[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 57 (Monday, April 26, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4192-S4193]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 85--SUPPORTING THE EFFORTS OF THE PEOPLE OF INDONESIA 
             IN ACHIEVING A TRANSITION TO GENUINE DEMOCRACY

  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:

                               S. Res. 85

       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.


[[Page S4193]]


  Mr. TORRICELLI. Mr. President, I rise today together with Senators 
Thomas, Reed, Helms, Wellstone, Coverdell, and Kerry, to submit a 
resolution on Indonesia's upcoming Parliamentary elections. These are 
both exciting and troubling times in Indonesia. The elections scheduled 
for June 7th could be the beginning of a new, democratic Indonesia. At 
the same time, though, we receive almost daily reports of increased 
social unrest and a bleak economic future.
  While inflation and interest rates have fallen, the Indonesian 
economy remains unstable. Recent clashes between Muslims and Christians 
in Ambon remind us that Indonesia's ethnic tensions could overwhelm the 
country at any minute. The status of East Timor is an ongoing issue for 
the people of Indonesia, although President Habibie has vowed to come 
to resolution by the end of the year. Depending upon the outcome of the 
vote on autonomy, the Parliament elected in June could have a direct 
influence on East Timor's future.
  The upcoming June elections are a critical benchmark for Indonesia's 
efforts to pursue democratic reform. A freely elected Parliament will 
further distance Indonesia from its past and help instill a democratic 
culture. If these elections are proven to be free, fair and 
transparent, Indonesia will be well on its way to having a government 
with popular legitimacy.
  I applaud the Administration's efforts to ensure that the elections 
on June 7th are open and transparent. U.S. support for a fair election 
process will send a strong message to the participants. The pledge of 
$30 million to help Indonesia realize its goal of free and fair 
elections demonstrates an understanding of how important June 7th is, 
not only in Indonesia, but in Southeast Asia as a whole. While 
Indonesia's new election laws provide for monitors at the national, 
provincial and district levels, we must ensure that monitors are 
properly trained and educated. We must move quickly to maximize the 
interim period before the elections and encourage other nations to 
actively support our efforts to promote a free and fair process.
  Producing transparent and legitimate election results is a 
responsibility that cannot be overlooked. However, we must look forward 
at the same time. The economic and social problems Indonesia is 
currently facing will be with the country past the election, and they 
need continued attention from this Congress and the Administration. The 
country's future will be uncertain if the pressing issues of today are 
ignored.
  For this reason, I have introduced a resolution that supports 
Indonesia's efforts to hold free and fair elections. It calls upon all 
political, military and ethnic leaders to refrain from violence and 
work toward a peaceful campaign period. In addition, it urges all 
candidates to address some of these social problems and incorporate 
possible solutions into their election platforms. This Congress can 
have a positive impact on democracy in Indonesia by helping to keep its 
future leaders focused on achieving long term social and economic 
stability.

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