[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 85 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







106th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 85

   Supporting the efforts of the people of Indonesia in achieving a 
        transition to genuine democracy, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             April 26, 1999

   Mr. Torricelli (for himself, Mr. Thomas, Mr. Reed, Mr. Helms, Mr. 
   Wellstone, Mr. Coverdell, and Mr. Kerry) submitted the following 
  resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
   Supporting the efforts of the people of Indonesia in achieving a 
        transition to genuine democracy, and for other purposes.

Whereas Indonesia is the world's fourth most populous country, has the world's 
        largest Muslim population, and has developed friendly relations with the 
        United States;
Whereas a stable and democratic Indonesia is important to overall security in 
        Southeast Asia;
Whereas President Suharto resigned on May 21, 1998, in accordance with 
        Indonesia's constitutional processes;
Whereas incidents of ethnic and religious violence have become more prevalent in 
        the months following President Suharto's resignation and threaten to 
        undermine Indonesia's delicate political balance;
Whereas President Habibie has indicated his willingness to consider granting 
        independence to East Timor, if the people of East Timor reject a plan 
        for greater autonomy within Indonesia;
Whereas Indonesia is pursuing a transition to genuine democracy, establishing a 
        new governmental structure, and developing a new political order;
Whereas President Habibie signed several bills governing elections, political 
        parties, and the structure of legislative bodies into law on February 1, 
        1999; and
Whereas free, fair, and transparent elections to the House of Representatives of 
        Indonesia (DPR), now scheduled for June 7, 1999, will help the people of 
        Indonesia continue their democratic transition: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) supports the Indonesian people in their efforts to 
        carry out the provisions of the new election laws and hold 
        democratic elections as scheduled;
            (2) calls upon the Government of Indonesia to take all 
        steps necessary to ensure that the elections scheduled for June 
        7, 1999, are free, fair, and transparent;
            (3) urges all political, military, and ethnic leaders to 
        refrain from all violence and work toward a peaceful political 
        campaign period;
            (4) calls upon all Indonesian leaders, political party 
        members, military personnel, and the general public to respect 
        and uphold the results of all elections held in a free and fair 
        manner;
            (5) urges all candidates for political office to address 
        the ethnic and religious tensions in Indonesia that have 
        surfaced since President Suharto's resignation and incorporate 
        possible solutions into their election platforms; and
            (6) calls upon the Government of Indonesia and all 
        prospective officeholders to work with the people of East Timor 
        to achieve an equitable and realistic solution to the question 
        of East Timor's future political status.
                                 <all>