MIM NOTES No. 196        October 15, 1999	

MIM calls for anti-imperialism and anti-militarism: Organize 
against oppression in Indonesia, East Timor and around the world!

Ann Arbor, Mich.
18 September 1999

As United Nations (UN) so-called peace-keeping troops landed in 
East Timor, MIM hosted a talk about the history of U$ and 
imperialist financing and support of massacres and exploitation of 
the people of Indonesia and East Timor. Attended by a modest 
group, mostly students of Asian descent, the meeting helped 
develop unity against imperialist militarism and exploitation.

During the talk, MIM highlighted the historical role of the UN so-
called peace-keeping troops in other Third World nations as an 
oppressive and violent occupation force. With this information we 
exposed the mythical image of UN troops as a benevolent peace-
keeping force.

One student from Indonesia said that it would be best if the force 
were made up of other Asian countries, like the Philippines, 
Malaysia and Vietnam. The student's point was that the Australian, 
Amerikan and European governments have long had a role in 
oppressing the people and are justly mistrusted. MIM responded by 
connecting the situation of the Indonesian and East Timorese 
people with that of Filipinos and other masses of imperialism's 
neo-colonies. 

Because imperialist economic exploitation and military hegemony 
necessitate local lackies, imperialism bolsters support for local 
compradors who impose fascism both to perpetuate imperialist 
control and to receive their own hefty kickbacks in return. MIM 
does not support the invasion of East Timor by the United Nations, 
by Australia or by nations controlled by the imperialists and 
their comprador puppets. Instead, MIM supports the armed self-
defense of oppressed nations by their own revolutionary armies and 
generally calls for the long-term goal of destroying the 
imperialist system.

Another student said that Indonesian newspapers and media have 
barely covered the most recent events in East Timor -- and the 
Indonesian peoples interest in the issue is equally low. She 
stated that the Indonesian people are more interested in Baligate 
and other examples of the imperialist-backed Indonesian regime's 
corruption and oppression of the masses. She added that the people 
of Indonesia and other island nations are well-aware of what has 
been going on in East Timor, it is only the First World country 
press that treats the issue as if it is new.

These comments brought out good points on the need for activists 
in the First World (whether settler, oppressed nation or 
sojourners) to analyze the system of imperialism and what it does 
to oppressed nation peoples everywhere. MIM called for the meeting 
not because the current events in East Timor mark a dramatic 
turning point in history, but because activists can learn from a 
particular case of imperialist murder and exploitation. Activists 
can then understand that the type of genocide that has happened in 
East Timor is a necessary part of the imperialist system.

Another student pointed out that it is difficult to sit by with 
nothing to do and that the reason that she came to the meeting was 
that she "felt so bad about what was going on." Unfortunately, 
there are no quick solutions to the gargantuan messes that 
imperialism has created. MIM told the audience that we were not 
there to organize people to write heartfelt letters to Amerikan 
politicians, but rather to organize individuals to build 
opposition to militarism and exploitation.

MIM welcomes activists who want to work with us in writing letters 
within a larger campaign, for instance, bringing the anti-
imperialist message to the student newspaper. We also welcome 
activists willing to work just on the situation in East Timor and 
Indonesia. For instance, students were made aware of MIM's 
upcoming campaign against the imperialist deathgrip of debt. 
Individuals interested only in the situation in one area of the 
world should put together talks, rallies, protests and educational 
material on that area of imperialist destruction. Together, people 
interested in various examples of oppression will help MIM lead 
events across the continent in the coming months to illustrate 
that imperialism entire must be fought wholeheartedly.

After the meeting announcement, MIM received feedback that many 
local progressives were looking for something to do about East 
Timor. One activist asked how "strict" we planned to be in 
facilitating this meeting -- would we accept opposition to u.$. 
military aid to Indonesia from non-anti-imperialists. As we 
frequently do, MIM called this emergency meeting to educate and 
connect the dots between the various methods of oppression used in 
the imperialist system. MIM told the activist this, and that all 
were welcome, even those who support UN troops. We made it clear 
that could be voiced during the discussion.

MIM typically holds discussion during or after events as means to 
struggle over differences that would hamper combined actions and 
build points of unity. For us, the necessary points of unity in 
activism around East Timor are principled opposition to the u.$.-
backed genocide, and agreement that all activists involved can 
voice their opposition in their own terms. It would be nihilism -- 
a choice of inaction for the sake of some pointless ideal -- to 
insist on anything else. It is unfortunate that none of the active 
political organizers in Ann Arbor have come forward to publicize 
u.$. military and financial assistance to the fascists of the 
Indonesian regime. And we again invite all individuals and 
organizations that oppose these brutal policies to get in touch 
and work with us to build opposition to the imperialist-backed 
regime in Indonesia.