Fax-in against Indonesian military
By Alex Young
SYDNEY — The Anti-Bases Campaign Coalition is running a fax-in campaign to try to stop the Indonesian military being involved in the air show at Avalon, Victoria, October 21-25. "To include the Indonesian airforce in the air show after such abuse of human rights is unacceptable", says Denis Doherty, national coordinator of the campaign.
Doherty is referring to the atrocities the East Timorese have suffered at the hands of the Indonesian military, the most recent being the Dili massacre on November 12, 1991, in which more than 100 civilians died.
The Indonesian airforce has abused human rights in East Timor, including by the use of napalm, for 17 years. The Indonesian plane CN235, planned to be displayed at the air show, is purposely designed to carry close to 50 fully equipped troops into rough areas for the sole purpose of suppressing any signs of unrest from the people.
"We're not against an air show", Doherty stresses, "but against the military aspect and the military sales aspect which will be displayed."
The fax-in is aimed at minister for foreign affairs Senator Gareth Evans, and will be staged on September 12 and October 12.
The aims are to swamp Senator Evans with faxes, showing that there is a large number of people concerned, and make the government experience some inconvenience as a result of its policies, particularly the continuation of the arms trade with Indonesia.
Fax Evans' office on (06) 273 4115 or phone (06) 277 7500. If you prefer, write to Senator Evans at Parliament House, Canberra ACT 2600. Send copies of your faxes or letters to the Australian Anti-Bases Campaign Coalition, PO Box A899, Sydney South NSW 2000.