WIDF Bulletin (1947): Indonesia, Dutch aggression and women's solidarity

=== [PDF page 1] === Qng Sab, Se Ke ithuarnt the ould nass that ructgle tish leir exnist vho arn eir No. Z2/ADER FRANCE,, The Friends of Peace organized in Paris on November 10th and 11th their National Conference under the slogan: Do not wait for Peace, Conquer It! About 500 delegates from 35 Departments attended thig meeting of the Friends of Peace. Some were trade unionists, _ other housewives, members of the Union of French Wo- Committee of the W.LD.F. lies in the fact that it appeals to women who so far have remained outside democratic movements and who, in order to conquer peace” come to us in great numbers, \ | The agenda of the. National Conference included various reports: "Germany must not,remain a threat”, "U.N.O.”, Childhood”. | This conference was held at a time where the agreement of Geneva was about to be signed. A delegation viier, who expressed the anxiety of the Friends of Peace at the prospect of thig agreement which would threaten French independence. The Friends of Peace asked the Prime Minister to see that France does not sign this In their resolution, the Friends of Peace unanimously undertook the struggle for peace: By opposing resolutely the American stranglehold on our country as it threatens dur independence. —By promoting the return of France to the road of democracy in 0 far ag it is inseparable from peace. —By defending France's right to reparations and particularly to coal. For the success of this struggle for peace, all the member organizations ‘of the French Committee of the W.ILD.F. pledged to increase their efforts in their fields, to publicize all the campaigns and all the work of the W.LD.F. ‘They also undertook to coordinate their efforts to carry out action in favour of peace and to develop throughout France a vast network of Committees of the Friends of Peace open to ali French women. November 11th, the Friends of Peace paraded down the Champs- Blysées and paid tribute to the unknown soldier who symbolizes for ‘them all sthose who gave their life for the independence of our country, all those who perished, who were shot, deported, and murdered. It ia in order that their sacrifice should mot have been in vain that the Friends of Peace repeated the pledge of the International Women’s Congress of 1945, wore to fight for peace in the nae INDONESIA.; A_short while ago the Secretariat received a letter from the "Congrese of Indonesian Women’ dated last February, prior to the open aggression of the Netherlands against Indonesia. can be seen from the following excerpts of this: letter, the Dutch ‘troops had already at that time begun their attacks in Indonesia, ° === [PDF page 2] === "In violation of the Dutch Constitution, troops have been sent to Indonesia. It is the famous December 7th” Division which at present occupies the islands outside Java and Sumatra as well as the most important borts in the regions under Republican control. Armed action is carried out between these Dutch forces and our Republic troops. Every day many sons of Indonesia fall in_ battle; they belong either to the Republican Army or to the Indonesian Peaple’s Forces. The whole Indonesian nation is struggling to retain acquired freedom. We, Indonesian women, take part in this struggle. All the women’s organizations are staunchly behind the Indonesian Republic, irrespective of race, of political or national aims. It is only in free Indonesia that the democratic principles can be developed and it will be possible to live according to these principles. Nearly all women’s organizations are based on democratic principles. We are fighting against imperialism and as we are suffering from the action of Dutch imperialists, we are protesting against them. We do not want their army in our land to oppress our people. In all the territories where people suffer terribly from the war, where as in the interior of Java and Sumatra and in other regions held by the Republicans peace and order prevails. In those places, the people have already started the reconstruccen and rehabilitation of the Repu- “Indonesian women fully understand their position in the face of these tasks of reconstruction. They do verything in their power to support the Government. They even show great interest and sympathy in connection with political, social, and economic questions. They take an active part in the fighting. "It is with great pleasure that we learned that Dutch women’s organizations in Holland have protested against the sending of troops to Indonesia. We are grateful to them and hope that they will carry on their action’ The "Netherland’s Women's Movement” is pursuing an active.campaign in favour of the Indonesian Women fighting for their independence. On August 14th it forwarded a telegram to the Security Council of U.N.O., a copy of which was sent to Mrs. Roosevelt, demanding that a speedy end be put to the war against the Republic. In spite of the repeated orders of “cease fire” by the Security Council, Dutch troops are still attacking in Indonesia. The national branches of the W.I.D.F. together with all democratic erganizations must carry out an energetic campaign against this colonial war which brings death and devastation to a people whose only crime is to want to be free. ’ -ani the tio) ant fro sur the but con stn are Roc tati