Statement Of Sen. Patrick Leahy On Turmoil In East Timor

September 08, 1999

[Leahy, the ranking member of the Senate Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee, has been a leader on U.S. policy issues relating to East Timor and was chief sponsor of legislation that earlier cut off military training for Indonesia and that bars transfer of lethal arms to East Timor. Another Leahy amendment calling for the suspension of World Bank assistance to Indonesia passed the Senate during debate on the FY2000 Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill on June 30. Since the outbreak of violence after the referendum, Leahy has urged the immediate suspension of military aid and sales of military equipment to Indonesia and U.S. opposition to World Bank loans to Indonesia's government. On Wednesday afternoon, Leahy met with Jose Ramos-Horta, the East Timorese pro-independence leader who shared the 1996 Nobel Peace Prize, to discuss the crisis of violence that has swept East Timor since the referendum on its status.]

"The violence in East Timor has outraged the world, yet it continues. Those who could have prevented the chaos and bloodshed by anti-independence militias have, instead, armed and encouraged them.

"The United States also bears responsibility. The Indonesian military was trained and equipped by the United States and our allies. The United States has been a stalwart supporter of the Indonesian Government throughout the years, despite flagrant corruption by Indonesian officials and widespread repression in East Timor by the Indonesian military.

"Today we see the results of that relationship. Two-hundred-thousand East Timorese have fled their homes to escape the rampage. Bishop Belo's home was burned to the ground. Priests and nuns have been shot dead. United Nations employees have been killed. Virtually no food is available to the thousands who have been uprooted.

"Indonesian President Habibie's response was to declare martial law, giving the military even greater license to thwart the rule of law and join in the mayhem.

"Over the years, I have sponsored amendments that cut off U.S. military training and transfers of lethal equipment to East Timor. My amendment in July, which passed 98-0, urged the administration to use its influence with the Indonesian Government to ensure a free and fair vote on independence. Now the will of the people is being trampled.

"Today, I joined Senator Feingold and others in introducing legislation that would impose immediate sanctions against the Indonesian Government and military. We have done so because our own government has failed to act. All of the measures called for in our legislation could be implemented by the Administration on its own, but the Administration continues to issue warnings and do nothing. We have influence. We should use it.

"Likewise, the United Nations has passed resolutions expressing concern and urging the Indonesian Government to restore order, despite abundant evidence that the government is unwilling to do so. Hundreds of innocent people have died as a result, despite General Wiranto's assurance that the will of the people would be respected. He and President Habibie bear much of the responsibility for this catastrophe.

"Two things should happen immediately. The United States, Britain and Australia, and any other country that can be persuaded to do so, should immediately suspend all military cooperation and support, aid, training and sales of military equipment to Indonesia. We should also immediately announce that we will actively oppose any World Bank, IMF, or other international loans to the Indonesian Government.

"This should be our policy until peace is restored, the results of the August 30th ballot are implemented, and the Indonesian military is behaving in a way that is consistent with its responsibility to protect the rights of its citizens and uphold its international obligations.

"There is no justification for delay. At stake is an historic opportunity to finally fulfill the wishes of the East Timorese people, and to avoid irreparable harm to the credibility of the United Nations that sponsored the ballot."

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