Senate Passes Amendment On East Timor Ballot Violence

June 22, 1999

(Tues., June 22, 1999) -- The U.S. Senate Tuesday approved, as part of the State Department Authorization Bill, an amendment sponsored by Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and principal cosponsor Sen. Russell Feingold, D-Wis., that calls on the Administration to intensify efforts to convince the Indonesian Government to disarm the anti-independence militias which, with the support of the Indonesian military, are working to sabotage the August vote on East Timor's future. The amendment also asks President Clinton to report to Congress on subsequent steps taken by both the Administration and the Indonesian Government.

The Leahy-Feingold Amendment, which was accepted Tuesday afternoon by voice vote as part of the managers' package of amendments before final passage of the bill, is cosponsored by Feingold and also by Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I.; Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa; Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.; Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan, D-N.Y.; Sen. Herb Kohl, D-Wis.; Sen. John Chafee, R- R.I.; Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass.; Sen. Jim Jeffords, R-Vt.; Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass.; Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif.; Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash.; Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y.; Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif.; Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill.; Sen. Paul Wellstone, D-Minn.; and Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore.

"This amendment reinforces what the Indonesian Government has already committed to do," said Leahy. "It recognizes many of the positive steps that have been taken, but it also expresses our deep concern that August is quickly approaching, and current conditions in East Timor are far from conducive to holding a free and fair ballot. Hundreds of civilians have been killed, injured or disappeared in ongoing violence by anti-independence militias armed by members of the Indonesian military for the purpose of sabotaging the vote.

"The inclusion of anti-independence members in Indonesian forces responsible for establishing security in East Timor threatens the neutrality of the military and police and will result in more bloodshed," Leahy said. "We should be prepared to use all the resources at our disposal, including our voice and vote at the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank and other international financial institutions to convince the Indonesians to stop the violence. This is not only their responsibility, it is in their best interests. If the Indonesian military succeeds in sabotaging the vote, Indonesia will face international condemnation."

"The window of opportunity to resolve the question of East Timor's political status is now open, and it is in the interest of the United States to support the U.N.-sponsored effort that is underway," said Feingold, a member of the Senate Subcommittee on East Asia. "Nevertheless, I remain concerned about the delicate security situation in East Timor. We must exert maximum pressure on the Government of Indonesia to disarm and disband the anti-independence militias which have killed and intimidated civilians."