[ETAN-key] Monitor coming E Timor elections with ETAN

[John M Miller]

Monitor elections in Timor-Leste with ETAN!

In spring 2007, Timor-Leste will hold its first 
national elections as an independent nation. Join 
ETAN in supporting free, fair election in Timor-Leste!

Voters across the country will choose their 
parliament and president. Given the tensions and 
violence that have plagued Timor-Leste this year, 
many worry that the election may not be free or 
fair. As we did for the crucial referendum in 
1999, the East Timor and Indonesia Action Network 
(ETAN) will send nonpartisan, international observers — and we need you!

Please consider volunteering with ETAN’s Observer 
Project (ETAN-OP). We especially need you if you 
have election monitoring experience; are familiar 
with Timorese history and culture; or speak 
Tetum, Indonesian or Portuguese. ETAN will 
provide training, so please apply even if you don’t have experience.

Most ETAN-OP observers will go for a few weeks, 
but ETAN-OP plans to be there from February 
through July 2007, observing the entire process. 
Observers who commit to two months or more may 
receive a stipend and travel assistance. We 
encourage all observers and supporters to do 
fundraising and outreach, both for their 
participation and for the overall project. ETAN can help with these activities.

ETAN-OP will partner with nonpartisan Timorese 
and international observers, reporting on the 
election process -- paying special attention to 
civic education, vote casting and counting, and reactions to the results.

ETAN-OP seeks to deepen international solidarity 
and organizing in the U.S. in support of the 
people of Timor-Leste. On the ground and 
person-to-person experiences are critical to 
strengthening solidarity. Observers will develop 
grassroots networks at home to support their 
monitoring and to increase solidarity between the 
peoples of the United States and Timor-Leste.

How you can support free, fair and peaceful elections in Timor-Leste:

* Become an ETAN-OP volunteer observer

* Become a U.S.-based volunteer with ETAN-OP

* Hold a fundraiser to support ETAN and the observer project

* Support an observer from your community

* Educate your community about Timor-Leste by 
organizing a speaking event, film showing or other event

* Contact your members of Congress to express concern about the elections

* Contact the media: write letters to the editor or call talk radio

* Stay involved in supporting grassroots democracy and justice for Timor-Leste

For more information, see http://etan.org/etan/obproject/

If you are interested in becoming an ETAN-OP 
volunteer observer, please contact ETAN at etan-op at etan.org or 718-596-7668.

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Support ETAN! Read a message from Noam Chomsky 
-  http://www.etan.org/etan/2006appl.htm

John M. Miller         etan at igc.org
National Coordinator, ETAN

Web site: http://www.etan.org

Send a blank e-mail message to info at etan.org to 
find out  how to learn more about East Timor on the Internet