Press Release
August 30, 1999

LAST AUGUST 26, pro-government para-military troops attacked a peaceful assembly of East Timorese in the province of Dili, killing 6 EastTimorese and wounding scores of civilians and journalists in the process. Tension continues to rise as the referendum to decide whether the Indonesian government will grant independence to its colony East Timor approaches.

We vehemently condemn this terror tactics of the Indonesian regime. This is not the first time this has transpired. Ever since Indonesia colonized East Timor, the suppression of the East Timorese continued without let-up. To suppress the rights of people to self-determination is a fundamental violation of their basic rights. The attacks on the pro-independence activists are being done systematically to scare and intimidate the East Timorese and to weaken their resolve in their struggle for an independent East Timor.

We, the League of Filipino Students (LFS) are in solidarity with the oppressed people of East Timor for we Filipinos have suffered such fate during the Martial Law days and are still suffering continued repression and human rights abuses from our government. The recent developments in the Philippines are quickly moving towards open fascist rule.

The League fully supports the struggle for self-determination of the East Timorese. It is the historical right of a people to have their own nation and determine their future. The people of East Timor are doubly oppressed by the Indonesian regime. First through economic and political subjugation and secondly through racial discrimination. The people of East Timor, through long and arduous struggle have more than earned the right to govern themselves. It is high time that the people's aspirations become a reality.

On August 31, the League of Filipino Students (LFS), in solidarity with the oppressed people of East Timor, will hold a picket in front of the Indonesian Embassy to condemn the butchery of the East Timorese and support their struggle for self-determination. We shall be joined by other youth and students organizations. The picket will start at 1100 a.m. We enjoin thepeople from the media to cover the event.###

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