October 99
American Friends Service Committee Peacework Magazine Patrica Watson, Editor Sara Burke, Assistant Editor Pat Farren, Founding Editor
2161 Massachusetts Ave.
Telephone number:
Fax number: pwork@igc.org Peacework has been published monthly since 1972, intended to serve as a source of dependable information to those who strive for peace and justice and are committed to furthering the nonviolent social change necessary to achieve them. Rooted in Quaker values and informed by AFSC experience and initiatives, Peacework offers a forum for organizers, fostering coalition-building and teaching the methods and strategies that work in the global and local community. Peacework seeks to serve as an incubator for social transformation, introducing a younger generation to a deeper analysis of problems and issues, reminding and re-inspiring long-term activists, encouraging the generations to listen to each other, and creating space for the voices of the disenfranchised. Views expressed are those of the authors, not necessarily of the AFSC. |
"Must See" Videos on East Timor! Given the cataclysmic events taking place this summer and fall in East Timor-events that are at the same time horrifying and inspiring-the AFSC Film & Video Library has videos that can help you grasp the truth and significance of this, the human rights crisis of the last quarter century (which, of course, our press kept absolutely invisible until August and even now misses the point). You will not believe that such things were happening without your knowledge. Death of a Nation: The Timor Conspiracy (1995) by British Journalist John Pilger lays out the whole background to present events. Bitter Paradise: The Sell-out of East Timor is Elaine Briere's sensitive portrait of who the people of East Timor are and how the genocide has been fully supported by western governments and businesses. Aggression and Self Determination in East Timor (1992) is a video of several pieces (including talks by Allan Nairn and Amy Goodman and footage of one of the biggest Indonesian massacres of Timorese earlier this decade) that are just filled with valuable information East Timor: Betrayed But Not Beaten (how prophetic!) (1988) has great historical information and wonderful interviews with Noam Chomsky. Good information on the East Timorese independence movement. In fact we have several Noam Chomsky lectures on East Timor. The best is "New World Order Debate" in which Chomsky uses the East Timor genocide to demolish US justifications for the war on Iraq. Shadow Over East Timor (1987) is an Australian production of the US backed Indonesian conquest of East Timor in 1975 that included the Indonesian assassination of Australian newsmen covering the event. Also examines the East Timorese independence movement. Urgent Message from José Ramos-Horta, 1996 Nobel Peace Laureate, 9/19/99 Today I appeal to solidarity groups worldwide to actively refrain from burning the Indonesian flag (or otherwise desecrating symbols or property of Indonesia) as a means of protesting the Indonesian government and military's outrages against the people of East Timor. As the multinational force moves into East Timor, it is important for us to show utmost respect for the Indonesian people. The Indonesian democracy movement has, for instance, placed itself solidly on the side of human rights in East Timor from the beginning. Instead we should direct our energies toward means to successfully implement the full and verifable withdrawal of all Indonesian armed forces-military, police, intelligence, and special forces alike. We can maintain respect for the people of Indonesia at the same time. That said, I also appeal to all Indonesians to respect persons, property, and symbols of the many nations taking part in the multinational force, and I call on them to refrain from attacking property or desecrating others' national symbols. Our respect should be mutual. I would like to take this opportunity to express my deep appreciation to the many individuals throughout the world, the many excellent solidarity organizations and coalitions-in other words the grassroots-without whom recent changes in American, British, Australian, and other nations' policies toward Indonesia and East Timor would not have taken place. These changes were instrumental in pressing Indonesia to allow in an international force to stop the slaughter. But, I also ask for your vigilance through the coming weeks and months, to end the violence once and for all, and to see East Timor into a peaceful and just transition to independence. Thank you. |
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