[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 137 (Monday, September 17, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H10391-H10393]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   COMMENDING THE FIRST DEMOCRATIC ELECTIONS IN ACEH, A PROVINCE IN 
                           SUMATRA, INDONESIA

  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree 
to the resolution (H. Res. 238) commending the first democratic 
elections in Aceh, a province in Sumatra, Indonesia, and expressing 
support for the further democratic development and implementation of 
the Helsinki Memorandum of Understanding.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows

                              H. Res. 238

       Whereas for three decades there has been a continuous armed 
     conflict in Aceh, a province in Sumatra, Indonesia;
       Whereas violence between the Indonesian military and the 
     Free Aceh Movement has resulted in an estimated 15,000 deaths 
     in the region;
       Whereas the tsunami on December 26, 2004, killed at least 
     165,000 people in Aceh, devastated the landscape, and led to 
     the loss of livelihood for 600,000 people;
       Whereas the Government of Indonesia and the Free Aceh 
     Movement signed a Memorandum of Understanding on August 15, 
     2005, in Helsinki;
       Whereas the Aceh Monitoring Mission (AMM), led by the 
     European Union (EU), the Association of Southeast Asian 
     Nations (ASEAN), Norway, and Switzerland, has supported the 
     implementation of the Helsinki Memorandum of Understanding 
     successfully;
       Whereas the Free Aceh Movement has demobilized its military 
     troops and decommissioned its arms;
       Whereas the Government of Indonesia has withdrawn its 
     nonorganic military and police forces from Aceh;
       Whereas the Law on the Governing of Aceh (LoGA) was signed 
     into law by Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on 
     August 1, 2006;
       Whereas the general life situation of the Acehnese has 
     improved significantly since the signing of the Helsinki 
     Memorandum of Understanding and the Acehnese populate markets 
     and celebrate festivities in public;
       Whereas the first democratic and peaceful gubernatorial and 
     district administrative

[[Page H10392]]

     elections in Aceh were held on December 11, 2006, and more 
     than 80 percent of entitled Acehnese voted; and
       Whereas Irwandi Yusuf, a former leader of the Free Aceh 
     Movement, won the gubernatorial election with the highest 
     support of more than 38 percent of total votes: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved,  That the House of Representatives--
       (1) commends the first democratic elections in Aceh, a 
     province in Sumatra, Indonesia, in which the Acehnese have 
     shown their strong commitment to democracy and peace, and 
     congratulates Irwandi Yusuf, the first democratic elected 
     governor of Aceh;
       (2) expresses its ongoing support for the further 
     democratic development of Aceh and the Helsinki Memorandum of 
     Understanding signed by the Government of Indonesia and the 
     Free Aceh Movement on August 15, 2005;
       (3) encourages both parties to live up to their commitments 
     under the Helsinki Memorandum of Understanding, especially 
     with regard to establishing a Human Rights Court for Aceh and 
     a Commission of Truth and Reconciliation; and
       (4) encourages the Secretary of State and the Administrator 
     of the United States Agency for International Development to 
     commit resources in supporting the peace and building a 
     strong civil society in Aceh.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
American Samoa (Mr. Faleomavaega) and the gentleman from New Jersey 
(Mr. Smith) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from American Samoa.


                             General Leave

  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks 
and to include extraneous material on the resolution being considered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from American Samoa?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this 
resolution, and I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, again, I want to thank the leadership of our House 
Foreign Affairs Committee, the distinguished gentleman from California, 
Chairman Tom Lantos, and our senior ranking member, Congresswoman Ros-
Lehtinen, for their support and their leadership in bringing this bill 
to the floor. I would also like to thank our distinguished colleague 
from New York (Mr. Crowley) for introducing this important resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, on December 11, 2006, the Indonesian province of Aceh 
was host to one of the truly exceptional events in recent world 
history. Only 2 years after a devastating tsunami claimed some 165,000 
lives of the people of Aceh, which is a province of Indonesia, and 
following three decades, almost 30 years, of violent conflict that 
ravaged this region, the courageous people of Aceh held peaceful and 
democratic elections. It was an inspiring testament to the human 
spirit.
  More than 80 percent of eligible voters cast their ballots in this 
landmark election. It signaled a new chapter in the lives of the 
beleaguered people of Aceh and served as a bold demonstration of the 
power of democracy and diplomacy throughout the world.
  Diplomacy, Mr. Speaker. This election could not have taken place 
without the willingness of the Government of Indonesia and the armed 
fighters of the Free Aceh Movement to take the important step of 
choosing peace over violence to settle their differences. After decades 
of bloody battle, the two sides put down their arms and negotiated the 
Helsinki Memorandum of Understanding on August 15, 2006.

                              {time}  1530

  Mr. Speaker, we have seen it from Northern Ireland to South Africa 
and around the world. When government and rebel groups are finally 
willing to lay down their arms and come to the negotiating table, 
agreements previously thought not possible can suddenly come to 
fruition.
  In addition to calling for elections, the Aceh Memorandum of 
Understanding also calls for the establishment of a Human Rights Court 
and a Truth and Reconciliation Commission, very similar to what 
happened in South Africa. It is important that these bodies be 
established without delay so that Aceh can begin to heal and then 
fulfill its potential.
  In choosing to settle their dispute peacefully and committing to a 
democratic process, the Government of Indonesia and the Free Aceh 
Movement showed true leadership by putting the people of Aceh first. 
This resolution commends this bold choice and the elections that it 
produced, supports the full implementation of the Helsinki Memorandum 
of Understanding, recognizes how far Aceh has come, and expresses hope 
for the future.
  Mr. Speaker, I also would like to recognize the leadership of the 
President of Indonesia, President Susilo Yudhoyono. I know he played a 
most critical role in bringing about a peaceful solution to the 
province of Aceh. Just as in my recent discussions with him a couple of 
months ago, he had given promise that he is also totally committed to 
the full implementation of the autonomy law that was passed by the 
Indonesian Parliament to provide for greater democracy and self-rule 
for the people of West Papua. I know this issue is not related to the 
Aceh situation, but I do know it is connected to the fact that Jakarta 
or the Government of Indonesia is the government responsible for what 
has happened between these two provinces.
  But I do want to give recognition to President SBY, as he is usually 
known in Indonesia, for his leadership and for his efforts in bringing 
finally to a peaceful solution the situation in the province of Aceh.
  I fully support this resolution, and I ask my colleagues to support 
its passage.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume and rise in support of H. Res. 238, which commends the 
momentous Democratic elections held in Aceh, Indonesia this past 
December.
  For decades, that region of northern Sumatra was caught in seemingly 
endless cycles of retribution. Separatist violence by the Free Aceh 
Movement, known as the GAM, provoked brutal crackdowns by the 
Indonesian military, and far too often it was the civilians in the 
middle who paid the price. That conflict and the mistrust of both sides 
appeared insurmountable.
  Then, on December 26, 2004, an even more terrible tragedy struck the 
area. The Indian Ocean tsunami suddenly snuffed out over 165,000 lives 
in Aceh alone, devastated the coastline, and displaced hundreds of 
thousands more.
  In January of 2005, within days of the tsunami, I visited the 
devastated coastline and the Banda Aceh aid center, along with the 
United States Navy crews who were providing water and logistical 
support from the USS Abraham Lincoln for humanitarian relief efforts.
  It was a cataclysm of biblical proportions. But the immensity of the 
suffering it caused also diminished the relative significance of the 
political conflicts that had afflicted those communities for so long. 
Since then, we have seen progress towards democracy and reconciliation 
that would have not appeared possible beforehand.
  The signing of the Helsinki Memorandum of Understanding, the 
withdrawal of Indonesian troops and military from outside of Aceh, the 
demobilization of the GAM forces and the enactment of the law on the 
governing of Aceh were all and are very positive and hopeful signs.
  Over 80 percent of the eligible Acehnese voters participated in last 
December's peaceful district and gubernatorial elections, and in an 
unmistakable sign of change, the former GAM leader, Irwandi Yusuf, was 
elected as governor.
  Of course, the work of long-term reconciliation and building of a 
strong civil society will take time and continued cooperation from all 
parties. Thus, it is appropriate that this resolution encourages both 
sides to live up to their commitments under the Helsinki Memorandum, 
particularly with regard to establishing a Human Rights Court for Aceh 
and a Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Having personally witnessed 
the suffering of the Acehnese and the devastation of their homes and 
livelihoods following the tsunami, I am particularly hopeful that we 
are witnessing the springtime of democracy, peace and development in 
Aceh.
  I want to thank Mr. Crowley for presenting us with this opportunity 
to congratulate the people of Aceh and the Government of Indonesia on 
the progress they have achieved so far.
  Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.

[[Page H10393]]

  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, as much as we recognize what has happened and is 
developing there in Indonesia, especially in this province of Aceh 
where great democratization or, I suppose, having a better relationship 
with the central government in Jakarta, there are a couple of things I 
want to share with my colleague.
  That is not all. Indonesia happens to be the fourth most populous 
country in the world. Indonesia also is the largest, most populous 
Muslim country in the world, with some 223 million people there. And 
they are Sunni Muslims. I want to share that with my colleagues as a 
point of interest.
  I think it was just last week that, if the media reports are 
accurate, Indonesia also just recently signed a $1 billion arms trade 
agreement with Russia. That is a real twist there in terms of what is 
happening in the Asia-Pacific region and why this country ought not be 
neglected in terms of our interest and what we should be doing to work 
closely with the leaders of Indonesia or Jakarta, for that matter.
  Indonesia is going through transition and some very serious problems. 
I indicated earlier about the serious problems it had had with the 
province of West Papua. West Papua is part of Indonesia. It was a 
former colony of the Dutch. Then the dictator, Suharto, by use of 
military force colonized West Papua again, if you want to put it in 
those terms.
  The largest gold mining operation in the world happens to be in West 
Papua in this province in Indonesia. It is tremendously rich in terms 
of minerals and oil and all these things that are part of this country.
  As much as I want to express that sense of hope that the resolution 
to some 30 years of war, this revolt between the people of Aceh and 
Indonesia, I just want to express a sense of concern to my colleagues 
that the situation in West Papua is still not clear, and I sincerely 
hope in the coming weeks and months that President Susilo Yudhoyono 
will be more forthcoming in terms of the commitment that he has made.
  I want to thank the Government of Indonesia for allocating some $2 
billion, hopefully, finally, after some 50 or 60 years of not even 
giving the time of day for the needs of the people of West Papua, some 
$2 billion to build an infrastructure, to provide better schools, 
better roads, better hospitals. I sincerely hope that President SBY 
will follow through with this commitment concerning the province of 
West Papua.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from American Samoa (Mr. Faleomavaega) that the House suspend 
the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 238.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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