BRISBANE — About 200 people attended a public meeting on May 11 addressed by Nidia Diaz, a representative of the FMLN of El Salvador. Diaz is the highest ranking FMLN representative to visit Australia. Her tour mobilised the support of the Latin American community and revived the Salvadoran solidarity group. Diaz discussed the negotiations that she was leading with the Salvadoran government, explaining the conditions that the FMLN was demanding before it would participate in the political process in El Salvador.
Green It Up at the Celtic Club on May 16 featured local talents Wondrous Fair, Ian Oliver, Paul Young and poets Willy Bach and Mark White. Green It Up is an exciting new regular cabaret evening organised by Resistance to raise money for Green Left Weekly. Guest artists at the next Green It Up on Thursday, May 23 will include Primitive Moon, Ian Oliver, Alan Toovey and poet Jane Knowels.
Meeting on May 13, the Women's Abortion Campaign decided to support Children by Choice in a walk on Parliament House on May 28. WAC will also picket the ALP National Conference on the Queen's Birthday Weekend, June 8-10.
The Environmental Youth Alliance has decided to drop its campaign against the resource security legislation. At its meeting on May 17 the group decided to concentrate on educational activity.
MELBOURNE — More than 300 women students from around the country are expected to attend the annual Network of Women Students — Australia (NOWSA) conference in Melbourne on July 16-20. Organisers have planned a wide range of discussions and workshops covering political and other issues. The conference will be held at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology. Information is available from Dale Healy on (03) 660 2438.
SYDNEY — The Middle East Action Campaign on May 16 discussed the projected International War Crimes Tribunal initiated by Ramsey Clark in the wake of the Gulf War. The group launched a petition campaign against the Australian government's plan to send a frigate back to the Gulf to enforce sanctions against Iraq, and a timetable of events to protest against the November AIDEX weapons exhibitions has been set.
Australian Koreans campaigning for reunification of their country held a picket outside the Korean consulate on May 17. The 35 participants carried photographs of activists who have recently died during the struggle against repression in South Korea, and heard solidarity speeches from representatives of Aboriginal, Central American, Philippine and anti-nuclear groups. They handed their demands for an end to torture and killings to consulate staff.