[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 66 (Tuesday, May 21, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4615-S4616]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                CELEBRATION OF EAST TIMOR'S INDEPENDENCE

  Mr. REED. Mr. President, I rise to recognize the new nation of East 
Timor.
  I want to congratulate and honor the people of East Timor for their 
perseverance and triumph of freedom in the face of tremendous odds. 
However, while we celebrate this victory we also must remember the long 
and arduous road by which they arrived here and recognize the 
challenging road which lies ahead. East Timor's road to independence--
achieved on May 20, 2002--has been marked by years of suffering. 
Indonesia invaded East Timor shortly after Portugal withdrew in 1975 
and forcefully tried to subdue a resentful people. Many suffered and 
died during Indonesia's 25-year occupation which ended in 1999.
  Indonesia finally agreed 2 years ago to a referendum on independence 
for the East Timorese people. When the

[[Page S4616]]

referendum showed overwhelming support for independence, Indonesian 
loyalists murdered hundreds and reduced towns to ruins.
  An international peacekeeping force halted the mayhem and paved the 
way for the United Nations to help East Timor back onto its feet. With 
U.N. assistance, the East Timorese have been rebuilding their nation. 
They have held their first democratic election, drafted and adopted 
their country's first constitution, and adopted their national flag and 
national anthem. On May 20, 2002, the United Nations handed over the 
reins to the newly established democratic government, and East Timor 
stands on its feet as the first new, free nation of the millennium.
  Although the rebuilding of East Timor has been one of the U.N.'s more 
successful stories, East Timor is expected to remain reliant on outside 
help for many years since its poor infrastructure has been destroyed 
and it is drought-prone. According to a recent report, 41 percent of 
East Timorese live in poverty and 48 percent are illiterate. East Timor 
also faces the challenge of repatriating a large refugee population--
approximately 55,000 East Timorese refugees continue to live in 
deplorable conditions in an environment of intimidation in Indonesia.
  With this situation in mind, the world community's support for East 
Timor's future is critical over the next several years. The U.S. should 
work with the U.N. and its members to make sure the job of preparing 
East Timor for self-rule is completed. The U.S. and the world should 
ensure that children receive a quality education, adequate healthcare 
and shelter, and that other needs for a decent standard of living are 
met. This is especially crucial in light of the recently released UNDP 
report that classified East Timor as one of the 20 poorest countries in 
the world and the poorest in Asia.
  It is equally important though, for East Timor to focus on the 
future. Now that the East Timorese people have their own independent 
nation they will need peaceful and constructive relations with their 
neighbor Indonesia and the international family of peaceful nations. I 
wish their new president, Mr. Xanana Gusmao, well as he continues to 
advocate a policy of reconciliation with Indonesia. He has said that 
his country must move on from the past and focus on issues such as 
education and healthcare.
  Mr. Gusmao's vision and the will of the East Timorese people provide 
great hope and potential for East Timor as it faces these challenges. 
And as they do, let them know that the U.S. and other free, democratic 
nations will continue to offer our friendship and steadfast support.
  So it is with great pride and honor that I recognize the dogged 
determination and perseverance of the East Timorese people, 
congratulate them on the birth of their free and democratic nation--the 
first new nation of this new millennium, and welcome them into the 
family of peaceful nations.

                          ____________________