STRUGGLE IN INDONESIA Interview with Edwin Gozal, International Representative of the People's Democratic Party (All Congress documentation (including the speech to our Congrees by ANC President, Thabo Mbeki) are now up on our website ) Although the Suharto regime has now been replaced, the new government, under the leadership of President Habibie, continues the same authoritarian tradition. At the centre of the ongoing struggle is the People's Democratic Party (PRD), the largest mass opposition organisation in Indonesia. Umsebenzi: Tell our readers a bit about the history of the formation of the PRD. Gozal: We began with the student movement in late 1980s and early 90s, the young generation of Indonesian students who showed a revived interest in left wing ideas and in building student worker solidarity. For the first time we built a nation-wide students organisation called SMID ( Students In Solidarity for Democracy in Indonesia). This student's organisation became the backbone for the formation of progressive organisations such as STN ( National Peasants Union) in 1993 and PPBI ( Indonesian Centre for Labour Struggle) in 1994. On 2 May 1994, radical activists from those organisations formed a new organisation to campaign for democratic change in Indonesia and as umbrella organisation for SMID, STN and PPBI. The new organisation was called Persatuan Rakyat Demokratik (People's Democratic Union). The PDU's development was hampered following disagreements in late 1994 between central office holders and the bulk of its local representatives. The disagreement was over the priority that needed to be given to militant mass action. A new provisional presidium was elected in August 1995 following a meeting of representatives from the their city support bases. In April 1996, we held an extraordinary congress of the People's Democratic Union and transformed it into the People's Democratic Party (Partai Rakyat Demokratik/PRD). On 27 July 1996, the military regime took over PDI (Indonesian Democratic Party) headquarters that provoked riots from angry PDI supporters. The government accused PRD of masterminding the riots and decided to go after all the members of PRD. Since then, PRD and all it's affiliates have been officially banned through the decision of the Minister of Home Affairs. Umsebenzi: What is the basic political programme of the PRD and its general perspectives on revolutionary struggle in Indonesia? Gozal: The basic political programme of the PRD consists of our ideological, political and organisational components. On the ideological front we need to confront the ideology of the oppressors and exploiters within Indonesian capitalist society, we need to build a true people's consciousness which will be able to lead a democratic change. Politically, our programme revolves around the determination of tactics and strategies that need to be taken by the people toward achieving these targets, so that our democratic struggle with all of its social, political and economic elements can become a reality. In other words, mass political struggle must be developed and must be able to build a country with a popular multi-party society. Organisationally, the PRD is beyond just standing at the head of a spontaneous people's movement, it is the bearer of progressive consciousness. The PRD should be an organisational weapon of the people in their democratic struggle and beyond that. Our general perspective on revolutionary struggle in Indonesia is the revolution can be won based on the consensus of the people. The PRD considers that an organisation that is supported by the masses needs to be built. As long as these people have not been mobilised into the democratic struggle, our organisation will not been able to confront the military regime and domineering power of capitalism. However the process of the people's struggle should not be understood as a process which begins as an economic struggle and proceeds toward a political one. This can lead us toward economism and create a false political consciousness of the masses. So we don't formulate a programme which adapts to the masses consciousness, but rather we put forward a programme to the masses, a programme which takes into account objective historical reality. Umsebenzi: What has been the character of PRD involvement in the recent events leading to the resignation of Suharto and what is it's approach to the new Habibie regime? Gozal: Firstly, I would like to explain a bit about the PRD's present status. After PRD were officially banned, we were forced to remain underground. We still maintained our network and organising at the grass root level, not under the banner of the PRD, but under worker and human rights groups. Due to this atmosphere, some people thought that the PRD had been smashed and eliminated by the regime. But they didn't realise that it was the PRD which was behind strike committees and human rights group who lead many struggles. During the recent upheaval in Indonesia, the PRD displayed their banner during the last day of occupation of parliament. The PRD began distributing political leaflets in its own name and our statements were read in front of the students, receiving a strong, positive response. It was not the first time the PRD had intervened in mass upheavals. The PRD has played an important role since last January, when we had spent a lot of energy in organising and building a united front among student groups and workers. Student mobilisation in Jakarta in the last ten weeks have been organised through the Forum Kota (City Forum) involving activists from 40 campuses. Forum Kota is the result of PRD intervention since last January. Some of the student demands such as a repeal of the five repressive political laws, nationalisation of the assets of Suharto's family, his relatives and his cronies, are the result of the consistency of PRD demanding those kind of demands over the last three years. In responding to the new Habibie administration, we have a clear standpoint that we must not be deceived by Habibie's tricks. The Habibie administration is Suharto's puppet despite its recent announcement of concessions, including the release of seven political prisoners and the holding of early elections in 1999. But, the Habibie family is still a major share holder in around 60 companies that have been built through his connections with General Suharto. We will not be deceived by the compromise from Habibie but will continue to hold mass actions so that total reform can truly begin. Total reform means: Suharto, his family and his loyalists must be arrested and tried in a free and independent court; new multi-party elections must be held and organised by an independent institution; the assets of Suharto, Habibie, and their cronies must be nationalised; the five repressive political laws and dual function of armed forces must be abolished (not just reviewed); and a referendum to determine the future of East Timor must be held under the supervision of the UN and all political prisoners must be released without exception. Umsebenzi: What is the PRD's present strategic and tactical assessment of the struggle (both in Indonesia and internationally) in the context of the 'new' agenda of global capital? Gozal: The integrated nature of global capitalist power with the support of government's who have no respect for human beings, necessitates an international resistance against it. For that reason, the PRD will actively support and participate in all international forums and actions which are of a grassroots character and are opposed to oppression. We have a common enemy, neo liberalism and imperialism. So, in this atmosphere, international solidarity of pro-people organisations is very important. If we win the democratic struggle in Indonesia, it will be a big problem to succeed the government who has a foreign debt that is estimated at more than US $100 billion. Imperialism, chiefly by US, Japan, and EU won't tolerate democracy in the sense of people participation, they just want to talk market democracy. So, the internationalism is very necessary in this struggle. Umsebenzi: What is the PRD's approach to other countries political and economic relations with the present Indonesian regime and in particular, that of South Africa? Gozal: The PRD calls for democratic governments around the globe to withdraw their support to the New Order Regime, with or without Suharto. We also call for supporting the pro democratic forces in Indonesia. Cut all the military ties with the Indonesian military and cut all financial assistance for the New Order administration. Under the current regime, your financial assistance won't be channelled to the people, it will go directly to Indonesia's ruling class and bourgeoisie. For South Africa in particular, we also call for the cutting of economic ties with the New Order Regime. When Suharto went to South Africa, he tried to strengthen ties between the economic block called " Southern Africa Development Community" (SADC), and the person who is playing an important role in economic cooperation between the South African and Indonesian governments, Theo Sambuaga (now Minister of Housing and Settlement in Habibie's cabinet). We call on Nelson Mandela to continue his pressure on the Habibie administration for the release of Xanana Gusmao, the leader of the East Timorese people, as well as demanding the release of all political prisoners, including PRD leaders and members of the old Communist Party. Umsebenzi: Is there anything you would like to say directly to the progressive forces in South Africa? Gozal: We are asking for support from the progressive forces in South Africa to put pressure on your government to withdraw their support to the New Order regime, cut economic ties and call for the release of all political prisoners.