[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 63 (Tuesday, May 4, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4721-S4722]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      UPCOMING ELECTIONS IN INDONESIA AND THE FUTURE OF EAST TIMOR

 Mr. KERRY. Mr. President, there are two issues of critical 
importance to the future of Indonesia, the region, and the 
international community which has interest in securing a stable and 
democratic future for Southeast Asia: the upcoming elections in 
Indonesia and the political status of East Timor. If the June national 
elections in Indonesia are determined to be free, fair and transparent, 
the ballot for East Timor's political future has a much better chance 
of being conducted under the same conditions. The U.S. and the 
international community must make a strong effort now to ensure that 
these conditions are established and upheld.
  For the first time in forty-five years, Indonesians have a chance to 
participate in a free and fair election and to establish a government 
with popular support and legitimacy. For the first time in twenty-four 
years, the Indonesian government is willing to consider an East Timor 
that is independent of Indonesian rule, pending the decision of the 
East Timorese, themselves. Indonesia, indeed, stands at a cross-roads.
  We must be sure that the U.S. and the international community stands 
there with it to guide Indonesia down the correct path. The path that 
leads to democracy and free-market economic growth. Not the one headed 
into chaos and economic downturn. It is clear that the stakes are high.
  Indonesia boasts the fourth largest population, and is a crucial 
player in Asia, where American economic and political interests 
overlap. In 1996, the United States benefitted from some $3 billion in 
exports to Indonesia and American firms had invested over $5.1 billion 
in Indonesia's growing economy. The Asian financial crisis reversed 
this course of economic expansion, crippling Indonesia's economy and 
exposing the inherent weakness in Indonesia's political structure under 
the Suharto regime.
  The resulting disintegration, which I saw first-hand during my trip 
to Indonesia in December, is overwhelming. Indonesia's GNP fell by 
fifteen percent in 1998, and is predicted to experience another decline 
this year. Unemployment stands at over 20 million, up from 8 million 
last May. Forty percent of Indonesia's 218 million people live below 
the poverty line. But, this is not the end of it.
  Economic instability has exacerbated the already prevalent political 
and social tensions. Student protests, attacks on Chinese businessmen, 
conflicts between Ambonese Christians and Muslims, and paramilitary 
violence in East Timor is evident across the country. Separatist forces 
on Aceh, Irian Jaya and other islands in Indonesia's multi-ethnic 
archipelago are gaining sway as Timorese independence moves closer to 
reality. The Indonesian government must take strong and decisive steps 
now to reduce these tensions and build respect for the rule of law and 
human rights. This is necessary and crucial in order to create an 
atmosphere conducive to holding democratic elections and determining, 
peacefully, the future political status of East Timor.
  I must, however, commend the actions that President Habibie has taken 
thus far to open the political process and set the stage for democratic 
elections in June. In February, 1999, he signed legislation that 
established guidelines and procedures for conducting national 
elections. Forty-eight parties are now registered to compete in the 
June election, as opposed to three in the Suharto era. The military's 
representation in the parliament has also been reduced. Seats will be 
allocated by proportional representation, rather than the winner take 
all strategy which favored the Golkar party.
  I am pleased to cosponsor legislation introduced by Senator Robert 
Torricelli which supports these efforts of the Indonesian government to 
achieve a real and peaceful transition to democracy. This bill calls 
upon the government to make necessary preparations to ensure that free, 
fair and transparent national elections will occur in June and that 
there is a strong commitment to uphold the results of them. It also 
asks all parties involved in determining the status of East Timor to 
seek an equitable and workable resolution to this issue. I have 
cosponsored similar legislation in the past which affirmed the right of 
the East Timorese to have a referendum on self-determination, 
encouraged the Indonesian government to protect human rights and 
fundamental freedoms and urged the Indonesian political leaders to 
implement political and economic reforms. I will continue to support 
such efforts in the future.
  The reforms that the Indonesian government has implemented --however 
encouraging--do not on their own guarantee free and fair elections, nor 
do they help to reduce the tensions related to East Timor's political 
status. Violence has been on the rise. The world has witnessed 
increased hostilities in recent months among groups that have cultural 
and political interest in what the future shape of East Timor will be. 
The Indonesian government has a responsibility to resolve these 
tensions. I believe it can begin by abandoning its plan to employ 
civilian militias to combat violence and dismantling existing militias, 
whose abuses are already heightening the potential for violence. The 
government must help the military find means for handling violent 
outbursts effectively, without abuse.
  Allegations of the Indonesian military's direct involvement in 
committing human rights abuses and perpetuating violence led me to 
support a restriction on U.S. arms sales and International Military 
Education and Training (IMET) aid to Indonesia which was initiated by 
Congress in 1993. I was, and still am, concerned that the Indonesian 
armed forces might use U.S. arms, military training, and financial 
assistance to commit human rights violations against innocent 
civilians. It remains necessary to keep these restrictions in place 
until it is clear that the Indonesian military is committed to 
upholding democratic principles.
  I am encouraged that the leaders of the Indonesian military, the pro-
Indonesia militias and the pro-Independence rebels signed a peace 
agreement on April 21, 1999 that calls for an end to the violence and a 
laying down of arms. It also establishes a Peace and Stability 
Commission which may help to determine the process by which full 
disarmament can occur and the political status of East Timor can be 
determined. These are significant steps forward and I believe lay the 
groundwork for real stability and peace.
  Mr. President, it must not stop there, however. The Indonesian 
government--with the support and commitment of its military--must 
continue its dialogue with all competing factions, both those that 
support and those that oppose independence. Together, they must seek to 
resolve outstanding issues--such as disarmament and the question that 
will be asked on the ballot--in the most expeditious way possible. I am 
pleased that East Timor groups favoring independence from Indonesia 
have been included in recent

[[Page S4722]]

discussions regarding the future political status of East Timor. It is 
important for all parties to be at the table since all parties must 
ultimately abide by the agreement if it is to be credible and enduring.
  While the exact details of the tripartite negotiations that occurred 
last month between Indonesia, Portugal and the U.N. are not fully clear 
at this time, the world community will be watching closely when they 
are released. The August ballot is supposed to determine the political 
future of East Timor. Whether the East Timorese choose independence or 
continued unity with Indonesia, the voting process and the period 
following the vote must be free of violence and intimidation. The world 
community can play an active role in helping the Indonesian government 
see that this happens.
  The Administration has pledged $30 million to assist Indonesia during 
its national election. However, I believe we, and others in the 
international community, should do more to make sure that sufficient 
funds are available both for a free and fair election to occur in June 
and to help the Indonesian government conduct a free and fair ballot 
for East Timor in August. The United Nations already has agreed to send 
a civilian police force to East Timor to monitor the vote. I believe 
this is a good first step. The U.N. presence should, though, be 
supplemented by international, non-governmental organizations, or 
equivalent Indonesian groups, which can help monitor and facilitate the 
ballot process.
  The time is now for the U.S. and the international community to focus 
on Indonesia and East Timor. The national election for Indonesia is 
less than six weeks away and the ballot for East Timor is only about 
eight weeks after that. I believe, as one long involved in Southeast 
Asia, that it is important for those who have interest in the future 
stability of this region to start creating a positive atmosphere in 
which both of these events can occur.

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