[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 117 (Friday, September 10, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S10735]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 181--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE SENATE REGARDING THE 
                        SITUATION IN EAST TIMOR

  Mr. HARKIN (for himself, Mr. Leahy, Mr. Feingold, Mr. Chafee, and Mr. 
Wellstone) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
the Committee on Foreign Relations:

                               S. Res 181

       Whereas on May 5, 1999, the Governments of Indonesia and 
     Portugal signed an agreement that provided for an August 8, 
     1999, ballot organized by the United Nations on the political 
     status of East Timor;
       Whereas under the May 5th agreement the Government of 
     Indonesia freely agreed to be responsible for establishing a 
     secure environment in East Timor that would be free of 
     intimidation and violence;
       Whereas on August 30, 1999, 78 percent of the people in 
     East Timor voted for independence; and
       Whereas, after the vote for independence, the militias in 
     East Timor intensified their reign of terror against the 
     people of East Timor unrestrained by the Government of 
     Indonesia: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved,

     SECTION 1. SENSE OF THE SENATE REGARDING THE SITUATION IN 
                   EAST TIMOR.

       (a) In General.--The Senate hereby--
       (1) congratulates the people of East Timor for their heroic 
     vote on August 30, 1999;
       (2) recognizes that the people of East Timor voted for 
     independence;
       (3) condemns the violence of the militias in East Timor and 
     the inaction by the Government of Indonesia to end the 
     violence; and
       (4) calls on the Government of Indonesia to end all 
     violence in accordance with the May 5, 1999 agreement.
       (b) Sense of the Senate.--It is the sense of the Senate 
     that--
       (1) the President of the United States should instruct the 
     United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations 
     to immediately seek the United Nations Security Council 
     authorization for the deployment of an international force to 
     address the security situation in East Timor; and
       (2) the United States should assist in this effort in an 
     appropriate manner.

     SEC. 2. TRANSMITTAL OF RESOLUTION.

       The Secretary of the Senate shall transmit a copy of this 
     resolution to the President.

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