RI-Australia friendship<\/p>\n
Due to recent events in East Timor, I wish to write to assure
\nyou of the Australian Council of Trade Unions' (ACTU's)
\ncontinuing feelings of friendship toward the workers and people
\nof Indonesia.<\/p>\n
We have had feelings of great anguish and sadness regarding
\nthe events in East Timor. Along with Indonesia, this territory is
\nclose to Australia and as a result of our knowledge of the land
\nand its people we were very concerned over the violence, killings
\nand destruction which took place.<\/p>\n
It is not for us to allocate any blame for what happened
\nexcept to say that it trampled on the human rights of all people
\nin the region to peace and freedom from violence.<\/p>\n
The purpose of this letter is to extend the hand of friendship
\nto workers and the Indonesian people.<\/p>\n
As you know, the ACTU represents the workers of Australia and
\nwe are not a part of the government. So what we say is what we
\nbelieve and know to be true. In this regard I would like to
\nassure you that:<\/p>\n
* Australians want Indonesia to be a strong and prosperous
\ncountry. We do not want fragmentation of your country and would
\nnot support it happening. The future of Indonesia is for the
\nIndonesian people to decide.<\/p>\n
* Indonesian students and visitors are welcome in Australia. We
\nwant to build stronger friendship between us. Any offensive
\nbehavior toward students or visitors will not be tolerated.<\/p>\n
* The ACTU opposes Australia becoming a \"deputy\" to the United
\nStates in Asia or anywhere else, and no sensible person in
\nAustralia supports that view. The whole idea is offensive and was
\nthe product of a journalist's misguided mind.<\/p>\n
* Australia and Indonesia need to continue to build a stronger
\nfriendship between us on the basis of equal rights and equal
\nrespect.<\/p>\n
In the past we have stood together during difficult and hard
\ntimes. We in Australia stood with the people of Indonesia in your
\nstruggle for independence in the 1940s. We want to continue to
\nwork together, have Australians and Indonesians visit each
\nother's country in peace, and together build a better future for
\nall of our people and their children.<\/p>\n
BILL MANSFIELD<\/p>\n
Assistant Secretary<\/p>\n
Australian Council of Trade Unions<\/p>\n
Carlton South, Vic.<\/p>\n
Australia<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ri-australia-friendship-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }