What is really happening in Timor? Forum July 6

Media Release: July 6, 2006

What is really happening in Timor?
Public Forum Thursday July 6

Recent events in Timor have been unsettling and traumatic for the newly independent nation. The national police force has dissolved, houses and offices have been burnt and looted, thousands of people have been displaced and the government is in the process of replacing the former Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri after allegations were made that he helped arm civilians.

Australian observers witnessing the tumultuous events of the last two months have raised a number of questions: Why has this happened? What role has Australia and the rest of the international community played? How does East Timor move forward from here? What is the best way to help East Timor and its people in the wake of such confusing and traumatic events?

Union Aid Abroad – APHEDA, AID/WATCH and Unions NSW will be presenting a public forum on East Timor, Thursday July 6 at the Sydney Trades Hall Auditorium from 12:00pm - 2:00pm. The forum, titled “What Happened? Why? Where to Next?” will be an opportunity to shed light on some of these issues.

“East Timor has been in a state of uncertainty since March this year. It’s been very difficult to understand what is actually going on,” Thushara Dibley from Union Aid Abroad – APHEDA. “The forum is an opportunity for people to listen to speakers actively engaged in East Timor and to participate in open dialogue over the future implications of these complex events .”

Speakers at the Forum:

Elisabeth Lino de Araujo – Union Aid Abroad – APHEDA East Timor
Dr Tim Anderson - long time observer of East Timor from AID/WATCH,
Peter Jennings - Executive Officer from Union Aid Abroad – APHEDA,
Diana Lobo – member of the East Timorese community in Sydney and
Tim Brunero - Union Activist and supporter of East Timor.

“TIMOR - What Happened, Why and Where to Next?”
12 – 2pm, Thursday July 6
Sydney Trades Hall Auditorium,
4 Goulburn Street, Haymarket (Chinatown)

ENDS

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