[Congressional Bills 107th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 675 Introduced in House (IH)]
107th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 675
To provide assistance to East Timor to facilitate the transition of
East Timor to an independent nation, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
February 14, 2001
Mr. Lantos (for himself, Mr. Kennedy of Rhode Island, Mr. Smith of New
Jersey, Mr. Kirk, Mr. McGovern, Mrs. Lowey, Mr. Capuano, Mr. Berman,
Mr. Ackerman, Mr. Weiner, Mr. Faleomavaega, Mr. Crowley, Ms. Pelosi,
Mr. Oberstar, Mr. Kucinich, Mr. McDermott, Mr. Hall of Ohio, Mr.
Kildee, Mr. Hinchey, Ms. McCollum, Mr. Langevin, Mr. Hoeffel, Mr.
Frank, Mr. Wu, Mr. Brown of Ohio, Mr. McNulty, Mr. Delahunt, and Mr.
Hastings of Florida) introduced the following bill; which was referred
to the Committee on International Relations, and in addition to the
Committees on Financial Services, and Ways and Means, for a period to
be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for
consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the
committee concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To provide assistance to East Timor to facilitate the transition of
East Timor to an independent nation, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``East Timor Transition to
Independence Act of 2001''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress makes the following findings:
(1) On August 30, 1999, the East Timorese people voted
overwhelmingly in favor of independence from Indonesia. Anti-
independence militias, with the support of the Indonesian
military, attempted to prevent then retaliated against this
vote by launching a campaign of terror and violence, displacing
500,000 people and murdering at least 1,000 people.
(2) The violent campaign devastated East Timor's
infrastructure, destroyed or severely damaged 60 to 80 percent
of public and private property, and resulted in the collapse of
virtually all vestiges of government, public services and
public security.
(3) The Australian-led International Force for East Timor
(INTERFET) entered East Timor in September 1999 and
successfully restored order. On October 25, 1999, the United
Nations Transitional Administration for East Timor (UNTAET)
began to provide overall administration of East Timor, guide
the people of East Timor in the establishment of a new
democratic government, and maintain security and order.
(4) UNTAET and the East Timorese leadership currently
anticipate that East Timor will become an independent nation as
early as late 2001.
(5) East Timor is one of the poorest places in Asia. A
large percentage of the population live below the poverty line,
only 20 percent of East Timor's population is literate, most of
East Timor's people remain unemployed, the annual per capita
Gross National Product is $340, and life expectancy is only 56
years.
(6) The World Bank and the United Nations have estimated
that it will require $300,000,000 in development assistance
over the next three years to meet East Timor's basic
development needs.
SEC. 3. SENSE OF CONGRESS RELATING TO SUPPORT FOR EAST TIMOR.
It is the sense of Congress that the United States should--
(1) facilitate East Timor's transition to independence,
support formation of broad-based democracy in East Timor, help
lay the groundwork for East Timor's economic recovery, and
strengthen East Timor's security;
(2) help ensure that the nature and pace of the economic
transition in East Timor is consistent with the needs and
priorities of the East Timorese people, that East Timor
develops a strong and independent economic infrastructure, and
that the incomes of the East Timorese people rise accordingly;
(3) begin to lay the groundwork, prior to East Timor's
independence, for an equitable bilateral trade and investment
relationship;
(4)(A) officially open a diplomatic mission to East Timor
as soon as possible;
(B) recognize East Timor, and establish diplomatic
relations with East Timor, upon its independence; and
(C) ensure that a fully functioning, fully staffed,
adequately resourced, and securely maintained United States
diplomatic mission is accredited to East Timor upon its
independence;
(5) support efforts by the United Nations and East Timor to
ensure justice and accountability related to past atrocities in
East Timor through--
(A) United Nations investigations;
(B) development of East Timor's judicial system,
including appropriate technical assistance to East
Timor from the Department of Justice, the Federal
Bureau of Investigation, and the Drug Enforcement
Administration;
(C) the possible establishment of an international
tribunal for East Timor; and
(D) sharing with the United Nations Transitional
Administration for East Timor (UNTAET) and East
Timorese investigators any unclassified information
relevant to past atrocities in East Timor gathered by
the United States Government; and
(6)(A) as an interim step, support observer status for an
official delegation from East Timor to observe and participate,
as appropriate, in all deliberations of the Asia-Pacific
Economic Cooperation (APEC) group, the Association of Southeast
Asian Nations (ASEAN), and other international institutions;
and
(B) after East Timor achieves independence, support full
membership for East Timor in these and other international
institutions, as appropriate.
SEC. 4. BILATERAL ASSISTANCE.
(a) Authority.--The President, acting through the Administrator of
the United States Agency for International Development, is authorized
to--
(1) support the development of civil society, including
nongovernmental organizations in East Timor;
(2) promote the development of an independent news media;
(3) support job creation, including support for small
business and microenterprise programs, environmental
protection, sustainable development, development of East
Timor's health care infrastructure, educational programs, and
programs strengthening the role of women in society;
(4) promote reconciliation, conflict resolution, and
prevention of further conflict with respect to East Timor,
including establishing accountability for past gross human
rights violations;
(5) support the voluntary and safe repatriation and
reintegration of refugees into East Timor; and
(6) support political party development, voter education,
voter registration, and other activities in support of free and
fair elections in East Timor.
(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--
(1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated to
the President to carry out this section $30,000,000 for each of
the fiscal years 2002, 2003, and 2004.
(2) Availability.--Amounts appropriated pursuant to the
authorization of appropriations under paragraph (1) are
authorized to remain available until expended.
SEC. 5. MULTILATERAL ASSISTANCE.
The Secretary of the Treasury shall instruct the United States
executive director at each international financial institution to which
the United States is a member to use the voice, vote, and influence of
the United States to support economic and democratic development in
East Timor.
SEC. 6. PEACE CORPS ASSISTANCE.
(a) Authority.--The Director of the Peace Corps is authorized to--
(1) provide English language and other technical training
for individuals in East Timor as well as other activities which
promote education, economic development, and economic self-
sufficiency; and
(2) quickly address immediate assistance needs in East
Timor using the Peace Corps Crisis Corps, to the extent
practicable.
(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--
(1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated to
the Peace Corps to carry out this section $2,000,000 for each
of the fiscal years 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2004.
(2) Availability.--Amounts appropriated pursuant to the
authorization of appropriations under paragraph (1) are
authorized to remain available until expended.
SEC. 7. TRADE AND INVESTMENT ASSISTANCE.
(a) OPIC.--Beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, the
President should initiate negotiations with the United Nations
Transitional Administration for East Timor (UNTAET), the National
Council of East Timor, and the government of East Timor (after
independence for East Timor)--
(1) to apply to East Timor the existing agreement between
the Overseas Private Investment Corporation and Indonesia; or
(2) to enter into a new agreement authorizing the Overseas
Private Investment Corporation to carry out programs with
respect to East Timor,
in order to expand United States investment in East Timor, emphasizing
partnerships with local East Timorese enterprises.
(b) Trade and Development Agency.--
(1) In general.--The Director of the Trade and Development
Agency is authorized to carry out projects in East Timor under
section 661 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C.
2421).
(2) Authorization of appropriations.--
(A) In general.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the Trade and Development Agency to
carry out this subsection $1,000,000 for each of the
fiscal years 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2004.
(B) Availability.--Amounts appropriated pursuant to
the authorization of appropriations under subparagraph
(A) are authorized to remain available until expended.
(c) Export-Import Bank.--The Export-Import Bank of the United
States shall expand its activities in connection with exports to East
Timor.
SEC. 8. GENERALIZED SYSTEM OF PREFERENCES.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that the
President should encourage the United Nations Transitional
Administration for East Timor (UNTAET), in close consultation with the
National Council of East Timor, to seek to become eligible for duty-
free treatment under title V of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2461
et seq.; relating to generalized system of preferences).
(b) Technical Assistance.--The United States Trade Representative
and the Commissioner of the United States Customs Service are
authorized to provide technical assistance to UNTAET, the National
Council of East Timor, and the government of East Timor (after
independence for East Timor) in order to assist East Timor to become
eligible for duty-free treatment under title V of the Trade Act of
1974.
SEC. 9. BILATERAL INVESTMENT TREATY.
It is the sense of Congress that the President should seek to enter
into a bilateral investment treaty with the United Nations Transitional
Administration for East Timor (UNTAET), in close consultation with the
National Council of East Timor, in order to establish a more stable
legal framework for United States investment in East Timor.
SEC. 10. SCHOLARSHIPS FOR EAST TIMORESE STUDENTS.
(a) Authority.--The Secretary of State--
(1) is authorized to carry out an East Timorese scholarship
program under the authorities of the United States Information
and Educational Exchange Act of 1948, the Mutual Educational
and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, Reorganization Plan Number 2
of 1977, and the National Endowment for Democracy Act; and
(2) shall make every effort to identify and provide
scholarships and other support to East Timorese students
interested in pursuing undergraduate and graduate studies at
institutions of higher education in the United States.
(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the Department of State, $1,000,000 for the fiscal year
2002 and $1,000,000 for the fiscal year 2003 to carry out subsection
(a).
SEC. 11. PLAN FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF DIPLOMATIC FACILITIES IN EAST TIMOR.
(a) Development of Detailed Plan.--The Secretary of State shall
develop a detailed plan for the official establishment of a United
States diplomatic mission to East Timor, with a view to--
(1) officially open a fully functioning, fully staffed,
adequately resourced, and securely maintained diplomatic
mission in East Timor as soon as possible;
(2) recognize East Timor, and establish diplomatic
relations with East Timor, upon its independence; and
(3) ensure that a fully functioning, fully staffed,
adequately resourced, and securely maintained diplomatic
mission is accredited to East Timor upon its independence.
(b) Reports.--
(1) Initial report.--Not later than three months after the
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall
submit to the Committee on International Relations of the House
of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations of
the Senate a report that contains the detailed plan described
in subsection (a), including a timetable for the official
opening of a facility in Dili, East Timor, the personnel
requirements for the mission, the estimated costs for
establishing the facility, and its security requirements.
(2) Subsequent reports.--Beginning six months after the
submission of the initial report under paragraph (1), and every
six months thereafter until January 1, 2004, the Secretary of
State shall submit to the committees specified in that
paragraph a report on the status of the implementation of the
detailed plan described in subsection (a), including any
revisions to the plan (including its timetable, costs, or
requirements) that have been made during the period covered by
the report.
(3) Form of report.--Each report submitted under this
subsection shall be in unclassified form, with a classified
annex as necessary.
SEC. 12. SECURITY ASSISTANCE FOR EAST TIMOR.
(a) Authorization.--Beginning on the date on which the President
transmits to the Congress a certification described in subsection (b),
the President is authorized--
(1) to transfer excess defense articles under section 516
of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2321j) to East
Timor in accordance with such section; and
(2) to provide military education and training under
chapter 5 of part II of such Act (22 U.S.C. 2347 et seq.) for
the armed forces of East Timor in accordance with such chapter.
(b) Certification.--A certification described in this subsection is
a certification that--
(1) East Timor has established an independent armed forces;
and
(2) the assistance proposed to be provided pursuant to
subsection (a)--
(A) is in the national security interests of the
United States; and
(B) will promote both human rights in East Timor
and the professionalization of the armed forces of East
Timor.
(c) Study and Report.--
(1) Study.--The President shall conduct a study to
determine--
(A) the extent to which East Timor's security needs
can be met by the transfer of excess defense articles
under section 516 of the Foreign Assistance Act of
1961;
(B) the extent to which international military
education and training (IMET) assistance will enhance
professionalism of the armed forces of East Timor,
provide training in human rights, and promote respect
for human rights and humanitarian law; and
(C) the terms and conditions under which such
defense articles or training, as appropriate, should be
provided.
(2) Report.--Not later than 1 month after the date of
enactment of this Act, the President shall submit a report to
the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on
Appropriations of the Senate and the Committee on International
Relations and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives setting forth the findings of the study
conducted under paragraph (1).
SEC. 13. AUTHORITY FOR RADIO BROADCASTING.
The Broadcasting Board of Governors shall further the communication
of information and ideas through the increased use of audio
broadcasting to East Timor to ensure that radio broadcasting to that
country serves as a consistently reliable and authoritative source of
accurate, objective, and comprehensive news.
SEC. 14. REPORTING REQUIREMENT.
(a) In General.--Not later than three months after the date of the
enactment of this Act, and every six months thereafter until January 1,
2004, the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Administrator of
the United States Agency for International Development, the Secretary
of the Treasury, the United States Trade Representative, the Secretary
of Commerce, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, the Director
of the Trade and Development Agency, the President of the Export-Import
Bank of the United States, the Secretary of Agriculture, and the
Director of the Peace Corps, shall prepare and transmit to the
Committee on International Relations of the House of Representatives
and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate a report that
contains the information described in subsection (b).
(b) Information.--The report required by subsection (a) shall
include--
(1) developments in East Timor's political and economic
situation in the period covered by the report, including an
evaluation of any elections occurring in East Timor and the
refugee reintegration process in East Timor;
(2)(A) in the initial report, a 3-year plan for United
States foreign assistance to East Timor in accordance with
section 4, prepared by the Administrator of the United States
Agency for International Development, which outlines the goals
for United States foreign assistance to East Timor during the
3-year period; and
(B) in each subsequent report, a description in detail of
the expenditure of United States bilateral foreign assistance
during the period covered by each such report;
(3) a description of the activities undertaken in East
Timor by the International Bank for Reconstruction and
Development, the Asian Development Bank, and other
international financial institutions, and an evaluation of the
effectiveness of these activities;
(4) an assessment of--
(A) the status of United States trade and
investment relations with East Timor, including a
detailed analysis of any trade and investment-related
activity supported by the Overseas Private Investment
Corporation, the Export-Import Bank of the United
States, and the Trade and Development Agency during the
period of time since the previous report; and
(B) the status of any negotiations with the United
Nations Transitional Administration for East Timor
(UNTAET) or East Timor to facilitate the operation of
the United States trade agencies in East Timor;
(5) the nature and extent of United States-East Timor
cultural, education, scientific, and academic exchanges, both
official and unofficial, and any Peace Corps activities;
(6) a comprehensive study and report on local agriculture
in East Timor, emerging opportunities for producing,
processing, and exporting indigenous agricultural products, and
recommendations for appropriate technical assistance from the
United States; and
(7) statistical data drawn from other sources on economic
growth, health, education, and distribution of resources in
East Timor.
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