Precedence: bulk
For Immediate Release
Senate Unanimously Urges Intensified U.S. Pressure on Indonesia
Calls for End to Militia Violence and "Free and Fair" U.N. Vote in East Timor
Contact:
John M. Miller, 718-596-7668
Lynn Fredriksson, 202-544-6911
The U.S. Senate, on June 22, 1999, unanimously passed an amendment urging a
tougher U.S. policy in support of a free and fair UN-sponsored vote in
Indonesian-occupied East Timor.
The Senate said that the Clinton administration should "immediately
intensify their efforts to prevail upon the Indonesian Government and
military " to take steps to end anti-independence militia violence and to
"allow East Timorese who have been living in exile to return to East Timor
to participate in the ballot." The vote on East Timor's political status is
scheduled for August.
The Senate especially urged the President, Secretary of State, Secretary of
Defense, and the Secretary of the Treasury (acting through the United
States representatives to international financial institutions) to
intensify their pressure on Indonesia.
The measure, an amendment to the State Department Authorization bill,
requires the administration to report to Congress within 21 days on its own
efforts and Indonesia's actions "to ensure a stable and secure environment
in East Timor." It also urges Indonesia "to grant full access to East Timor
by international human rights monitors, humanitarian organizations, and the
press."
The Senate amendment, adopted by unanimous consent, states that "[t]he
arming of anti-independence militias by members of the Indonesian military
for the purpose of sabotaging the August 8th ballot has resulted in
hundreds of civilians killed, injured or disappeared in separate attacks by
these militias who continue to act without restraint." By including
anti-independence militia members in Indonesian forces responsible for
establishing security in East Timor, the Indonesian government "violates
the May 5th agreement which states that the absolute neutrality of the
military and police is essential for holding a free and fair ballot."
The measure was proposed by a bi-partisan group of 18 Senators, led by
Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Russ Feingold (D-WI), Tom Harkin (D-IA), Mitch
McConnell (R-KY) and Jack Reed (D-RI).
Ever since the U.N., Portugal and Indonesia agreed to hold the plebiscite,
paramilitary militias, armed and backed by the Indonesian military, have
threatened, attacked and killed unarmed civilians and pro-independence
leaders in an effort to control the outcome of the vote. In early June,
Eurico Guterres, leader of one of the most notorious militia groups, was
appointed to head the civil defence unit (PAM Swakarsa) in Dili, East
Timor's capital. These units function as an arm of the Indonesian military.
A similar measure to Senate amendment, the East Timor Paramilitary
Accountability Resolution (H.Con.Res. 97) is awaiting action in the House
of Representatives. That resolution calls for a ban on U.S. military
assistance and arms transfers to Indonesia unless Jakarta stops supporting
the paramilitary groups and ceases its own attacks on civilians. The ban
would remain in effect until Indonesia has assisted in the successful
disbanding of its paramilitaries and has substantially reduced its own
troop presence in East Timor.
The Senate measure passed as UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan announced he
was delaying the East Timor vote by several weeks. He cited ongoing
security concerns for the delay.
On December 7, 1975, the Indonesian military brutally invaded East Timor.
The following July, East Timor was illegally "integrated" into Indonesia as
its "27th province." The UN and most of the world's countries do not
recognize this, and the East Timorese reject it. According to human rights
groups and the Catholic Church more than 200,000 people -- one-third of the
pre-invasion population � have been killed by the Indonesian occupation
forces.
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Amendment No. ___________ Calendar No.___________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES � 106th Congress, 1st Session
Intended to be proposed by Mr. Leahy (for himself, Mr. Feingold, Mr. Reed,
Mr. Harkin, Mr. McConnell, Mr. Moynihan, Mr. Kohl, Mr. Chafee, Mr. Kennedy,
Mr. Jeffords, Mr. Kerry, Mrs. Feinstein, Mrs. Murray, Mr. Schumer, Mrs.
Boxer, Mr. Durbin, and Mr. Wellstone.
Viz:
At the appropriate place in the bill, insert the following:
Self-determination for East Timor
Sec.____. (a) Findings.--The Congress finds as follows:
(1) On May 5, 1999 the Governments of Indonesia and Portugal signed an
agreement that provides for an August 8, 1999 ballot organized by the
United Nations on East Timor's political status;
(2) On January 27, 1999, President Habibie expressed a willingness to
consider independence for East Timor if a majority of the East Timorese
reject autonomy in the August 8th ballot;
(3) Under the May 5th agreement the Government of Indonesia is responsible
for ensuring that the August 8th ballot is carried out in a fair and
peaceful way in an atmosphere free of intimidation, violence or interference;
(4) The inclusion of anti-independence militia members in Indonesian
forces responsible for establishing security in East Timor violates the May
5th agreement which states that the absolute neutrality of the military and
police is essential for holding a free and fair ballot;
(5) The arming of anti-independence militias by members of the Indonesian
military for the purpose of sabotaging the August 8th ballot has resulted in
hundreds of civilians killed, injured or disappeared in separate attacks by
these militias who continue to act without restraint;
(6) The United Nations Secretary General has received credible reports of
political violence, including intimidation and killings, by armed
anti-independence militias against unarmed pro-independence civilians;
(7) There have been killings of opponents of independence, including
civilians and militia members;
(8) The killings in East Timor should be fully investigated and the
individuals responsible brought to justice;
(9) Access to East Timor by international human rights monitors and
humanitarian organizations is limited, and members of the press have been
threatened;
(10) The presence of members of the United Nations Assistance Mission in
East Timor has already resulted in an improved security environment in the
East Timorese capital of Dili;
(11) A robust international observer mission and police force throughout
East Timor is critical to creating a stable and secure environment
necessary for a free and fair ballot;
(12) The Administration should be commended for its support for the United
Nations Assistance Mission in East Timor which will provide monitoring and
support for the ballot and include international civilian police, military
liaison officers and election monitors;
(b) Policy.--(1) The President, Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense,
and the Secretary of the Treasury (acting through the United States
executive directors to international financial institutions) should
immediately intensify their efforts to prevail upon the Indonesian
Government and military to --
(A) disarm and disband anti-independence militias;
(B) grant full access to East Timor by international human rights
monitors, humanitarian organizations, and the press;
(C) allow Timorese who have been living in exile to return to East Timor
to participate in the ballot; and
(2) the President should submit a report to the Congress not later than 21
days after passage of this Act, containing a description of the
Administration's efforts and his assessment of steps taken by the
Indonesian Government and military to ensure a stable and secure
environment in East Timor, including those steps described in paragraph (1).
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