[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 252 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







110th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 252

 Recognizing the increasingly mutually beneficial relationship between 
      the United States of America and the Republic of Indonesia.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             June 22, 2007

     Mr. Bond (for himself and Mr. Inouye) submitted the following 
  resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Recognizing the increasingly mutually beneficial relationship between 
      the United States of America and the Republic of Indonesia.

Whereas the historical ties between the United States and the Indonesia go back 
        to the period of Indonesian struggle for independence and the early 
        years of its independence in 1945;
Whereas the constitutionally required ``free and active'' foreign policy of 
        Indonesia has largely resulted in a close relationship with the United 
        States, and this relationship reflects the growing connections between 
        the developed and the developing world;
Whereas, following the effects of the Asian financial crisis in 1998, Indonesia 
        has instituted numerous democratic reforms, including--

    (1) amending the country's constitution in order to be more democratic 
and transparent;

    (2) holding the country's first ever direct presidential election in 
2004 and direct, nationwide local elections starting in 2006; and

    (3) giving the judicial branch independent administrative and financial 
responsibility for all courts in 2004;

Whereas the government of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, the first directly 
        elected President of Indonesia, is strongly committed to strengthening 
        the country's democracy and remains focused on developing good 
        governance and promoting and protecting human rights, civil liberties, a 
        free press, and a vibrant civil society;
Whereas the Government of Indonesia continues to reform its military in 
        accordance with internationally accepted democratic principles;
Whereas Indonesia signed a peace agreement in August 2005 ending the conflict in 
        Aceh, met its obligations under the agreement, oversaw the return of 
        normalcy to Aceh, and held free, transparent, and peaceful elections for 
        local government leaders in December 2006;
Whereas the Government of Indonesia has worked and continues to work toward 
        peaceful solutions to other internal conflicts, including Papua, with 
        concern for the welfare and security of the entire population;
Whereas, in parallel with the recovery of Indonesia's economic and political 
        stability following the 1998 Asian financial crisis, the country has 
        regained its pivotal role in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations 
        (ASEAN) and continues to work toward a secure, peaceful, and vibrant 
        Southeast Asia, particularly by proposing successfully the ASEAN 
        Security Community, the ASEAN Economic Community, and the ASEAN Socio-
        cultural Community;
Whereas the Government and people of Indonesia have endured several terrorist 
        bombings, have shown resilience in the fight against international 
        terrorism by apprehending and bringing to justice numerous perpetrators, 
        and remain open to international cooperation in this area;
Whereas the Government of Indonesia, together with the Governments of Malaysia 
        and Singapore as fellow littoral states and user-countries, has 
        maintained and is further strengthening efforts to secure the important 
        international shipping lane in the Malacca Strait;
Whereas, as shown in international fora, the Government of Indonesia remains 
        committed to addressing the problems related to the control of the 
        spread of weapons of mass destruction;
Whereas the Government of Indonesia has deployed a military battalion to support 
        the United Nations Interim Force In Lebanon (UNIFIL) peacekeeping 
        operations, and as the world's largest Muslim democracy, has made 
        important contributions to the facilitation of various dialogues among 
        Islamic factions in the Middle East; and
Whereas, though the Government of Indonesia has shown significant progress in 
        the areas of democracy, good governance, human rights, and counter 
        terrorism, there remains much to be done and many reforms yet to be 
        implemented: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) recognizes the progress made by the Government of 
        Indonesia in its efforts to promote democracy;
            (2) expresses ongoing support for further democratic reform 
        in Indonesia and the efforts of the Government and the people 
        of Indonesia toward developing good governance;
            (3) encourages the Government and the People of Indonesia 
        to continue working to ensure the promotion and protection of 
        human rights, civil liberties, a free press, and a strong civil 
        society in Indonesia; and
            (4) encourages the President, the Secretary of State, and 
        other officials of the United States Government to continue 
        assisting the Government of Indonesia in its efforts to promote 
        democracy and ensure the liberty and welfare of the people of 
        Indonesia.
                                 <all>