[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 67 (Wednesday, May 22, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S4698]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                       EAST TIMOR'S INDEPENDENCE

  Mr. TORRICELLI. Mr President, I would like to extend my warmest 
welcome to the newest democracy to join the family of nations. This 
week, after a long and arduous struggle, the nation of East Timor 
officially celebrated it independence from Indonesia.
  This has been a long and hard fought process for the people of East 
Timor. For 300 years, they were a colony of Portugal. Then upon the end 
of colonial rule in 1975, and a brief period of independence, East 
Timor was annexed to Indonesia.
  In August of 1999, the people of East Timor voted in favor of 
independence from Indonesia. This historic moment regrettably set off a 
tragic wave of violence that left much of the country in devastation. 
While the people of East Timor have come a great distance since that 
moment, there is still much rebuilding and healing to do.
  In January of 2000, the United Nations International Commission of 
Inquiry into East Timor concluded that the terror, destruction and 
displacement of people that occurred would not have been possible 
without the involvement of the Indonesian military during August of 
2002. During that same period, some 250,000 East Timorese fled to West 
Timor, while there are still 55,000 refuges who have not been 
repatriated.
  For the people of East Timor to move forward and have positive 
relations with their Indonesian neighbors, it is vital that these 
findings be investigated and those who are found guilty of committing 
crimes against humanity be brought to justice. The Indonesian 
government has taken an important step in this matter by establishing 
an ad hoc Human Rights Court for East Timor, however, this court has 
its own short-comings. By limiting the scope of inquires to atrocities 
alleged after the August referendum, it has effectively blocked the 
prosecution of high-level military officials who are believed to have 
masterminded the violence. Without the ability to investigate and bring 
to justice those involved in human rights abuses throughout East 
Timor's time as part of Indonesia, those who have suffered will be 
unable to move forward in their lives.
  While we cannot forget the injustices of the past, this week is also 
a time to look forward. East Timor has the opportunity to build a 
vibrant and prosperous nation. The task of developing a thriving 
democracy is an ongoing process. It requires a respect for the rule of 
law and the ability to share differing opinions. I am confidant that 
the people of East Timor will met these challenges as they have the 
others before them; and they have taken a positive step by voting to 
sign the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights as their 
legislature's first act.
  While many of these steps the people of East Timor must take for 
themselves, the United States and our fellow democracies will still 
play a vital role in the hopes of East Timorese. Given the level of 
destruction, it is important that the United States and other nations 
continue foreign aid in an effort to enable the East Timorese to 
provide vital services such as education, shelter, and healthcare to 
their people. Also, the established democracies of the world can 
provide valuable insight into the running of democratic institutions as 
the government of East Timor undertakes the responsibilities of full 
sovereignty. These and other forms of aid will play a vital role in the 
ability of East Timor to mature as an established nation.
  Lastly, this momentous occasion would not have been possible without 
the perserverance of the people of East Timor and supportive non-
governmental organizations such as the East Timor Action Network, and I 
commend them on their efforts. The people of East Timor have endured 
much to gain their freedom, and I wish them the best in their newfound 
independence.

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