Solidarity Statement for Bolivia

Last August, the Bolivian people show significant support for Evo Morales leadership in a referendum that gave him the mandate to extend, expand, and deepen social transformations carried out by the MAS party led government. He won 67.41% of votes in 95 out of 112 provinces across the country. The opposition, centred around an oligarchy of big businessmen, landlords and multinational supporters in four departments (Santa Cruz, Beni, Pando and Tarija), has been fighting for autonomy and secession, fearing the encroachment of the Morales administration's progressive projects, which seeks to transfer the profit of natural resources, particularly oil and gas, from the hands of the transnationals and oligarchy to the Bolivian people.

Bolivia is a country rich in natural resources. Although it gained formal independence from Spanish colonialism since 1825, Bolivia today - particularly its numerical majority indegenous population - is still struggling to free itself from colonial racist mentality and US imperialism. Recently, the US made another vulgar intervention through its ambassador, Philip Goldberg, who publicly supported and actively backed right-wing groups by providing funds and logistic support, as well as directing the media to lead the coup. This is similar to US subversion in Venezuela in 2002, which cooperated with the oligarchy to overthrow Chavez, but with failed results. At this moment, Bolivian opposition's right-wing groups, supported by the US, are launching violent attack against the poor, Morales supporters; taking over and destroy public facilities; blockading the roads to disrupt distribution of goods; as well as bombing and shooting civilians in several places, such as at CEJIS office, an NGO that defends indigenous rights.

There are at least several reasons for US interference in the coup: first, the US wishes to stop Latin American integration process that will potentially create another international political bloc that would diminish US influence in the region, as well as internationally. Second, the US attempted to blockade or stop the influence of leftist governments - born out of people's rebellion against neoliberalism - particularly in hydrocarbon producing countries, such as Bolivia, Venezuela, and Ecuador to safeguard US geopolitical interest and its corporations' control over raw materials and hydrocarbon.

Bolivian people's struggle to uphold their national sovereignty and control over natural resources have never been acknowledged and respected by the imperialist states, particularly the US. They, the US and its allies, not only do this to Bolivia and Latin America, but also to other countries in Asia, Africa, and Eastern Europe which attempt to be self-sufficient and self-reliance. In Indonesia, the intervention of the US and its transnational power have overthrown Sukarno's progressive government in the 60s and paved the way for full capitalist exploitation of Indonesia's natural and human resources. Up until now in Indonesia, the US remains the most powerful and dominant imperialist power that have been committing economic violence in its implementation of the "Washington Consensus", which have thrown more than half of the population to the abyss of poverty, destroyed domestic industries, and doomed the workers into exploitative working condition. Therefore, the Indonesian people also find itself in the midst of the struggle against imperialist domination.

In connection with increasing US intervention in the political crisis in Bolivia and Latin America in general, we the National Liberation Party of Unity (PAPERNAS), who fights for the national liberation of Indonesia from the yoke of imperialism, declared the following:

1. to demand that the US immediately stop its intervention in destabilising Evo Morales government, - A government which was elected and given the mandate by the people of Bolivia to bring about changes in the country;

2. to demand the end of violence carried out by right-wing groups; fascists armed gangs, militias and other irregular organisations formed by the local rulers under US assistance;

3. to demand the UN to sanction and to press the US to withdraw from Bolivia and Latin America;

4. to call for the international community to strengthen its solidarity with the Bolivian people and Morales government by sending protest letters to any US representatives;

5. to support the struggle of the Bolivian people and the Morales government that strive to uphold its national sovereignty, to free itself from foreign interference and pressures that want to control Bolivia's natural resources.

To Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono administration:

1. To demand that the President file a protest to the US government, asking them to immediately withdraw from Bolivia and other regions in turmoil due to US interference;

2. To expel US ambassador for Indonesia as a form of solidarity for Bolivia, if the protest was not responded;

3. To start the process of expropriating US companies in Indonesia and directed them to serve the needs and welfare of the Indonesian people;

4. To forge cooperation with exploited countries in the world, as a way out from the domination of the US and its allies in international political arena.

Jakarta, September 18, 2008



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Solidarity Statement by the National Liberation Party of Unity (Papernas) of Indonesia for the the Coalition Against Inflation (Protes) of Malaysia th

The decline in society's living standard due to neoliberal policies implemented by the ruling government is a global trend affecting the majority of world's population. People's resistance against this threat to their welfare is experiencing its upsurge in Malaysia, particularly as the opposition forces are increasingly united in mass actions against anti-people policies of the ruling Barisan Nasional government.

On the other side, the regime still upholds and retains obsolete legislation that stifles basic human rights and democracy such as the Internal Security Act (ISA) to keep suppressing the ever growing movement of the Malaysian people. In the recent months, the world has witnessed a series of protests carried out by the Malaysian opposition that were met with large scale repression by the security forces. On January 26 2008, the Malaysian police once again used excessive force in dismissing peaceful demonstration organised by the opposition under the Coalition Against Inflation (Protes) at the heart of Kuala Lumpur. The security force used the draconian Police Act to circumvent the rights of freedom of assembly and expression guaranteed under Article 10 of the Malaysian Federal Constitution. At least 54 people were detained by the Police in relation to Protes' peaceful demonstration.

Therefore the National Liberation Party of Unity (Papernas)

1. Condemn the use of force by the Malaysian police and demand the release of all detainees;
2. Expresses its solidarity with the Coalition Against Inflation (Protes) in its struggle against price hike;
3. Expresses its solidarity with the Malaysian pro-democracy and anti-neoliberal movement that struggle against the Barisan Nasional regime;

Jakarta, 27 January 20008

In Solidarity,

Agus Jabo Priono

Chairperson

PAPERNAS

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Protest letter to President Musharraf,

We have heard about the arrests of Farooq Tariq and other members of Pakistan Labour Party at September 27, 007 in Lahore . And to our surprise, we were confirmed that this is the third time in the last three months. We write this letter to express our protest to General Musharraf Regime and all his security apparatus.

Peaceful demonstrations of groups of unarmed people, rejecting the second presidential nomination of Musharraf, is a political expression that does not tolerate any kinds of repression. Only an authoritarian government could act that way. And by really doing so, we think that this even confirm the rightness of the rejection by the Labour Party of Pakistan toward the second presidential nomination of Musharraf. We believe that authoritarian government, whose violating the political rights of the people should not, in any way, be given mandate and trust to lead the nation in the future. Putting the Anti-Terrorist Act as a charge against these political activists has shown us further that the government of Musharraf is using the George Bush’ War on Terror instruments to forcibly strengthen his undemocratic power. We demand our comrades released at this very moment. We also strongly demand that other political prisoners must be released as well. Autoritarian government should have no place anywhere in this world at this 21^st century of the human civilization.

We express our comradely symphaty to our comrades-in-arrest as well as their families. We hope that they could be released immediately so that they could go back to their struggle and their families. In the mean time, let us then strengthen our solidarity and political relation to continue our struggle against imperialism, both at home and all over the world.

Agus Priyono

Chairperson of Papernas

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Solidarity for the People of Myanmar

National Liberation Party of Unity (PAPERNAS) - Indonesia

Solidarity for the People of Myanmar:

The Struggle for Popular Democracy.

Withdraw The Indonesian Ambassador from Myanmar!

The political crisis in Myanmar has entered its boiling point after days of consecutive protests led by monks, hundreds of thousands of people, including pro-democracy groups, were met with violent reaction by the military Junta. These protests were an accumulation of previously widespread protests by the people against a 500% fuel price hike, which also rocketed prices and transportation costs. A stagnant economy, worsened by the centralization of the entire economic resources in the hands of the Junta creates huge disparity in Myanmar’s economic image. With a population of 54.7 million, Myanmar is actually blessed with a large productive force; nevertheless, the unemployment rate under the military junta’s rule reached 18.34 million people in 1998/98 and by 2005 the number had increased by 5%. A wage comparison of workers to lower class soldiers show a striking disproportion. Workers’ wages only experienced an increase of 5000 kyat as opposed to military personnel’s increase of more than 10,000- 16.000 kyat. Within the political sphere, the junta’s government - which calls itself the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) - controls and bans any mass media and telecommunications that criticize government’s policy.

After gaining its independence in January 4, 1948, the democratic government led by U Nu only lasted a few years before being overthrown by a military coup in 1962. Since then the military regime has carried out a planned economic development strategy named the “Burmese Way towards Socialism” nationalizing all industry except for the agriculture sector. In 1988 a student movement in Yangon, known as the “8888” rebellion, came to the surface to demand the overthrow of the military regime. The student rebellion, which was joined by the people, was repressed by the military; about 3000 students, pro-democracy activists and civilians were killed by the military. In 1990, people’s resistance resurfaced with the National League for Democracy’s electoral win. The NLD won more than 80% of the votes but the election result was annulled by the military, and NLD’s leader Aung Sang Suu Kyi was arrested by the military junta.

The political-economic situation that currently reigns in Myanmar bears some resemblance to the situation in Indonesia under Suharto’s 32-year dictatorial rule. Suharto’s government controlled all political aspects, and did not allow any freedom of union, organisation, or opinion. In the economic sphere, Suharto’s government built an economic kingdom named Soeharto .Inc where all the fruits of economic development could only be enjoyed by Suharto and his cronies. Although there are also some differences, the similarity in experience has become the basis of solidarity between the people of Indonesia and Myanmar. Myanmar military’s tendency to intervene in the political arena strikes a resemblance to the Indonesian military’s character in the past with ‘dual-function’ doctrine (that is, in essence, to be involved not only in military affairs, but also civilian - transl. )

Today the struggle of the people and pro-democracy activists in Myanmar is entering an important stage: whether they will be able to force the junta to release its power or the other way around. The situation is similar to the 1988 rebellion that failed to overthrow the military junta. There are some factors that influence the democratic struggle currently carried out by the pro-democracy activists and the Myanmar people; those are: (1) There has not existed a concrete political leadership to lead the masses. Junta’s dictatorship forced the opposition to carry out an underground struggle. The involvement of the monks in the demonstrations are still within the scope of anti-military junta, in the midst of foreign interests that has been working together with the military junta to exploit the country’s natural resources; (2) With abundant deposit of mineral resources, Myanmar has become the sought-after prize of the neighbouring foreign investor block, especially the ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) countries like Thailand and Singapore which have major investment interests under the military junta. (3) The economic sanction imposed by the US and its allies is not without interest either; the country’s natural wealth is the US’s primary target; (4) Although Myanmar represents all the characteristics of military dictatorship, it falls under the WTO and IMF economic mechanism. Therefore, the economic failure in Myanmar arises from the combination of limited liberalisation and its ruling regime.

The shooting of 9 demonstrators to death by the military junta is an unjustifiable form of atrocity. The peaceful demonstration that involved hundreds of thousands of people represents Myanmar people’s consciousness to achieve a democratic political future. Under severe military repression, we think that the main task of the pro-democracy movement and the people of Myanmar is to topple the military junta and to open as much democratic space for the political freedom and economic sovereignty for the people of Myanmar. This main goal could only be achieved when all pro-democracy forces in Myanmar--student movements, political party (NLD), armed guerillas, monks, workers, and peasants--are able to build a firm and strong united front. This united front will be the main force that will overthrow the junta, as well as carry out and lead the political transition process towards genuine democracy, Popular Democracy.

Therefore, the National Liberation Party of Unity (PAPERNAS) made the following statement:

1. To support the ongoing struggle of the people and the pro-democracy movement of Myanmar, and to call for solidarity action by people’s movement throughout the world for the struggle for democracy in Myanmar

2. The struggle for democracy is fundamental for the democracy movement in Myanmar that is striving to open up more just political space and to establish economic sovereignty. IMF and WTO’s involvement in Myanmar’s economy showed the true character of these two international institutions which have been supporting corrupt and militaristic regimes.

3. Stop the use of force against and arrests of pro-democracy activists in Myanmar. Release all opposition leaders and all political prisoners during the military junta’s rule.

4. International communities and institutions, especially the UN, must use their power to stop the military junta’s use of force. The UN must use its authority to pressure the junta government to open dialogue with the opposition and to release all political prisoners.

5. All Human Rights abusers during the military junta’s rule must be taken to the Human Rights Court to take responsibility for their deeds.

To demand the administration of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Jusuf Kalla to:

1. Withdraw the Indonesian Ambassador and diplomatic representation from Myanmar as a form of protest against the military junta, as well as a form of international solidarity commitment based on the upholding of Basic Rights as well as people’s sovereignty. This withdrawal should be done until the military junta stops any use of violence against the monks and the people of Myanmar, and creates a democratic process to form a new government

2. Actively demand ASEAN countries and the international community to get involved in pressuring the junta to stop using any form of violence against the opposition and to hand over its power to a democratic government.

Thus we present our political statement. Thank you,

Jakarta, 28 September 2007

Agus Priyono - Chairperson

Haris Sitorus - Secretary General

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