---------------------------------------------------------- Visit Indonesia Daily News Online HomePage: http://www.indo-news.com/ Please Visit Our Sponsor http://www.indo-news.com/cgi-bin/ads1 ---------------------------------------------------------- Media Release For Immediate Release Contact Karen Orenstein; (202)544-6911 John M. Miller; (718)596-7668; (516)317-6257 (mobile) Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill Keeps Pressure on Indonesia to Respect East Timor Vote 18 November 1999 -- The East Timor Action Network/U.S. (ETAN) today praised continuing congressional support for implementing East Timor's overwhelming vote for independence. The Omnibus/DC Appropriations Conference Report (HR 3194), passed by the House of Representatives today, restricts military assistance to Indonesia. "This bill makes clear that the U.S. Congress intends to maintain pressure on the Indonesian military and government until East Timorese refugees have returned and a peaceful transition to independence is achieved," said Lynn Fredriksson, Washington Representative of the East Timor Action Network/U.S. The appropriations bill would restrict the current fiscal year's military assistance to Indonesia until the President certifies that Indonesia has met certain conditions, including assisting in the repatriation of East Timorese refugees forcibly removed to West Timor, aiding investigations of human rights violations by the Indonesian military and its militias, and preventing militia attacks on East Timor. The bill now goes to the Senate, where it is expected to pass, then to President Clinton, who has said he will sign it. The appropriations bill would bind into law for Fiscal Year 2000 much of the Clinton administration's temporary ban on military assistance to Indonesia first announced in early September as the Indonesian military and its militias began their scorched earth campaign in the wake of East Timor's August 30 vote for independence. Key leaders in congressional efforts to maintain restrictions on the Indonesian military and to support East Timor include Senators Patrick Leahy (VT), Russell Feingold (WI) and Tom Harkin (IA) and Representatives Patrick Kennedy (MA), Nita Lowey (MA) and Chris Smith (NJ). The appropriations bill also calls for a detailed report of all overseas military training for foreign militaries past or planned by the Pentagon. This provision resulted from controversy over the Joint Combined Exchange Training program (JCET) of the Indonesian military, which members of Congress, including Rep. Lane Evans (IL), and ETAN exposed last year. The bill continues the ban on IMET (International Military Education and Training) aid to Indonesia. IMET for Indonesia has been restricted since 1992. The bill also affirms current law by retaining the ban on Indonesia's use of U.S.-supplied weapons in East Timor. The bill also increases Economic Support Funds for the Agency for International Development (USAID) by $168.5 million. ETAN is encouraging the administration to utilize a significant portion of this increase for reconstruction in East Timor. "Although Indonesia has withdrawn its troops and renounced its illegal claim to East Timor, militias remain a threat to East Timorese both inside and outside the territory. Members of the Indonesian military -- in and out of uniform -- continue to train and direct the militias," said Fredriksson. "Those responsible for the destruction of East Timor must be held to account, but Indonesia refuses to cooperate with the UN's investigation of human rights abuses." "Indonesia's new president has said he wants to see the refugees return and have good relations with East Timor. Continued U.S. pressure on the Indonesian military will help achieve these goals. Bans on military assistance should remain in place until there are fundamental changes in the Indonesian military, including an end to human rights abuses in Indonesia itself," she added. Over 200,000 East Timorese remain in West Timor and other parts of Indonesia; most against their will. The UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) has repeatedly protested militia interference with their efforts to repatriate refugees. Earlier today, UNHCR reported that militias attacked a UNHCR convoy, injuring at least two refugees. Indonesian police stood by as the attack took place. Komnas HAM, Indonesia's National Commission on Human Rights, recently reported that militia groups in West Timor control the refugee camps and have committed "systematic and organized human rights violations," including forced disappearances, arbitrary detention and violence against women. Indonesian security forces "let these things continue," Komnas HAM said. The East Timor Action Network/U.S. was founded in November 1991, following the massacre of more than 271 peaceful demonstrators in Dili, East Timor. ETAN supports genuine self-determination and human rights for the people of East Timor. ETAN has 27 local chapters throughout the U.S. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Didistribusikan tgl. 19 Nov 1999 jam 10:54:12 GMT+1 oleh: Indonesia Daily News Online <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> http://www.Indo-News.com/ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
