Trade union appeal for East Timor
The Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) and the ACTU's overseas aid agency APHEDA have launched an urgent appeal to fund immediate and medium-term assistance for the people of East Timor, including vocational training and for the rebuilding of physical infrastructure. At present APHEDA is assisting with getting the much needed medical supplies to East Timor. The CFMEU's recent National Conference called on members to support the CFMEU/APHEDA East Timor Reconstruction Appeal. The union has adopted a multi-faceted approach to assisting the East Timorese, which includes: direct participation by union activists in humanitarian work and rebuilding in East Timor; specific building and development projects in co-operation with major building, mining and manufacturing companies; direct donations; assistance in the development of free and independent trade unions. The situation is extremely desperate after 24 years of brutal occupation followed by the deliberate destruction of social and physical infrastructure and forced relocation of hundreds of thousands of people since the announcement of the UN-sponsored referendum on independence. Xanana welcome There was great emotion in Dili as Xanana Gusmao, the leader of the East Timorese and commander of resistance forces Falintil, was welcomed on his return to East Timor after years of imprisonment and house arrest in Indonesia. His triumphant return and warm welcome is a tribute to the role Falintil have played in the struggle for independence. One of the first things that Xanana did on his return was to visit Falintil fighters outside Dili. It is the courage and determination of these fighters, supported by the whole population, which upset not only the Indonesian military's plans but the callous machinations of many Western political leaders. The situation in East Timor continues to be aggravated by the military actions of the pro-Indonesian militias but the INTERFET forces are providing a measure of security. There is understandably also much grief because during the dark era of occupation a third of East Timor's population was wiped out, reported the Campaign for an Independent East Timor (CIET). "The sad reality is that the killing may not be over. INTERFET has reported seeing armed militia groups crossing the border from West Timor into East Timor. "In addition, there are reports that the island of Flores could also become prominent in a clandestine war against East Timor. There are 7,500 Indonesian troops on the island", said CIET (SA). The approach of Indonesia's new President Abdurrahman Wahid and Vice- President Megawati Soekarnoputri towards East Timor remains to be seen. Donations for the CFMEU/APHEDA East Timor Appeal should be sent to Box 3 Trades Hall, 4 Goulburn St, Sydney NSW 2000. Donations over $2 are tax deductible. For more details contact APHEDA: Phone: (02) 9264 9343; Fax: (02) 9261 1118; E-mail: apheda@labor.net.au Web: http://www.apheda.org.au