of flag burning at a demonstration outside an Indonesian consulate. The response to this by several forces was to retaliate and burn the Australian flag and to invade the Australian Embassy in Indonesia. These actions show the low level of understanding of the history of the struggle in East Timor and the shifting of the conflict from the massacres carried out in East Timor to a conflict between two countries. In responding to the situation that has arisen since the ballot in East Timor, the National Front for Indonesian Labour Struggle (FNBPI) hereby express: * Our full support for the results of the ballot in East Timor, as a reflection of the aspirations of the East Timorese to determine their own fate * Our condemnation of the anti democratic acts committed by the pro-autonomy forces of TNI and POLRI (Indonesian police) * Our condemnation of all acts of murder and destruction by TNI and POLRI committed against the innocent civilians of East Timor * Our condemnation of all acts of violence by TNI and POLRI which have driven out the Timorese from their own country The FNPBI therefore demand: * Immediate withdrawal of TNI and POLRI from East Timor * Disbanding of militias which are supported and armed by TNI and POLRI * Formation and entry of international peacekeeping forces into East Timor * That all forces to respect the results of the ballot which is a reflection of the aspirations of the Timorese * End to all support given by the Indonesian government to the militias * End to the sending of Indonesian security forces to East Timor We declare our full support for all the solidarity actions and strikes conducted by trade unions worldwide. We call on the international community, especially the workers to maintain pressure on the Indonesian government through strikes/industrial action, economic sanctions and other forms of pressure. Jakarta 11 September 1999 National Front for Indonesian Labour Struggle Dita Indah Sari, Chairperson Ilham Syah, General Secretary For more information, contact: Action In Solidarity with Indonesia and East Timor (ASIET) www.peg.apc.org/~asiet Australia Asia Worker Links PO Box 264 Fitzroy Victoria 3065 Australia Phone:: 03 9419 5045 Fax: 03 9416 2746 E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] This is the DAMN News Email list http://damn.tao.ca To unsubscribe, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Asking to: unsubscribe damn ***DAMN DISCLAIMER - IMPORTANT PLEASE NOTE*** DAMN receives many unsolicited reports and tries but can not verify all information contained within. DAMN therefore disclaims responsibility for the information in this message and urges you to contact the reporter personally for further verification. DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance—not soapboxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory', with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credeence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. 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