East Timor solidarity conference

By Ben Reid
MELBOURNE — Members of the East Timorese community and their supporters from around Australia gathered here on August 12 and 13 for a solidarity conference organised by the East Timor Relief Association. Reverend Bishop Hilton Deakin opened the conference, speaking movingly on his experiences in East Timor and more recently with recently arrived refugees.
Salustiano Freitus from the Melbourne East Timorese Community emphasised the need for "Timorese people themselves to lead the way in strug¬gling for East Timor's freedom in Australia".
Many East Timorese presented talks on issues including personal expe¬riences of leaving East Timor, the meaning of Timorese national identity and the complex problems that would face an independent East Timor. Separate workshops were also held.
A plenary on the experiences of Australian activists featured Richard Walsham from the Australian Education Union, who spoke of the role Australian trade unions could play in promoting the Timorese cause.
Gil Scrine from Sydney Australia-East Timor Association called on solidarity groups to give priority to opposing the Australian government's support of Indonesia's occupation.