FED: ACTU threatens to act against Indonesia over Timor

AAP General News (Australia)
04-30-1999
FED: ACTU threatens to act against Indonesia over Timor

MELBOURNE, April 30 AAP - The ACTU today vowed to take industrial action against Indonesian
interests unless Jakarta immediately brings escalating violence in East Timor under control.

A Melbourne meeting of ACTU affiliates also said the Australian government must be willing
to declare Indonesian Embassy personnel in Australia as persona non grata and cease all forms
of military cooperation with Indonesia.

It called on Australia to increase pressure on Indonesia to disarm anti-independence
militia groups allegedly backed by the Indonesian armed forces and responsible for a recent
spate of killings.

The meeting said East Timorese people must be allowed a vote on the territory's future, due
on August 8, that was free of intimidation and violence.

The Indonesian government has agreed to offer East Timor autonomous status within Indonesia
but if that's rejected, it has agreed to cut the former Portuguese colony free, to become an
independent nation.

The August 8 autonomy ballot is to be supervised by civilian police including Australian
Federal Police under UN control.

The ACTU said that as well as UN-supervised police, there should be a UN peacekeeping force
"to ensure the integrity of the ballot".

"In the event that the violence in East Timor continues and is not immediately brought
under control by the Indonesian authorities, the trade union movement should take wider
action, including industrial action, in support of the East Timorese people," an ACTU
statement said.

The Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU) has already foreshadowed moves by
Australian workers to boycott servicing Garuda aircraft during stops in Australia, and the
Maritime Union of Australia has examined possible action against Indonesian cargo vessels.

Indonesia invaded East Timor in 1975, and annexed the territory in 1976 in a move always
regarded as illegal by the UN. Australia recognises Indonesian sovereignty over the territory,
claimed as Indonesia's 27th province.

AAP gf/ra/cfm/jnb

KEYWORD: TIMOR ACTU

1999 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.