[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 32 Introduced in House (IH)]







106th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 32

 Expressing support for, and calling for actions in support of, free, 
             fair, and transparent elections in Indonesia.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            February 2, 1999

   Mr. Bereuter (for himself, Mr. Kolbe, Mr. Moran of Virginia, Mr. 
Blumenauer, Mrs. Morella, Mr. Weller, and Mr. Kuykendall) submitted the 
     following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 
                        International Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Expressing support for, and calling for actions in support of, free, 
             fair, and transparent elections in Indonesia.

Whereas Indonesia is the world's fourth most populous country, has the world's 
        largest Muslim population, and has repeatedly demonstrated itself to be 
        a good friend of the United States;
Whereas a stable and democratic Indonesia can continue to play an important 
        leadership role in the security and stability of Southeast Asia;
Whereas Indonesian national elections in 1955 were judged to be free and fair, 
        but more recent elections have been far more problematic;
Whereas in response to overwhelming public demand, long-time leader (32 years) 
        Soeharto resigned on May 21, 1998;
Whereas elections for the House of Representatives of Indonesia (DPR) have been 
        scheduled for June 7, 1999;
Whereas it is in the interests of all Indonesians and friends of Indonesia that 
        the June 1999 elections be free, fair, and transparent;
Whereas the Government of Indonesia has welcomed international interest and 
        technical support for the elections, under the coordination of the 
        United Nations Development Program;
Whereas United States and international nongovernmental organizations such as 
        the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI), the 
        Asia Foundation, the International Republican Institute (IRI), the 
        International Foundation for Election Systems (IFES), and the American 
        Center for International Labor Solidarity (ACILS) are providing election 
        assistance throughout Indonesia; and
Whereas the active participation in election monitoring by the international 
        community, including the United States Congress, would contribute 
        meaningfully to the Indonesian election: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) supports the aspirations of the Indonesian people for 
        democratic elections;
            (2) urges the Government of Indonesia to take all steps, 
        including the provision of adequate financial and 
        administrative resources, to ensure that the parliamentary 
        elections scheduled for June 7, 1999, are free, fair, and 
        transparent, according to internationally recognized standards, 
        and that an institutional capacity is put in place for free and 
        fair elections in the future;
            (3) calls upon the Government of Indonesia to enact 
        election laws that ensure that the will of the people is 
        respected, both in the parliamentary elections scheduled for 
        June 7 and in the general session of the People's Consultative 
        Assembly (MPR) that will elect a new President and Vice 
        President later in 1999;
            (4) appeals to all political leaders and responsible 
        persons to strive to ensure that the campaign period remains 
        peaceful;
            (5) calls upon all Indonesian political parties, the armed 
        forces, and the pubic at large to respect the results of free 
        and fair elections;
            (6) recognizes with approval the activities of domestic and 
        international nongovernmental organizations in the areas of 
        voter education, technical assistance, and election monitoring;
            (7) acknowledges the important financial support provided 
        by the United States Agency for International Development for 
        the elections;
            (8) calls upon other countries to provide financial support 
        for the elections as well; and
            (9) urges the Speaker and minority leader of the House of 
        Representatives to designate congressional observers for the 
        June 7, 1999, election.
                                 <all>