[asia-apec 1867] ETAN: U.S. Supporters of East Timor Celebrate Independence Nationwide

[John M. Miller]

Contact:
John M. Miller, 718-5967668; mobile: 917-690-4391

U.S. Supporters of East Timor Celebrate Independence Nationwide

Watershed Victory Marked, Work Ahead Noted

May 19 - Local chapters of East Timor Action Network (ETAN) are celebrating 
hard won freedom of East Timor, the first new nation of the 21st century. 
At midnight on May 20, East Timor's flag will be raised over Dili, East 
Timor's capital, to mark the new nation's independence.

"Words can't express our joy at East Timor's independence," said John M. 
Miller, spokesperson for ETAN. "We are proud and to have supported the East 
Timorese people in their struggle for freedom."

Local ETAN activities are planned in 18 cities in 13 states, including 
Berkeley, CA; Bloomington, IN; Green Bay, WI; Madison, WI; Minneapolis, MN; 
New York City; Philadelphia, PA; Portland, OR; Stony Brook, NY; Tempe, AZ; 
and Washington, DC. A full schedule of events can be found at 
http://etan.org/news/calendar.htm.

In addition, the city councils of Madison, Berkeley and San Francisco will 
consider resolutions congratulating the new nation and its people next week.

Both houses of the U.S. Congress are also considering resolutions strongly 
supporting the new nation. The resolutions are sponsored by Lincoln Chafee 
(R-RI) and Russell Feingold (D-WI) in the Senate (S.Con.Res 109) and Chris 
Smith (R-NJ), Jim McGovern (D-MA), Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) and Frank Wolf 
(R-VA) in the House of Representatives.

"We applaud your achievement, won after great hardship and against 
overwhelming odds. Your victory against occupation by the fourth largest 
country backed by the world's most powerful nation gives hope and 
inspiration to all who work for genuine democracy, human rights and 
self-determination," ETAN said in an independence day statement to the East 
Timorese people. The network pledged continued support for the new nation. 
The full statement can be found at 
http://www.etan.org/news/2002a/05congrats.htm.

In its statement, ETAN dedicated itself to achieving justice for past 
crimes, the return of all refugees currently in Indonesia who wish to do 
so, adequate levels of assistance to the new nation; and continued 
restrictions on U.S. support for the Indonesian military "so that others 
will not experience abuses at the hands of the military from which [East 
Timor is] now free."

ETAN also said it "will continue to seek an accurate accounting of our own 
government's role in supporting Indonesia's invasion and occupation."

In 1975, when Indonesia illegally invaded East Timor 90% of the weapons 
used came from the U.S. One-third of the population  more than 200,000 
people - were killed. In 1999, the East Timorese voted overwhelmingly for 
independence in a UN-organized referendum. The Indonesian military then 
ransacked the country, agreeing to withdraw after the U.S. cut off all 
military assistance and other aid.  East Timor's independence follows two 
and a half years of UN administration.

For over a decade, the East Timor Action Network/U.S. (ETAN) has supported 
self-determination and human rights for East Timor. It continues to work in 
support human dignity for the people of East Timor by advocating for 
democracy, sustainable development, social, legal, and economic justice and 
human rights, including women's rights.

Members of ETAN in the U.S. as well as in East Timor are available for 
interviews. (Call 718-596-7668.)

For additional information see ETAN's web site http://www.etan.org.

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John M. Miller         Internet: john at etan.org

Media & Outreach Coordinator
East Timor Action Network: 10 Years for Self-Determination & Justice

48 Duffield St., Brooklyn, NY 11201 USA
Phone: (718)596-7668      Fax: (718)222-4097
Mobile phone: (917)690-4391
Web site: http://www.etan.org

Support ETAN, make a secure financial contribution: 
http://etan.org/etan/donate.htm

Send a blank e-mail message to info at etan.org to find out
how to learn more about East Timor on the Internet
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