[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 119 (Tuesday, September 14, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S10847]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                               EAST TIMOR

  Ms. MIKULSKI. Mr. President, I am horrified by the atrocities 
occurring in East Timor--where an armed militia is using murder and 
intimidation to nullify the results of a free and fair referendum. The 
United States must join the international community in protecting the 
people of East Timor from mass murder and religious persecution.
  During this century, we have seen horrifying examples of dictators 
and despots whose brutality begins with attacks on the peaceful men and 
women of the church. This is happening again in East Timor--where 
members of the Church are being brutally persecuted.
  The stories coming out of East Timor are heart-wrenching.
  Women and children are massacred within the sanctuary of their 
churches. Catholic priests, nuns and Caritas workers are being murdered 
as they try to protect their communities. Nobel Loreate Bishop Beli has 
been forced into exile. Churches, convents and schools are being 
burned. Thousands of men, women and children are fleeing from their 
homes in fear. They are taking refuge in the countryside--where there 
isn't enough food, water or medicine.
  This brutality is occurring with the complicity of the Indonesian 
military. This is a military that has conducted twenty five years of 
repression in East Timor. It is a military that the United States has 
trained and armed.
  The international community cannot stand by while civilians are 
brutally murdered. That is why I support President Clinton's statement 
of support for US participation in an United Nations peacekeeping 
force. The force would be led by regional powers--including our strong 
ally Australia. The United States would help to provide logistical 
support.
  This peacekeeping force would have three goals: to protect the people 
of East Timor; to restore order and to enable the referendum for 
independence to be implemented.
  The United States must stand up for our interests and our values. We 
must join our allies in protecting the people of East Timor and 
restoring peace and stability to their country.

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