[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 60 (Wednesday, May 13, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H3233]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         END U.S. SUPPORT FOR SUHARTO DICTATORSHIP IN INDONESIA

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Vermont (Mr. Sanders) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. SANDERS. Mr. Speaker, the time is now to end U.S. support for the 
Suharto dictatorship in Indonesia. I will be sending a letter to the 
President tomorrow with a number of signatures from my colleagues to 
urge him to help us do that.
  History has taught us that it is not in the best interest of this 
country or for the people of affected countries that the United States 
back corrupt, authoritarian regimes whose leaders are opposed by the 
vast majority of their people.
  It was wrong for us to have supported the Mobuto government in Zaire, 
the Saddam Hussein government in Iraq, the Noriega government in 
Panama, and many other dictatorships that we have backed over the 
years. It is wrong for us to support the Suharto government today.
  As a result of our support for these corrupt and detested 
governments, our credibility in the world community suffers and our 
commitment to freedom and human rights is rightfully challenged.
  As you know, Mr. Speaker, General Suharto is currently in his seventh 
5-year term at the helm of the Government in Indonesia, which, 
according to the most recent U.S. State Department report on human 
rights, ``remains strongly authoritarian.'' That is from the U.S. State 
Department.
  This same report states that in 1997 the Suharto government 
``continued to commit serious human rights abuses'' and ``demonstrated 
that it would not tolerate challenges to the fundamental elements of 
the political system by arresting and placing on trial some of its 
critics.''
  The State Department report documents Suharto's failure to allow free 
and fair elections in Indonesia in the most recent elections, just as 
he has done in the previous five held since 1971.
  Today, the leader of the free trade union movement in Indonesia, 
Muchtar Pahpahan, remains in jail because of his radical belief that 
workers in this country have the right of freedom of association.
  Further, General Suharto is widely acknowledged to be a dictator with 
an enormous amount of blood on his hands. In 1965, when he toppled 
General Sukarno as leader of Indonesia, it is estimated that some half 
million Indonesians were killed. Half a million, one of the great 
slaughters in modern history.
  In East Timor, it is believed General Suharto's decisions have led to 
the deaths of 200,000 people or one-third, one-third of East Timor's 
population. Just yesterday, six unarmed students were shot down in cold 
blood by the Suharto military for protesting against the dictatorship. 
Recent testimony before Congress shows that Suharto's government is 
currently disappearing and torturing hundreds of its opponents.
  General Suharto is known, not only for his brutality, but for his 
corruption and his greed. He is the sixth wealthiest person in the 
world, and it is estimated that his family is worth between $30 billion 
and $40 billion. This wealth has been accumulated in a country where 
the average income is less than $20 a week and where child labor is 
widespread.
  The Suharto family owns much of Indonesia's wealth, and they have 
strong control over the economy there. It is widely acknowledged the 
Suharto family makes huge sums of money by running cartels and 
receiving bribes and kickbacks in perhaps the outstanding international 
example of crony capitalism.
  Every day, more and more Indonesians are showing extraordinary 
courage and are putting their lives on the line by standing up to the 
Suharto dictatorship. Not only have tens of thousands of Indonesian 
students taken to the streets, but even retired generals and former 
cabinet ministers are now calling for General Suharto's ouster. Mr. 
Amien Rais, a prominent Muslim leader, recently said, ``I urge the 
government of President Suharto to step down, as the people demand.'' 
If the brave people of Indonesia are prepared to risk their lives to 
demand that General Suharto step aside, how can we ignore their cries 
for freedom?
  It is important that we act soon. If General Suharto understands that 
we no longer support him, and international support for his regime is 
fading, it is far more likely that he will give up power soon, avoiding 
unnecessary bloodshed. In other words, the sooner that the United 
States tells Suharto that we will not support him, the more likely it 
is that he will perhaps flee his country and prevent the widespread 
bloodshed that might otherwise happen.
  In my view, the President must utilize all diplomatic tools available 
to expedite the replacement of the Suharto dictatorship with a 
democratically elected government. Such steps should include but not be 
limited to immediate contact by Secretary of Defense Cohen with the 
Indonesian military, urging them not to use their guns against their 
own people.
  The immediate freeze on all US weapons, spare parts and ammunition 
sales to Indonesia, including the financing of dual-use technologies 
through the Export-Import Bank.
  In conjunction with the United Nations, dispatch an emergency relief 
group composed of non-governmental representatives, including human 
rights and famine-relief groups, to monitor the military and provide 
relief to famine stricken areas of East Timor and Indonesia.
  Suspend further IMF loans to Indonesia until fundamental human rights 
are established under a new government.
  Mr. Speaker, you have the opportunity to send a message to the 
Indonesian people and the entire world that the United States will not 
support dictators who deny their people basic human rights. The time to 
act is now.




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