On October 12, two bombs ripped through a packed discotheque in Bali,
killing more than 200 people and injuring
some 300. Most of those who died were young people, many of them
Australians. Marxists condemn this act of senseless killing. However,
the declarations of Bush and Blair are full of the most disgusting
hypocrisy.
They are taking cynical advantage of the grief and anger at the latest
terrorist
atrocity for the purpose of drumming up support for their plans for war.
This article deals with the background and the consequences of the recent
Bali blast from an Indonesian perspective. In a future article the author will deal with the economic situation
in Indonesia, developments in the class struggle and the perspectives for the
left.
Mass strikes of public transportation drivers started on Monday, January 6, in a number of
Indonesian cities. Street protests continue against the IMF sponsored cuts in subsidies
which have provoked a price hike. Although still relatively small these protests could
become more massive in the coming days. Particularly important is the call for a
nation-wide strike for Thursday January 9 (today) by a front of 23 different trade
unions which could halt industry in many parts of the country.