[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 116 (Thursday, September 9, 1999)]
[House]
[Page H8004]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              WE MUST RESPOND TO THE CRISIS IN EAST TIMOR

  (Ms. PELOSI asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Ms. PELOSI. Madam Speaker, as we gather here today in Congress it is 
nighttime in East Timor. Thousands of refugees are fleeing the country.
  East Timor is a country of 800,000 people, and nearly a third of them 
have had to flee since the election the other day. At that time, the 
people of East Timor voted overwhelmingly for independence; but instead 
violence rules in East Timor. And the world has not spoken out 
adequately, appropriately, sufficiently in any way to respond.
  In the course of 500 years of domination of other countries' cultures 
including the Japanese occupation of 50 years, never in that time were 
the religious institutions attacked. But in the last few days, the home 
of Bishop Belo was bombed, was set afire. This place was a refuge, a 
sanctuary for people who came for shelter from the violence and has 
been set afire by the militia and the military.
  Madam Speaker, how much more will have to happen there before we will 
act to cut off the funds from the IMF? Support the Capuano resolution 
that will come to the floor today.

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