
Issue No 30		10 September 1999

News

TWU Questions Timor Action

A key union has questioned the real effect of industrial bans being placed on Indonesia, fearing the action could be playing into the hands of the Indonesian military.

Transport Workers Union state secretary Tony Sheldon has warned that while he is outraged by what is occurring in East Timor, targeting Indonesia could be counter-productive

The TWU, which covers refuellers, caterers and baggage handlers at all airports has placed national bans on all Indonesian air freight but will not prevent passengers travelling on the Indonesian airline, Garuda.

Sheldon says it's a very complex political situation and Australian need to act, not just with their hearts but their heads.

"We must be careful that the union movement in Australia does not play into the hands of the Indonesian military in their bid to gain further control and power in Indonesia," Sheldon says..

"The military is clearly using Timor as part of a power play to gain control of the Indonesian Government.

Sheldon has called on the Australian Government to reopen the Radio Australia Network into Asia - immediately reversing its naive decision to close it down - and recommence broadcasts into Asia about the crisis in Timor.

"This would be a practical way of giving people in Timor and throughout Indonesia and Asia news and information as to the extent of the atrocities," he says

"Our contacts in Indonesia tell us there is more news about the Australian bans than about the atrocities that are occurring."

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Issue 30 contents

Interview: The Seeds of Genocide
Brian Daluz, from the Council for the National Resistance of Timor, believes Timorese are being herded into concentration camps.

Unions: The Mice That Roared
Hotel housekeeper Belinda Nicholls stole the show at the Second Wave rally with her story of the triumph of a group of newly-unionised workers.

International: The Hand of God?
John Passant asks whether Turkey�s Earthquake was a natural disaster or a criminal act.

Republic: The Republic Debate: Should It Go Into Extra Time?
In the battle of political - sporting analogies, a skeptic states his case.

Legal: Call Waiting
The Federal Court has put a dampener on outsourcing within a corporate structure.

Satire: Ticketing Chaos!
Sydney Olympics to be held in Beijing

Review: The Thirteenth Floor
A new film challenges the boundaries between reality and �virtual� reality and explores some of the moral issues that these technologies will introduce.

Labour Review: What's New at the Information Centre
Read the latest issue of Labour Review, a resource for union officials and students.

» Ramos Horta Calls for Workers� Support

» Sydney Unionists Forced to Leave Dili

» TWU Questions Timor Action

» SOCOG Called to Cancel Indonesian Contracts

» Union Busters To Go Cyber

» Not-So Aussie Post for Sydney 2000

» Horror Tales - the Nights of the Living Dead

» Asbestos Sufferer Bequests $30,000 To Union

» Woodlawn Workers Edge Towards Justice

» Telstra Shareholders Asked to Block Union-Busters

» Reith Letter to be Revealed in Conspiracy Case

» Shock: Tele Thumbs Up For New Years Eve Holiday

» Tales From the Picket Line