Chavez versus Bush

a new world fighting an old imperialism

What would be the implications of  Venezuela getting onto the UN security council?

How broad is Chavez's support across the Middle East?

What would a US "intervention" into the upcoming Venezuelan elections look like?

Resistance Public Forum

1pm Saturday October 7

34a Hindley St Adelaide

ph 8231 6982  

Hey all,

there's a fundraiser for the Radio Rentals WOrkers next Tuesday,Sept 26th,
3:30-8pm at the Semaphore Workers Club.  There'll be entertainment, drinks,
etc.  Entry by donationb and the money raised will help pay the wages of the
locked out workers.

Show your support! Come along and enjoy local entertainment in the company of
others fighting for our rights.

Semaphore Workers' Club
Corner Dunn St and Esplanade
Semaphore

Emma





 

----- End forwarded message -----

Dear All
It's  Time to GO! Troops out of Iraq! International Weekend of action....


Hope to see you there-

Parliamen House

Sunday 24th September at 2pm!





Please forward this information to your networks.



Please consider hard copying and handing out the attached handouts (A5 and
A4 in PDF)



If you will be interstate, check out the location of other similar rallies
on the Unity for Peace web site at: http://www.unityforpeace.org/



Cheers



Jeanie Lucas
Secretary
NoWar SA
nowar@...
www.nowar-sa.net <http://www.nowar-sa.net/>
Ph: 0414 773 918




----- End forwarded message -----

Dear All



Hope to see you there on

Sunday 24th September at 2pm!





Please forward this information to your networks.



Please consider hard copying and handing out the attached handouts (A5 and
A4 in PDF)



If you will be interstate, check out the location of other similar rallies
on the Unity for Peace web site at: http://www.unityforpeace.org/



Cheers



Jeanie Lucas
Secretary
NoWar SA
nowar@...
www.nowar-sa.net <http://www.nowar-sa.net/>
Ph: 0414 773 918

Adelaide Uni joint Staff/Student forum: "Who Wants Peace in the Middle East?"
Mike Khizam from NOWAR will update us briefly on what's been happening in
Lebanon since the "ceasefire", as well as provide some historical context to
Israel's most recent invasion. Then Liah from Resistance will discuss the two
groups labelled "terrorists" by western governments and media- Hezbollah and
Hamas: how did they come about in the first place, and what are they fighting
for?
12:00 Thursday September 14th
Harry Medlin Room North
Level 4, Union Building, Adelaide Uni
ALL WELCOME



Resistance Public Meeting: Peace is Possible- the Marxist solution to the
Israel-Palestine conflict.

The portrayal by the mainstream media of the ongoing conflicts in the Middle-
East would have us believe that there is no solution, that there will always
be conflict.  Some on the left argue that if Israel were to respect
its "original" 1948 borders, the violence would cease. Sam King from Green
Left Weekly will explain why a Marxist analysis of the history of Israel leads
us to the conclusion that peace IS possible, but only through the
establishment of a democratic, secular state- ONE state: the state of
Palestine.  A thought-provoking and highly relevant discussion.
1pm, Saturday September 16th,
Resistance Centre,
34a Hindley St
Adelaide

For more information on either meeting, call or text Emma on 0412 974 575

Staff and Student Forum
12:00, Thursday September 14th
Harry Medlin Room North
Level 4, Union Building, Adelaide Uni

     with guest speakers:
Mike Kizam NOWAR convenor
& Liah Lazarou from Resistance

Israel's invasion of Lebanon highlights the problems for creating a lasting
peace in the Middle East. Much of the international and Australia media simply
repeated official Israeli press releases that Israel was responding to an
unprovoked attack by Hezbollah. This has proven untrue. Israel's aggression is
part of a broader plan jointly developed by the U.S government aimed at
securing US domination of the strategic, oil rich Middle East. Israel receives
more US foreign aid than any country in the world. $3 billion US dollars a
year go to the Israeli military.

Israel's failure to defeat Hezbollah (like the total failure of the US to
defeat the Iraqi resistance) is a severe blow to imperialist ambitions. The
resolve of Hezbollah and the Lebanese people, as well as the continued heroic
struggle of the Palestinians, shows us once again that the contemporary world
is not as easy to subdue as Washington would like.

Australia is also a supporter of Israel's war machine. Australia is an
uncritical component of the same US lead military alliance. The Australian
government should also be held accountable for its acquiescence in this war
that killed more than 1000 and displaced more than 900,000 Lebanese civilians!
It is the responsibility of the Australian people to build a political
movement in our own country that can, as part of an international movement,
stop our government and other aggressor nations from carrying out their wars
on the third world.

This forum is organised by an independant network of students, staff and
community.

Sponsors: Resistance, Green Left Weekly & Socialist Alliance

For information phone Emma on 0412 974 575

Workers! Trade Unionists! Concerned members of the community!

 

This Saturday September 9 at 10AM protests will be held outside various Radio
Rentals stores to show community outrage at the company's treatment of 27
tecnicians who have been refused the right to have a collective workplace
agreement. Instead, Radio Rentals insisted on individual Australian Workplace
Agreements that rob these workers of longstanding conditions, particularly in
regard to redundancy pay. Last week, the workers voted to take protected
industrial action to protest the treatment made possible by Howard's
new "WorkChoices" legislation.

 

If you live in the western suburbs, come and show your support for these
workers who are standing up for themselves and the rights of everyone to
dignity and consideration at work.

 
RADIO RENTALS WEST LAKES IS LOCATED AT THE CORNER OF WEST LAKES BOULEVARD AND
TURNER DRIVE (ACCESS FROM THE WEST LAKES MALL SIDE)

 
SEE YOU THERE AT 10AM - IF YOU CAN, BRING A PLACARD

 

FURTHER INFO:

http://www.amwu.asn.au/default.asp?action=LoadArticle&ID=2601

 

LODGE A PROTEST TO RADIO RENTALS MANAGEMENT AT:

http://www.amwu.asn.au/default.asp?Action=featured&ID=1

 

The Empire's weakest link:
Venezuela, Cuba and the Rebellion in the Americas
  4th Latin America Solidarity Conference- Sydney, September 30 2006
Special Guest : Comandante William Izarra, a key leader of Venezuela's
Bolivarian Revolution!
  The conference aims to spread awareness and understanding about the exciting
developments in Latin America, and to coordinate actions in solidarity with
the continent's peoples. The aim is to make the conference as broad and
inclusive as possible, bringing together activists from a range of progressive
movements, trade unionists, academics, and progressive political & community
organisations.
  Draft agenda and registration details to be announced shortly,
Visit www.venezuelasolidarity.org for updates. Email
sydney@...

  Contacts (Melbourne) 9639 8622 or Roberto 0425 289 394
  Contact (Sydney) Marce Cameron 9690 1977 mob 0413 158 480
Vlaudin Vega 0408 208 628 Tamara Pearson 0423 169 687






Latin America Solidarity Conference: The Empire’s weakest link: Venezuela,
Cuba and the Rebellion in the
Americas                                           Submitted by vensol on Sat,
05/08/2006 - 7:23pm.           Start: Sep 30 2006 - 8:30am

  End: Sep 30 2006 - 10:30pm


  The Empire’s weakest link: Venezuela, Cuba and the Rebellion in the Americas
  4th Latin America Solidarity Conference, Sydney, September 30 2006
  Latin American integration versus the US Empire *Venezuela: workers’
management & control *Experiences of building people’s power *Left governments
& popular movements
  *The indigenous rebellion *Cuba after Fidel- can the revolution survive?
  *Experiences and challenges in building solidarity in Australia
   SPECIAL GUEST:
  Comandante William Izarra, Venezuela
  A retired air force officer and former Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs in
the Chavez government, Comandante Izarra has a long history of involvement in
the revolutionary movement in Venezuela. He is presently the national
coordinator of the grassroots discussions and debates about the ideology of
the Venezuelan Revolution. Izarra's participation will make this a very
special conference, an event not to be missed…
  PROVISIONAL CONFERENCE AGENDA
  Main themes:
  * Workers management and control in Venezuela
  * Experiences of building people’s power
  * Left governments and popular movements
  * The indigenous rebellion
  * Latin American integration versus the US Empire
  * Latin America's shift to the left
  * Understanding Venezuela's Bolivarian Revolution
  * The state of Cuba's socialist revolution, its achievements and its role in
the world today
  * Experiences and challenges in building solidarity in Australia
  Proposed structure
  9.30-9.35am Indigenous welcome
  9.35-9.45am Conference welcome
  9.45- 11am Plenary: The Empire’s Weakest Link
  11am- 12.30pm Major session plus up to 5 workshops
  12.30- 1.30pm Lunch plus up to 5 one-hour workshops
  1.30- 3pm Major session plus up to 5 workshops
  3- 3.30pm Afternoon tea
  3.30-5pm Plenary: Building Awareness & Solidarity
  5- 7pm AVSN national consultation
  7pm- late social event/fundraiser
  Provisional agenda
  Plenary:
  The Empire’s Weakest Link: Venezuela, Cuba and the Rebellion in the Americas
  Aim: To give a broad overview of the continental rebellion against
neoliberalism in Latin America; the axis of solidarity and socialist renewal
leading this rebellion (Cuba and Venezuela); and the importance of the Latin
American rebellion in the global struggle against imperialism.
  2-3 speakers, 15 mins each followed by 30 mins questions/discussion.
  Major session Venezuela: towards socialism in the 21st Century
  3 speakers, 10-15 mins each
  Workshops
  (1) Latin American integration- another European Union?
  (2) Women’s struggle for equality in LA
  (3) Indigenous rebellion: the Bolivian example
  (4) Can Colombia’s guerilla movements take power?
  (5) LA’s economic growth: who benefits?
  Major session Cuba after Fidel: can the revolution survive?
  3 speakers, 10-15 mins each
  Workshops
  (1) Cuba and Venezuela: the green revolutions
  (2) Venezuela’s revolutionary trade union movement
  (3) Experiences of popular power in Latin America
  (4) The humane revolution: Cuba’s record of internationalism
  (5) Mexico: what happens next?
  (6) Central America: prospects for radical change
  Plenary: US Hands Off Latin America: Building Awareness & Solidarity


---------------------------------
Talk is cheap. Use Yahoo! Messenger to make PC-to-Phone calls.  Great rates
starting at 1˘/min.

----- End forwarded message -----

The Empire's weakest link:
Venezuela, Cuba and the Rebellion in the Americas

4th Latin America Solidarity Conference- Sydney, September 30 2006
Special Guest : Comandante William Izarra, a key leader of Venezuela's Bolivarian Revolution!

The conference aims to spread awareness and understanding about the exciting developments in Latin America, and to coordinate actions in solidarity with the continent's peoples. The aim is to make the conference as broad and inclusive as possible, bringing together activists from a range of progressive movements, trade unionists, academics, and progressive political & community organisations.

Draft agenda and registration details to be announced shortly,
Visit www.venezuelasolidarity.org for updates. Email sydney@...

Contacts (Melbourne) 9639 8622 or Roberto 0425 289 394

Contact (Sydney) Marce Cameron 9690 1977 mob 0413 158 480
Vlaudin Vega 0408 208 628 Tamara Pearson 0423 169 687

 

Latin America Solidarity Conference: The Empire’s weakest link: Venezuela, Cuba and the Rebellion in the Americas

Re: Israel's War: Views from the Left

But is there a radical left ?

This question is yet to be answered by those who have ambitions or
aspirations for the English language left in Australia.

Is any effective political literacy to be found anywhere inside the
euro-centric margins haunted by the English language left in
Australia ?

Likewise this question is yet to be asked by those who identify with
the radical left.

The reality of our uniquely Australian expression is what's at stake.

The radical issue is what activists apparently believe - viz., that
there is a radical left, which also seems to be saying, there's no
more than just one poor sexless isolated soul.

In the absence of an effective political literacy inside the euro-
centric margins haunted by the English language left in Australia,
what other reasonable image is there of the radical left, unless it
is that of a sole neutered radical skulking around the margins and
marooned there by its genderless adherence to walking "Left"
without "the Left" talking that is the English left in Australia ?

Wherever there's English left in Australia, the radical left is to
be heard aimlessly tramping around and up and down the gutter,
marginalized and mouthing off, but effecting only "the Left" walk.

It is marginalized as a decidedly unmateable radical left which is
conceived as one precious uncapitalised definite article with a
capitalised "Left" following - aka "the Left", which is invariably
cut down to size as a singular uncapitalised "it".

This underkill is not redeemed by the intimation that "it" has a
providently unintended effect.

Dare to be said on the facts, "it" is not reading too much into this.

Just ask yourselves, where does the radical left find the nerve to
take "it" onboard and dare probe "what's left ?", without standing
to be targeted as "the radical left" ?

On the contrary, "the Left" hourly struggle to effect "the Left"
walk beyond talking "left".

While "the Left" opines, the radical left does whatever it can to
paint over its ugly face, which the public divines as political
thuggery whenever it wants to find a quasi-modo to cast unfamiliar
shadows on every margin within the mainsteam of public life.

If you don't think so, then ask if the solitary radical left decries
the practical possibility that change could ever be achieved with
public agreement.

Unless the radical left finds the means to present itself as a
practical public force for an effective political literacy to enable
it to withstand or fend off the more ambitious shafting arrows
of "the Left", it will remain no more effective than a martyr "left"
suffering the full piercing output of such long bows as are shot at
the English language left in Australia.

The radical left well knows where the shafting arrow that the public
intends is aimed, but it forgets that the sting is only in the point
and that the point is quite narrow.

It would do well to remember that although arrows may mortally
pierce, they don't make for any movement beyond that of the falling
body that they puncture.

However, I leave it to you to discern whether the English language
left in Australia is any real political movement within the ken of
the radical left.

To do so you need to answer the sole question that's left:

whether "the Left" is just a bit of fingering manipulation to scare
the booby out of anyone aspiring to join the radical left, or
whether the radical left constitutes something more than what passes
as a form of partially capitalised movement in "the Left" ?



--- In AN_SA@..., Emma Murphy <emma.g.murphy@s...>
wrote:
>
>
>
> Green Left Weekly/Socialist Alliance Pulbic Forum
>
> Israel's War: Views from the Left
> Wed Aug 16
>
> With few exceptions, the commentary on the war in Lebanon is
couched in terms
> of Israel's "right to exist" and to "protect itself against
terrorism". But if
> we look beyond the glib sloganeering of the big-business media,
the real
> picture is sharply different. Rather than being the victim of
aggression, the
> Israeli state emerges as by far the strongest military power in
the Middle
> East – with a record of ruthlessly employing its armed might.
>
> How have Israeli actions fitted into the manoeuvres of
international capital
> in the Middle East, from the mid-twentieth century to the era of
the "neo-
> cons"? How have these actions helped shape political processes in
the Arab
> countries, including Lebanon? How did Hezbollah arise, and what is
its role on
> the Lebanese political scene? And should the assault on Lebanon be
seen as a
> rehearsal for war by the US on Syria and Iran?
>
> Adelaide NoWar Convenor Mike Khizam joins with the Socialist
Alliance's
> Renfrey Clarke in exploring these and other key issues of the
crisis in the
> Middle East.
>
> Wednesday, August 16, 7 pm, at the Resistance Centre, upstairs at
34a Hindley
> St., Adelaide. Gold coin donation. Ph 8231 6982
>

Green Left Weekly/Socialist Alliance Pulbic Forum

Israel’s War: Views from the Left
Wed Aug 16

With few exceptions, the commentary on the war in Lebanon is couched in terms
of Israel’s “right to exist” and to “protect itself against terrorism”. But if
we look beyond the glib sloganeering of the big-business media, the real
picture is sharply different. Rather than being the victim of aggression, the
Israeli state emerges as by far the strongest military power in the Middle
East – with a record of ruthlessly employing its armed might.

How have Israeli actions fitted into the manoeuvres of international capital
in the Middle East, from the mid-twentieth century to the era of the “neo-
cons”? How have these actions helped shape political processes in the Arab
countries, including Lebanon? How did Hezbollah arise, and what is its role on
the Lebanese political scene? And should the assault on Lebanon be seen as a
rehearsal for war by the US on Syria and Iran?

Adelaide NoWar Convenor Mike Khizam joins with the Socialist Alliance’s
Renfrey Clarke in exploring these and other key issues of the crisis in the
Middle East.

Wednesday, August 16, 7 pm, at the Resistance Centre, upstairs at 34a Hindley
St., Adelaide. Gold coin donation. Ph 8231 6982

Hiroshima Never Again!

1945-Hiroshima

2006- Beirut?

Rally for peace. 12:00 Saturday August 5

Parliament House

Protest Israeli War Crimes:

stop the offensive in Lebanon and Gaza!

US Hands off Iran!

No to Uranium Mining

1945- Hiroshima

2006- Beirut?

Hiroshima Never Again!

12:00 Saturday Aug 5

Parliament House Steps

ph 0412 974 575

*Stop the Israeli Offensive!

*Hands off Iran

*No to Uranium Mining!

----- Original Message -----

		 Monday, 24 July 2006 6:56:24 AM
Message
From:  Human Rights Tools <editors@...>
"Human Rights Tools" <editors@...>
Subject: A new service for human rights professionals


Hello,

We would like to tell you about a new website for human rights
professionals called Human Rights Tools.

It offers four services:

1. A library of carefully selected and commented resources:
http://www.humanrightstools.org/index.htm

You will find:
- monitoring and fact-finding tools, advocacy tools and other essential
resources for human rights work
- thematic resources on the protection of detainees, human rights
defenders, refugees, and more
- the top online databases for resources on human rights law, refugee law
and humanitarian law

... and much more. We have even set up a section called "Your career"
where you will find job vacancies and training opportunities:
http://www.humanrightstools.org/dcd/8_Your_career/


2. Key resources for country analysis:
http://www.humanrightstools.org/countryanalysis.htm

To rapidly establish the human rights profile of a particular country and
to facilitate analysis and follow-up of developments, you can draw on a
number of resources listed here: the situation in terms of human rights,
political and conflict analysis, the economics, the legal instruments
which that country has ratified, and human rights-relevant news.


3. Daily updated human rights headlines:
http://www.humanrightstools.org/rssnews.htm

This page will provide you with fresh human rights news from a selection
of top sources - all on one convenient page and updated automatically
every time you visit. We currently list headlines from the following
sources: Human Rights Watch, Amnesty, FIDH, Human Rights Listings,
Reliefweb, Inter Press Service. Be sure to bookmark this page!


4. Our newsletter:
If you are interested in receiving updates on new tools and resources,
then subscribe to our newsletter - we have several exciting issues in the
pipeline. Just click on the link below:
http://humanrightstools.org/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi/n/news/patrick_byrt/fcl.fl.asn\
.au/12716751/

The website and newsletter are produced by a small and independant group
of volunteers who aim to facilitate the use of information on human rights
available on the Internet.
http://www.humanrightstools.org/about.htm

We hope you found this website useful and would appreciate very much
receiving your comments and suggestions. Do you know any resources to add?
Any areas we should cover? Please send comments to Daniel
(editors@...).

Finally, please forward this email to your friends and colleagues who
share your interest in human rights.

This is a one-time mailing - you won't hear from us again unless you
subscribe to the newsletter (see link above).

Best regards,

Daniel D'Esposito

URGENT ACTION IN SOLIDARITY WITH PEOPLE OF LEBANON, PALESTINE AND GAZA!!!

12:00 this Saturday, July 22nd

Parliament House

organised by NOWAR- ph 0414 773 918

Hi all, a special remindar of the very exciting an political events happening this saturday- the visit to adelaide by the Venezuelan ambassador.... see details below...an opportunity not to be missed!

A day with Nelson Davila- Venezuelan Ambassador to Australia

Saturday, July 22nd

2pm: "a new society, a new economy, a 21st century socialism"

DSP/Resistance Marxist forum featuring Nelson Davila. 34a Hindley St, Adelaide.         ph. 82316982. Entry by donation to Green Left Weekly.

7:00pm: latin american solidarity fiesta- $5/7 entry.  food and drinks available. music, poetry & greetings from Nelson Davila

Adelaide Community Centre-  Coglin St, Adelaide. ph 0418 894 366 

Presented by the Australia-Venezuela  Solidarity   Network and Green Left Weekly

A day with Nelson Davila- Venezuelan Ambassador to Australia

Saturday, July 22nd

2pm: "a new society, a new economy, a 21st century socialism"

DSP/Resistance Marxist forum featuring Nelson Davila. 34a Hindley St, Adelaide.         ph. 82316982. Entry by donation to Green Left Weekly.

7:00pm: latin american solidarity fiesta- $5/7 entry.  food and drinks available. music, poetry & greetings from Nelson Davila

Adelaide Community Centre-  Coglin St, Adelaide. ph 0418 894 366 

Presented by the Australia-Venezuela  Solidarity   Network and Green Left Weekly

This Friday is the 14th
Comradely
John Mc

Emma Murphy writes:

> Dear All,
>
> for four and a half years david hicks has been languishing in
> atrocious conditions in Guantanamo Bay Prison. This friday, as part of
> an international day of action on the 15th July we are asking all
> activists to come to a speak out to  tell Alexander Downer exactly what
> we think of him and his abandonment of Hicks to  torture and
> degredation.
>
> 5pm, Alexander Downer's office, 100 King William Street City.
> bring friends! bring voices! spread the word!
>
> no more torture, no more guantanamo bay, bring david home now!
>
>
>
> in solidarity,
>
> mel
>
>
>
>
>
> ----- End forwarded message -----
>
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>

Dear All,

for four and a half years david hicks has been languishing in
atrocious conditions in Guantanamo Bay Prison. This friday, as part of
an international day of action on the 15th July we are asking all
activists to come to a speak out to  tell Alexander Downer exactly what
we think of him and his abandonment of Hicks to  torture and
degredation.

5pm, Alexander Downer's office, 100 King William Street City.
bring friends! bring voices! spread the word!

no more torture, no more guantanamo bay, bring david home now!



in solidarity,

mel





----- End forwarded message -----

Hi all,

I've arranged for 500 copies of the June 28 leaflets to be
letterboxed by the Western Workers Fight Back Committee and its
supporters. Let me know if you can help out with distribution ...
Further activities below...

Helen




From: Kayti Murphy [mailto:KMurphy@...]
Sent: Monday, 19 June 2006 12:55 PM
To: Kayti Murphy
Subject: The Weeks Ahead......what we are doing and what we need
help with.


Hi Everyone

Just a few items for your information:



Tshirt Design Competition Winners



1st Prize Caitlin Milne

Highly Commended Jack Farmer, Jonathan Fairburn and David Blaiklock

Designs are displayed in the foyer of SA Unions so come along and
check them out.

They will be posted on SA Unions website this week


Handing Out at Train Stations for the National Week of Action



We are calling volunteers to hand out leaflets and posters
advertising the National Week of Action at Adelaide Train Station.

We will be handing out on Thursday 22 and Friday 23 June from 7.30am.

If you can help out (and it all helps) please call Kayti on 0414 326
613



Leafleting



We are still leafleting and putting up posters in all areas. Please
let us know if you can help out.



Art in Working Life Project Workshop – WE NEED YOUR CREATIVITY



We will be meeting on Sunday 25th June 2 to 6pm at the  Higher
Ground Workspace, off Rundle Street (old IMAX building) to make
banners, art, compose music, song and chants. We are looking for
volunteers to help out but most importantly we are looking for
materials to use. If you have any old banners, corflutes or paint
hanging around please donate it to us to use.

Contact Kayti



Thank you



Kayti Murphy

Green Left Weekly presents:

Fighting Howard's Work Choices: Can the French example work here?

2pm, Sunday June 18
Resistance Centre- 34a Hindley St, Adelaide
Gold coin donation

Recently, French workers and their supporters forced their government to back
down on an attack on young workers' pay and  conditions.  They succeeded by
using mass militant industrial action.  Is that possible in Australia against
the horrendous  Workchoices legislation.

GLW presents Sue Bolton, long term trade unionist, industrial relations
convenor of the Socialist Alliance and Green Left Weekly correspondent.  Come
along to hear her views on the best way to defeat these latest attacks on
workers' rights in this country.

Hello,

This email message is a notification to let you know that
a file has been uploaded to the Files area of the AN_SA
group.

   File        : /Cuba Public Meeting.jpg
   Uploaded by : bobbriton <bobbrit@...>
   Description : Punbilc Meeting with Cuban Trade Unionist

You can access this file at the URL

http://au.groups.yahoo.com/group/AN_SA/files/Cuba%20Public%20Meeting.jpg

To learn more about file sharing for your group, please visit

http://help.yahoo.com/help/au/groups/files

Regards,

bobbriton <bobbrit@...>

Australia's role in East Timor: friendly neighbour or regional imperialist?

 Resistance Public Forum

4:30 Thursday June 15th

Resistance Centre- 34a Hindley St

The arrival of foriegn troops in East Timor has been supported pretty much across the East Timorese political spectrum. However, are Howard's motivations purely selfless? What role has Australia played historically in contributing to the current instability in East Timor? What should the response of solidarity activists be? Also at this meeting we will begin to discuss the Resistance national conference, which is only a month away!

After the meeting, stick around for pizza, because at 7pm there is a Socialist Alliance public meeting on

Rann's South Australia: Defence State or State of War?

with  guest speaker Stephen Darley from NOWAR.

for info phone 8231 6981

Spotlight Action Alert

The Western Workers Fight Back Committee will be holding a protest outside the
Port Adelaide Spotlight store (in the Bi-Lo car park near Centrelink – enter
from Dale Street) at 10AM on Saturday June 17.

Spotlight has been in the news lately for its policy of putting new employees
on Australian Workplace Agreements that strip penalty rates, incentive-based
payments, overtime pay, rest breaks, annual leave loading and public holiday
pay from workers in exchange for 2 cent increase in the base rate of pay.
Spotlight has also tried to switch existing employees onto the outrageous new
AWAs.

Come with placards to show your support for Spotlight workers and your
rejection of this outrageous attack on their pay and conditions.

Information: Bob on 0418 894 366

World Refugee Day Public Forum: What's happening to our humanity?


Tuesday 20 June 2006

5.45pm for a 6.00pm start
UniSA City West Campus, Hans Heysen Building (H4-08): map
<http://www.unisa.edu.au/about/campuses/cwmap.asp>





Presented by Amnesty International (SA/NT)


Supported by The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre, UniSA



Bookings: via Amnesty International Adelaide office T: 8110 8100 or E:
sant@...





Speakers include:


*      Representatives of the 42 recently arrived Papuan Refugees
*      Don McMaster - Justice for Refugees SA
*      Roberto Carlos - Former Baxter Detainee
*      Ognjen (Ogy) Simic - Young Citizen of the Year (SA)



Tuesday 20 June is World Refugee Day and Amnesty International (SA/NT)
with the support of the Australian West Papua Association, The
Australian Refugee Association and the Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial
Centre are hosting a public forum to highlight the plight of refugees in
Australia.

In light of the current Migration Act changes currently being debated by
the Federal Parliament in relation to off shore detention centres,
Amnesty International feels that it is important for members of the
community to have the opportunity to discuss the human rights concerns
and learn more about the current treatment of refugees in Australia.






Forthcoming Hawke Centre events:



Bookings: via the Hawke Centre web site: www.hawkecentre.unisa.edu.au
<http://www.hawkecentre.unisa.edu.au/>  or RSVP line 08 8302 0215



Adelaide Thinkers in Residence Public Lectures

Jointly presented by Adelaide Thinkers in Residence and The Bob Hawke
Prime Ministerial Centre, UniSA

5.45pm for a 6.00pm start - Adelaide Town Hall

*      Housing the Homeless - Whatever it takes
<http://www.unisa.edu.au/hawke/>  with Rosanne Haggerty - Monday 10 July

*      Creating a Climate for Change - How SA can make a difference to
global warming and reduce its vulnerability
<http://www.unisa.edu.au/hawke/>  with Stephen Schneider - Tuesday 18
July





Water Lessons: defending ecosystems and resurrecting community rights
<http://www.unisa.edu.au/hawke/>

International alert series forum: Jointly presented by World Vision
Australia and AusAID and supported by the Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial
Centre, UniSA

Tuesday 1 August

5.15pm for 5.30pm start - Adelaide Town Hall







Louise Carnell

Project Coordinator

The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre



University of South Australia

Yungondi Building - Y3-53A

70 North Terrace Adelaide SA 5000



T: +61 8 8302 0371

F: +61 8 8302 0420

E: louise.carnell@... <mailto:louise.carnell@...>

W: www.hawkecentre.unisa.edu.au <http://www.hawkecentre.unisa.edu.au>



Visit our web site at: www.hawkecentre.unisa.edu.au
<blocked::http://www.hawkecentre.unisa.edu.au>

We welcome your interest in the Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre's
program and your presence on our e-database.  The Hawke Centre, at the
University of South Australia, uses this database to provide you with
updated information.



Should you prefer to no longer receive information from the Hawke Centre
in this manner could you please reply to this email with 'UNSUBSCRIBE'
in the subject line and we will remove you from our email database
immediately.






----- End forwarded message -----

Please circulate this information to colleagues who may be interested in attending…. Your assistance in the promotion of these events is greatly appreciated.

 

 

World Refugee Day Public Forum: What's happening to our humanity?

Tuesday 20 June 2006

5.45pm for a 6.00pm start
UniSA City West Campus, Hans Heysen Building (H4-08): map

 

Presented by Amnesty International (SA/NT)

Supported by The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre, UniSA

Bookings: via Amnesty International Adelaide office T: 8110 8100 or E: sant@... 

 

Speakers include:

• Representatives of the 42 recently arrived Papuan Refugees
• Don McMaster – Justice for Refugees SA
• Roberto Carlos – Former Baxter Detainee
• Ognjen (Ogy) Simic – Young Citizen of the Year (SA)

 

Tuesday 20 June is World Refugee Day and Amnesty International (SA/NT) with the support of the Australian West Papua Association, The Australian Refugee Association and the Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre are hosting a public forum to highlight the plight of refugees in Australia.

In light of the current Migration Act changes currently being debated by the Federal Parliament in relation to off shore detention centres, Amnesty International feels that it is important for members of the community to have the opportunity to discuss the human rights concerns and learn more about the current treatment of refugees in Australia.

 

Forthcoming Hawke Centre events:

 

Bookings: via the Hawke Centre web site: www.hawkecentre.unisa.edu.au or RSVP line 08 8302 0215

 

Adelaide Thinkers in Residence Public Lectures

Jointly presented by Adelaide Thinkers in Residence and The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre, UniSA

5.45pm for a 6.00pm start – Adelaide Town Hall

• Housing the Homeless – Whatever it takes with Rosanne Haggerty – Monday 10 July  
• Creating a Climate for Change – How SA can make a difference to global warming and reduce its vulnerability with Stephen Schneider – Tuesday 18 July  

 

 

Water Lessons: defending ecosystems and resurrecting community rights

International alert series forum: Jointly presented by World Vision Australia and AusAID and supported by the Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre, UniSA

Tuesday 1 August

5.15pm for 5.30pm start – Adelaide Town Hall

 

 

 

Louise Carnell

Project Coordinator

The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre

 

University of South Australia

Yungondi Building - Y3-53A

70 North Terrace Adelaide SA 5000

 

T: +61 8 8302 0371

F: +61 8 8302 0420

E: louise.carnell@...

W: www.hawkecentre.unisa.edu.au

 

Visit our web site at: www.hawkecentre.unisa.edu.au

We welcome your interest in the Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre’s program and your presence on our e-database.  The Hawke Centre, at the University of South Australia, uses this database to provide you with updated information.

 

Should you prefer to no longer receive information from the Hawke Centre in this manner could you please reply to this email with 'UNSUBSCRIBE' in the subject line and we will remove you from our email database immediately.

 

 

Send instant messages to your online friends http://au.messenger.yahoo.com

World Refugee Day Public Forum: What's happening to our humanity?


Tuesday 20 June 2006

5.45pm for a 6.00pm start
UniSA City West Campus, Hans Heysen Building (H4-08): map
<http://www.unisa.edu.au/about/campuses/cwmap.asp>





Presented by Amnesty International (SA/NT)


Supported by The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre, UniSA



Bookings: via Amnesty International Adelaide office T: 8110 8100 or E:
sant@...





Speakers include:


* Representatives of the 42 recently arrived Papuan Refugees
* Don McMaster - Justice for Refugees SA
* Roberto Carlos - Former Baxter Detainee
* Ognjen (Ogy) Simic - Young Citizen of the Year (SA)



Tuesday 20 June is World Refugee Day and Amnesty International (SA/NT)
with the support of the Australian West Papua Association, The
Australian Refugee Association and the Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial
Centre are hosting a public forum to highlight the plight of refugees in
Australia.

In light of the current Migration Act changes currently being debated by
the Federal Parliament in relation to off shore detention centres,
Amnesty International feels that it is important for members of the
community to have the opportunity to discuss the human rights concerns
and learn more about the current treatment of refugees in Australia.






Forthcoming Hawke Centre events:



Bookings: via the Hawke Centre web site: www.hawkecentre.unisa.edu.au
<http://www.hawkecentre.unisa.edu.au/>  or RSVP line 08 8302 0215



Adelaide Thinkers in Residence Public Lectures

Jointly presented by Adelaide Thinkers in Residence and The Bob Hawke
Prime Ministerial Centre, UniSA

5.45pm for a 6.00pm start - Adelaide Town Hall

* Housing the Homeless - Whatever it takes
<http://www.unisa.edu.au/hawke/>  with Rosanne Haggerty - Monday 10 July

* Creating a Climate for Change - How SA can make a difference to
global warming and reduce its vulnerability
<http://www.unisa.edu.au/hawke/>  with Stephen Schneider - Tuesday 18
July





Water Lessons: defending ecosystems and resurrecting community rights
<http://www.unisa.edu.au/hawke/>

International alert series forum: Jointly presented by World Vision
Australia and AusAID and supported by the Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial
Centre, UniSA

Tuesday 1 August

5.15pm for 5.30pm start - Adelaide Town Hall







Louise Carnell

Project Coordinator

The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre



University of South Australia

Yungondi Building - Y3-53A

70 North Terrace Adelaide SA 5000



T: +61 8 8302 0371

F: +61 8 8302 0420

E: louise.carnell@... <mailto:louise.carnell@...>

W: www.hawkecentre.unisa.edu.au <http://www.hawkecentre.unisa.edu.au>



Visit our web site at: www.hawkecentre.unisa.edu.au
<blocked::http://www.hawkecentre.unisa.edu.au>

We welcome your interest in the Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre's
program and your presence on our e-database.  The Hawke Centre, at the
University of South Australia, uses this database to provide you with
updated information.



Should you prefer to no longer receive information from the Hawke Centre
in this manner could you please reply to this email with 'UNSUBSCRIBE'
in the subject line and we will remove you from our email database
immediately.






----- End forwarded message -----

South Australia: Defence State or State of War?

Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas & United International Pictures
invite you and a guest to attend
the must see film for 2006



"an inconvenient truth"

Humanity is sitting on a time bomb.  If the vast majority of the world's
scientists are right, we have just ten years to avert a major catastrophe that
could send our entire planet's climate system into a tail-spin of epic
destruction involving extreme weather, floods, droughts, epidemics and killer
heat waves beyond anything we have ever experienced - a catastrophe of our own
making.

If that sounds like a recipe for serious gloom and doom - think again.  From
director Davis Guggenheim comes the Sundance Film Festival hit, AN
INCONVENIENT TRUTH, which offers a passionate and inspirational look at one
man's commitment to expose the myths and misconceptions that surround global
warming and inspire actions to prevent it.  That man is former US Vice
President Al Gore, who, in the wake of defeat in the 2000 election, re-set the
course of his life to focus on an all-out effort to help save the planet from
irrevocable change.  In this eye-opening and poignant portrait of Gore and
his "travelling global warming show", Gore is funny, engaging, open and
downright on fire about getting the surprisingly stirring truth about what he
calls our "planetary emergency" out to ordinary citizens before it's too late.


World Environment Day
Monday June 5

noon - drinks and light lunch provided
12:30pm screening commences

Nova Cinema
251 Rundle Street, Adelaide

RSVP Kathryn McGowan
8351 8725 or kathryn_mcgowan@...



Anna O'Connor
Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas
Rundle Street
Adelaide  SA  5000
t:  08 8232 3434
f:  08 8232 3335
e:  anna@...
www.palacenova.com
NOW SHOWING:  THREE BURIALS OF MELQUIADES ESTRADA, CANDY, SEPARATE LIES, HOW
MUCH DO YOU LOVE ME, NEIL YOUNG: HEART OF GOLD, MANUAL OF LOVE, Comedian DAVE
CHAPPELLE'S BLOCK PARTY, HIDDEN, THE WHITE COUNTESS, KOKODA, WATER, THE SQUID
& THE WHALE,, MARCH OF THE PENGUINS,

COMING SOON :   THE CATERPILLAR WISH (shot on location in Robe), John
Malkovich in COLOUR ME KUBRICK, Roman Polanski's OLIVER TWIST

----- End forwarded message -----

NOW SHOWING:  THREE BURIALS OF MELQUIADES ESTRADA, CANDY, SEPARATE LIES, HOW MUCH DO YOU LOVE ME, NEIL YOUNG: HEART OF GOLD, MANUAL OF LOVE, Comedian DAVE CHAPPELLE'S BLOCK PARTY, HIDDEN, THE WHITE COUNTESS, KOKODA, WATER, THE SQUID & THE WHALE,, MARCH OF THE PENGUINS,

COMING SOON :   THE CATERPILLAR WISH (shot on location in Robe), John Malkovich in COLOUR ME KUBRICK, Roman Polanski's OLIVER TWIST

Please pass on...
Attachemnts referred to below are in the ANSA files section.

Helen

From: Mike Donaldson [mailto:miked@...]
Sent: Tuesday, May 30, 2006 12:14 PM
Subject: Urgent - Timor Leste


Friends
This situation is urgent.
1
Below is an email from Helen Hill which provides a useful
perspective of the current crisis in Timor Leste.


2
Attached is the paper she refers to from the Maubere Study Group (no
affiliation with FRETILIN) – an analysis of the Governments policies
and political directions.


3
Attached is also the statement yesterday from Mari Alkitari, PM of
Timor Leste and one from today
Key points are:
1.    Alkitari and Gusmao have not split. They do have legitimate
political differences but Alkitari asserts that he and Xanana are
working cooperatively together and that he has no reason to expect
that Xanana wil do anything but respect the constitution they fought
for.
2.    The gangs fighting in the streets of Dili are not disaffected
Falantil or FRETILIN people. Authorities do not know who they are,
and they are surprisingly well armed. Falantil forces remain in
barracks.
3.    This is an attempted coup – but it is not clear exactly who
the forces behind it are. Howard's criticism of Timor Leste's
Government is at best untimely and at worst a calculated effort to
increase the instability of the situation and assist the overthrow
of the Government. The Potugese Govt have accused him of interfering
in the politics of Timor Leste.
4.    Contrast Howard's criticism with World Bank boss Wolfowitz
praise of the Timor Leste Governments record of good governance. Why
have the media not questioned this and asked for evidence of
corruption and poor governance.
5.    Note that FRETILIN was elected to the constituent assembly in
2001 with 57% of the vote. In the regional elections late last year
they received over 80% of the vote.
6.    Next election due in a few months. An armed overthrow of an
elected Government is totally unacceptable.
Please circulate this information to as many people, organisations
as possible especially politicians and media people
Ben Bartlett


Tel 02 4268 3781
Mobile 0419 851 049
FAX 02 4268 2985
Email ben.bartlett@...
Friends,
For the past couple of weeks I have had an uneasy feeling that the
Howard Government wanted to overthrow the elected Prime Minister of
East Timor Mari Alkatiri, now they are almost saying it in the
statement below. And judging from my very depressing viewing
of 'Lateline' last night it seems that the Australian media and
possibly even the Labor Party are not only going along with it but
seem to be accepting Howard's interpretation of Timorese politics
without question.  Maxine McKew of course tried to put words into
the Parliamentarians mouths 'wouldn't you say there's not much
support for Alkatiri?' she asked Malcolm Turnbull and Peter Garrett,
they could hardly say 'No, he's the only one who knows how to
protect his country from World Bank neo-liberal economic policies
which would be a disaster' as they probably haven't even heard the
arguments.
When questioned about Alkatiri, all Damien Kingsbury and his ilk can
come up with is that 'he is arrogant'.  Now why is arrogance
suddenly a cause for dismissal and overthrow?  The Australian and
The Bulletin have been calling for Alkatiri's overthrow for several
years now.
Howard obviously doesn't like him because he came back for more
revenues from the TImor Sea when Howard thought it was all settled.
And Howard missquotes the World Bank's report on Timor as part of
his campaign against Alkatiri.  Rather surprisingly Wolfowitz put
out a press release a couple of days ago where he said "As I said
during my visit there in April, Timor-Leste has achieved much thanks
to the country's sensible leadership and sound decision making which
have
helped put in place the building blocks for a stable peace and a
growing economy.  It seemed to have achieved a degree of social and
political harmony and stability that was remarkable against the
background of the country's tragic history.  I hope that the current
situation will be resolved soon so that Timor-Leste's future can be
one of hope, opportunity, and peace. "
I am also attaching a document which might interest some of you, it
is from the Maubere Study Group, a new political organization in
Dili whose founders are the leader of the Student movement in the
National University during the Indonesian occupation, Antero
Benedito da Silva and the current Moderator of the Protestant
Church, Francisco de Vasconcelos.  It is largely made up of civil
society movers and shakers. I went to a conference they organized at
Easter which had over 200 participants.  They represent a point of
view you will not hear in the Australian media.  All the people who
were quoted
authoritatively on the ABC last weekend saying Alkatiri would be
defeated at the FRETILIN Congress are totally discredited people,
yet they managed to get on prime time Australian media, how is this?
Why is it that no voices supporting the democratically elected
government and Prime Minister are to be head on the Australian
media, and Maxine McKew just voices hearsay with an uncritical
attitude she would not use if she was talking about American
politics.
The disagreement between Alkatiri and Xanana is another cause for
much misinformation, they do have differences, but they are
legitimate political differences, which are to be expected in a
multi-party system, just as John Howard and Steve Bracks have
political differences, but this doesn't bring the Federal system
tumbling down when they have to co-operate on a health policy.  They
are, in fact co-operating correctly as they are required to do under
the constitution although they might have a different view as to
what should happen.
If you have anything to do with the Labor Party or can contact any
Labor MPs please see if you can make sure they avoid falling into
the government's trap as the Australian media appears to have done.
(I was however pleased to hear Beazley saying that fingers shouldn't
be pointed until it is determined who is at fault). There is an
election in Timor-Leste next year, any forcing of the elected Prime
Minister to be removed before then would be a tragedy for the growth
of Timorese democracy and reflect very badly on outside forces that
were trying to bring it about.  It would plunge Timor-Leste into 20
years of chaos like Fiji.
Helen
PS all this talk about ethnic conflict is rubbish too, there is
regional rivalry which was encouraged by the Portuguese, the
Indonesians and now some other shadowy figures - 'conflict
entrepreneurs' as they are called in Solomon Islands. But it is not
strictly speaking 'ethnic' as Timorese have been intermarrying for
centuries with people from China, Europe, Africa, Arabia, India etc.
and during the occupation the moved all over the country.
From: "Helen M Hill" <helenh@...>



Also worth reading - Helen Hills' `Why do Australians want Mari
Alkatiri out of the Prime Ministership of East Timor?'


http://www.search.org.au/news/Hill_australians_mari_alk_May06.htm