RECEPTION FOR FALINTIL VETERANS DELEGATION TO SA

STOP PRESS: TIMOR-LESTE FALINTIL VETERANS TO VISIT ADELAIDE 20–26 April 2015

Dear supporter of Timor Leste

The Australia East Timor Friendship Association SA cordially invites you to attend a Reception for 5 veterans of FALINTIL (the East Timorese defence force that resisted the illegal occupation of the nation for 24 years), who will be in Adelaide next week as guests of the RSL during ANZAC Day events.

This invitation is also extended by the East Timor Students’ Association SA (ETSA SA) and the Honorary Consul for Timor Leste in SA, Dr Ian Leitch

Our apologies for the very late notice of this event as final details only became known today.

Details are as follows

RECEPTION FOR FALINTIL VETERANS DELEGATION TO SA

Wednesday 22 April 2015 6pm

Venue:  RAAF Mess, 1st Floor, Torrens Parade Ground, Victoria Drive, Adelaide (Entrance on south side of building) (Free parking is available in the grounds)  

Speeches from:  

Ian Leitch (T-L Hon Consul to SA), 

AETFA SA (tbc),  

ETSA-SA (tbc), 

Spokesperson for Veterans,  

MC: Rosemary McKay, Chair AETFA SA                                   

Songs by Fernando Carceres (from ETSA)                                   

Supper provided. Drinks on sale at the bar.  

Donation appreciated to help pay for catering. Timorese students exempt. Please RSVP by Tuesday midday (for catering) to: Andy Alcock ph 8371 0380; mob 0457 827014; email: andyalcock@internode.on  

 

MEDIA STATEMENT: TIMOR RESISTANCE (FALINTIL) MEMBERS GUESTS OF THE RSL FOR ANZAC DAY

The Information Officer of the Australia East Timor Friendship Association SA, Andrew Alcock, announced today that 5 veterans of FALINTIL, the East Timorese defence force that resisted the illegal occupation of the nation for 24 years will come to Adelaide next week to be guests of the RSL during ANZAC Day events.  

The initiative to bring the  veterans to South Australia was a plan of the government of Timor-Leste to explore ways that they can better help all their FALINTIL veterans. Like most soldiers, they can suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and other problems fitting back into main stream society after their military experience. In addition, the Timor-Leste Government wants to explore ways that can bring their society to realise the great sacrifice that the veterans made while defending their nation for nearly a quarter of a century.  

The 5 veterans coming to Adelaide are:   

MR PAULO ALVES SARMENTO                                                                                                          MR PEDRO DE OLIVEIRA                                                                                                                 MR FRANCISCO SARMENTO                                                                                                            MR LUCAS DA CONCEICAO SALSINHA                                                                                            MR LUCIO DINIS MARQUES  

All the men were involved in active military service during the time that they were with FALINTIL.  

Each state is hosting a delegation of FALINTIL veterans and they will be invited to be on the official dais at ANZAC Day marches and to participate in other ANZAC Day events. In some states, they will participate in the marches.  

AETFA SA considers that the decision by the RSL to host these Timorese veterans is a recognition of the great sacrifice the East Timorese made during World War 2 to assist the Australian commandos who fought there. During the war, Australia lost 40,000 lives out of a population of 7 million people. The East Timorese lost about 70,000 out of a population of half a million. It is believed that the Japanese Imperial Military targeted those villages where the Australians received assistance and about 40,000 who lost their lives were summarily executed for helping the Australians..  

Some believe that if Australia had not occupied East Timor, then a colony of Portugal, the Japanese military may not have invaded.  

The sacrifice of our East Timorese brothers and sisters is a reason why there is a very special bond between Australia and Timor-Leste.  

During their stay in Adelaide, the FALINTIL veterans will attend events organised by the AETFA SA, East Timorese students in Adelaide, members of the East Timorese diaspora and those who have worked in solidarity with Timor-Leste for many years.  

AETFA SA, which began as the Campaign for an Independent East Timor SA, will be celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.  

Andrew (Andy) Alcock                                                                                                               Information Officer                                                                                                                           Australia East Timor Friendship Association SA Inc                                                                             (PO Box 240 GoodwoodSA 5034)                                                                                                Phone:    61 8 83710480                                                                                                                  0457 827 014                                                                                                                          Email:       andyalcock@internode.on