Posted on 26-4-2002

Aceh, Erwanto Exposes Hidden War

Erwanto (he has only one name) is the International officer, Acehnese
Popular Democratic Resistance Front (FPDRA). His visit marks the first time
that an Acehnese leader has visited Aotearoa for a public speaking tour. He
arrives on Sunday 28 April, 2002, 15-40pm (QF042).

Erwanto will offer a challenging first hand perspective on issues of human
rights, militarisation, and self-determination just as Prime Minister Helen
Clark prepares to leave to visit Indonesia. President Megawati's government
has recently authorised stepped up military operations and a revived
separate military command in Aceh.

Erwanto's Auckland public meeting will be : Ellen Melville Hall ( Freyberg
Place - opposite Metropolis Hotel) on Tuesday 30 April at 7-30 pm. In
Wellington he will speak on Thursday 2 May at St Johns, cnr Dixon and
Willis St at 7-30 pm.

Aceh on the northern tip of Sumatra is in the grip of a hidden war. The
province, where most live in great poverty, has long resisted outside rule,
and military repression has intensified under the new government of
Megawati Sukarnoputri. At least 1700 people were killed last year and human
rights atrocities happen on a daily basis. Erwanto represents an open
civilian movement that supports peaceful methods for achieving change. He
is a former student activist, and his political skills were honed in the
Indonesian-wide movement to get rid of Suharto. He has been active in the
campaign against indiscriminate logging and in support of the peasant
farmers. Erwanto's organisation also opposes the giant, multinational
Exxon-Mobil which is widely alleged to have given logistic aid to the
Indonesian military to support their repressive and abusive control over
the people.

Erwanto is New Zealand at the invitation of the Indonesian Human Rights
Committee. He is available for meetings and briefings, by phoning for
further information: Maire Leadbeater 09-815-9000 or 025-436-957