[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 167 (Thursday, October 26, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S15975-S15976]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    WORLD POPULATION AWARENESS WEEK

 Mr. CHAFEE. Mr. President, I rise today in strong support of 
World Population Awareness Week, which is being observed 
internationally this week. We are all aware of the challenges we will 
face in the next century regarding the world's population. According to 
recent projections by the United Nations, world population is expected 
to increase by close to 100 million people annually through the year 
2015. Within 20 years, the Earth's population will have sharply 
increased to total 7.7 billion people. Nearly all of this increase will 
be in the poorest countries in the world, causing overall increases in 
poverty, illiteracy, environmental problems, hunger, and 
malnourishment, and a significant strain on the world's natural 
resources. If area populations continue their rapid growth, the 
resulting outcome could have a devastating effect on the United States, 
the world economy, and our planet.
  To avoid massive catastrophes, we must begin to reduce run-away 
population growth through voluntary, rational, humane means. This is 
the message of World Population Awareness Week, recognized 
internationally from October 22-29, 1995. I am proud to say that Rhode 
Island's Governor Lincoln Almond is one of several State Governors to 
proclaim World Population Awareness Week. In doing so, he asked all 
Rhode Islanders to join him in ``supporting the Cairo Program of 
Action,'' a 20-year strategy for stabilizing world population. He also 
called on ``all government and private organizations to do their part 
to implement the document.'' I support Governor Almond's proclamation 
and request that his proclamation be printed in the Record.
  The 1994 International Conference on Population and Development in 
Cairo, Egypt was the first important step in the worldwide effort to 
arrest the huge growth in the world's population. All Americans should 
be proud of the integral role our delegation played in developing a set 
of recommendations to curb population growth. We must continue to 
promote international efforts to inform people about the consequences 
of dramatic population growth, and I respectfully urge my colleagues to 
join me in supporting World Population Awareness Week.
  The proclamation follows:

        The Governor of the State of Rhode Island--Proclamation

       Whereas, world population is currently 5.7 billion, and 
     increasing by nearly 100 million per year, with virtually all 
     of this growth added to the poorest countries and regions; 
     and
       Whereas, the annual increment to world population is 
     projected to exceed 86 million through the year 2015, with 
     three billion people, the equivalent of the entire world 
     population as recently as 1960, reaching their reproductive 
     years within the next generation; and
       Whereas, the environmental and economic impacts of this 
     level of growth will almost certainly prevent inhabitants of 
     poorer countries from improving their quality of life, and at 
     the same time, affect the standard of living in more affluent 
     regions; and
       Whereas, the 1994 International Conference on Population 
     and Development in Cairo, Egypt, crafted a 20-year Program of 
     Action for achieving a more equitable balance between the 
     world's population, environment, and resources, approved by 
     180 nations, including the United States:
       Now, therefore, I, Lincoln Almond, Governor of the State of 
     Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, do hereby proclaim, 
     October 22-29, 1995 as World Population Awareness Week. In 
     the State of Rhode Island and call on all citizens to join 
     with me in recognizing this important week and supporting the 
     Cairo Program of Action and call on all governments and 
     private organizations to do their part to implement the 
     document.

    TRIBUTE TO THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SAINT FRANCIS ACADEMY

 Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to The 
Saint Francis Academy in honor of their 50th anniversary. For 50 years 
now, this outstanding institution has provided guidance and direction 
to troubled youths and their families through 40 different 
rehabilitation and therapeutic programs across the United States.
  With offices in Kansas, Mississippi, New York, Massachusetts, Ohio, 
Pennsylvania, and New Mexico, the Saint Francis Academy helps hundreds 
of children and teenagers develop into responsible and successful 
adults. Even more impressive is the fact that the Saint Francis Academy 
program has achieved a scientifically documented success rate of over 
70 percent for youth completing residential treatment. This is among 
the highest success rate in the United States for an organization of 
this kind.
  Founded in 1945 by Father Bob, the academy was originally called the 
St. Francis Boys' Home. The first residential facility was opened in 
Ellsworth, KS with the philosophy of therapy in Christ. Within 3 years, 
another treatment center in Salina, KS opened and began serving conduct 
disordered youths age 12 through 18. The Saint Francis Academy has 
grown progressively within the last 50 years with new programs being 
developed almost every year. In 1990, the academy began an intense 10-
day therapeutic wilderness program at Lake Placid called the Adirondack 
Experience.
  In 1945 when Father Bob opened the first facility in Ellsworth, 
youngsters stayed in the program for an average of 2 to 3 years. Now 
the average length of time is only 6 to 8 months. The Saint Francis 
Academy currently helps 150 young men and women achieve success and 
find personal strength in the spiritual aspect of the programs. They 
are affiliated with the Episcopal Church.
  The Saint Francis Academy staff follow up with the young men and 
women who graduate from the program three times over a period of 5 
years. This is probably one of the most fundamental reasons the academy 
is so proud of their high success rate. In fact, two graduates of the 
Camelot program in Lake Placid, NY have gone on to be doctors and 
lawyers. Father Orville Gatti, a close friend of mine who I greatly 
admire, is the Chaplain and a therapist at the Lake Placid Academy and 
has helped a number of youths.
  I salute the Saint Francis Academy as it celebrates 50 years of 
changing the lives of our Nation's young people.

[[Page S15976]]


                        CLINTON-SOEHARTO MEETING

 Mr. FEINGOLD. Mr. President, as President Clinton prepares for 
his meeting with President Soeharto of Indonesia tomorrow, we are 
hearing a lot about Indonesia's recent economic achievements, and its 
great potential for United States investment. I also salute Indonesia's 
economic success, and believe there are many valuable lessons in 
Indonesia's experience which can be applied to other developing 
countries throughout the world.
  But, Mr. President, today I rise to highlight ongoing concerns about 
Indonesia's continuously dismal record on human rights. Repression, 
occupation, and brutality, such as that practiced by Indonesia, are 
ingredients for instability, and undermine long-term, sustainable 
economic growth. In fact, I would submit that unfortunately, 
Indonesia's potential will go unrealized until its human rights record 
improves.
  Freedom of expression is under attack by the Indonesian Government. 
In the past year, gag orders have been placed on controversial figures, 
prominent journalists have been arrested and sentenced to prison, and 
seminars of nongovernmental organizations have been broken up. In 
addition, the country's only independent trade union, the Prosperous 
Workers Union of Indonesia, is virtually banned, and its members are 
routinely interrogated and harassed. The Indonesian military regularly 
intercedes in peaceful gatherings with impunity. Foreign business and 
professionals cannot function effectively in this kind of environment.
  In Irian Jaya, there are numerous credible reports of torture, 
disappearances, and the killing of 16 indigenous people by Indonesian 
forces in the last year.
  Indonesia's stability also depends upon the military withdrawal from 
the territory of East Timor. For that reason, it is in the interests of 
President Clinton, the international business community, and the donors 
to take an interest and aggressively pursue an effective human rights 
strategy for Indonesia.
  Last year, when Presidents Clinton and Soeharto met in Jakarta, 
President Clinton gave the issue of human rights attention. However, 
since then, there has been an escalation of tensions and violence in 
East Timor.
  For example, reports of arbitrary detentions and incidents of torture 
by Indonesian soldiers have been continuous all year. Forms of 
Indonesian torture are reported to include electric shocks by cattle 
prod; slashings with razor blades and knives; sleep deprivation; and 
hanging people upside down by their feet.
  On January 12 of this year, six civilians in Liquicia were reported 
summarily executed by the Indonesian military. Even the Government-
appointed National Commission on Human Rights found that there was ``a 
process of intimidation and torture by security officials'' which 
resulted in ``unlawful shootings by the military.'' For this, two 
officers were punished not for murder, but for violating an order from 
a superior.
  There has also been an outbreak of gang violence in East Timor. 
Hooded vigilantes, described by residents and human rights monitors as 
military-related bands and commonly known as ``Ninjas,'' have been 
terrorizing, abducting, assaulting, intimidating, and harassing East 
Timorese civilians. Notably, the Ninjas have not been reigned in by the 
same military that has so effectively suppressed the East Timorese 
opposition. There must be an investigation into the operations of these 
groups, and why they are permitted to continue terrorizing the East 
Timorese.
  These recent incidents underscore the need to accelerate the United 
Nations sponsored dialog on East Timor with genuine East Timorese 
participation. The dialog should be the vehicle by which the numerous 
U.N. resolutions be implemented. The dialog should also be aimed at 
demilitarizing the territory, and working toward a just resolution that 
respects the rights of all parties to the conflict.
  While administration rhetoric has been supportive of the East 
Timorese, United States policy has not been forceful enough. For 
example, the administration has not applied much pressure to encourage 
the Indonesians to participate seriously in the U.N. talks. It has 
never devised a strategy, or requested a plan from the Indonesians, for 
troop withdrawal from East Timor. There have been few, if any 
suggestions, of what else the United States can do to leverage human 
rights reform beyond raising the issue.
  In fact, I often get the feeling that the administration is trying to 
placate the same Indonesian military that is guilty of so many 
horrendous abuses. For example, the administration has lobbied 
fervently to get the United States taxpayer to subsidize Indonesian 
military training, when Indonesia has been purchasing IMET courses out 
of its own pocket for the past four years. Now, the administration is 
trying to sell Indonesia F-16 aircraft, despite a ban on the sale of 
small arms which is explicitly linked to human rights violations. 
Furthermore, I am unclear as to what the administration has actually 
expressed to Indonesia as to what is our human rights policy regarding 
linkage to arms sales.
  Tiptoeing around the violence and occupation is not going to work. 
Rather, I believe that publicity and international condemnation would 
be more effective. As a tiger economy, Jakarta has much invested in its 
image. And its international image should reflect its potential and 
accomplishments. But it should also include Indonesia's brutality and 
disrespect for human rights.
  President Clinton has an opportunity here not only to communicate his 
sincere commitment to human rights, but also to implement a substantive 
plan of action which can improve the lot of the East Timorese, and also 
enhance Indonesia's long-term development prospects. President 
Soeharto, who knows well his own country's battle and victory against 
Dutch colonialism 50 years ago this year, should understand the 
principle of self-determination we are advocating for East 
Timor.

                          ____________________