Subject: ABC: Unions plan industrial action over
Timor
Date: Sat, 22 May 1999 10:21:51 -0400
From: "Sharon R.A. Scharfe" <pet@web.net>Australian Broadcasting
Corporation
Unions plan industrial action over Timor
Thu, 20 May 1999
Australian unions are planning to disrupt services to Indonesia as part of a national
protest against continuing violence in East Timor.
Next Thursday, unions as well as church and community groups will rally in capital
cities to urge the Australian Government to help stop the bloodshed, in the lead-up to the
referendum on autonomy.
ACTU president, Jennie George, says union delegates will meet on that day to endorse
various industrial action.
"It could focus on the airline. It could be on the waterfront, postal services,
say, to the consulate and embassy on the day could be affected.
"So we'll be having meetings with our people on the lead-up to Thursday but, as I
say, I wouldn't be surprised if there was some symbolic industrial action."
More pro-Jakarta attacks: UN
Meanwhile, the United Nations says it has evidence that pro-Jakarta militias in East
Timor are planning more attacks on civilians.
It says Indonesia is also continuing to train the armed units despite protests from the
UN.
The UN's spokesman in the territory, David Wimhurst, said in a statement issued in
Jakarta that he had found a group of militiamen being trained in the town of Atsabe, about
100 kilometres south of Dili.
He said the training was very disciplined and signified that the militia were actually
engaged in a preparation for continued violence.
The charge comes despite Indonesia's assurances that it does not support the loyalist
militias.
Jakarta has also promised to maintain peace ahead of a UN-run vote on independence in
East Timor on August 8.
© 1999 Australian Broadcasting Corporation
For more information on Parliamentarians for East Timor, Please Contact: Sharon
Scharfe, International Secretariat PARLIAMENTARIANS FOR EAST TIMOR Suite 116, 5929-L
Jeanne D'Arc Blvd. Orleans, ON K1C 7K2 CANADA Fax: 1-613-834-2021 E-Mail: pet@web.net
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