[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 51 (Tuesday, April 20, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E559]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 PURSUING DEMOCRACY ONE VOTE AT A TIME

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. DAN BURTON

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 20, 2004

  Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to inform my 
colleagues on Indonesia's recent strides towards democratization. 
Indonesia should be hailed as the poster child for emerging democracies 
throughout the world. A major secular state with a Muslim majority, 
Indonesia is the world's third largest democracy and is gaining 
International recognition for its strides towards complete 
democratization. Indonesia's democratization matters precisely because 
the country is making progressive political and constitutional reforms 
while also demonstrating that Islam and democracy are not mutually 
exclusive and can successfully work in tandem for one nation.
  When so many positive stories in the Muslim world are obscured by 
violent uprisings in areas of historic conflict, it is high time to 
take notice of the truly impressive strides Indonesia is making. On 
Monday, April 5th, nearly 148 million voters in Indonesia took to the 
polls in a critical test for their young democracy. Indonesians 
selected national, provincial, and regional Parliamentary 
Representatives. Unlike other international elections, campaigning 
there has not been marred by violence--and by most media reports--the 
balloting was conducted in an efficient, clean, transparent, and purely 
democratic manner. And on July 5th, in one of the largest electoral 
undertakings in the world and for the first time in Indonesia's 
history, the President and Vice President will be directly elected.
  Indonesia's economy was battered in the financial crisis of 1997, and 
governing this sprawling archipelago has not been easy in the wake of 
the economic meltdown and dramatic political change that we have 
witnessed in the seven short years of post-Soeharto Reformasi. In fact, 
much remains to be done there, particularly in the critical areas of 
judicial reform, corruption, human rights, and social welfare.
  With close to half of the world's shipping fleet passing through 
Indonesian waters, the geopolitical importance of the country cannot be 
overstated. In addition, the threat of terrorism in Southeast Asia is 
real and Indonesia has been the unfortunate victim of several major 
attacks in recent years. In order to quell terrorist threats, 
Indonesia's government is discovering new ways of working with regional 
law enforcement and intelligence communities in hopes of rooting out 
homegrown radicalism. But Indonesia should not fight this battle alone: 
solid U.S. support is needed in the struggle to keep Indonesia safe 
against the devastation and destruction of terrorism.
  With more than 300 major American firms doing business in Indonesia--
and as massive decentralization takes place--near term U.S. investment 
in the country will exceed $25 Billion. As a result, the United States 
should continue providing support to help Indonesia stabilize and 
consolidate these economic, political, and social gains. By combining 
strategic development initiatives and more effective public diplomacy, 
we can successfully engage Indonesia in this election year and beyond.
  As a new generation of democratic participation arises out of 
Indonesia's turbulent past, the United States and Indonesia's neighbors 
can only benefit as Indonesia embraces the model of a modern democratic 
state. With Indonesia's current level of economic and social 
development, the International Community now has the unique opportunity 
to assist with the country's continual progress towards complete 
democratization. We should do all we can to help Indonesia become a 
positive Muslim and democratic influence in that vital region of the 
world community.

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