Subject: CONG: US Senators write Albright on E Timor
Date: Sat, 06 Mar 1999 08:40:40 -0500
From: "John M. Miller" <fbp@igc.apc.org>United States Senate
WASHINGTON, DC 20610
Secretary of State Madeleine Albright U.S. Department of State 2201 C Street, NW
Washington, DC 20520
Dear Madame Secretary: 1 March 1999
As you continue your visit to Asia, we are writing to encourage you to take the
opportunity of your stop in Indonesia to press the Indonesian government to work toward a
just and peaceful settlement of the situation in East Timor.
While recent statements by the Indonesian government indicating a willingness to
consider independence for East Timer were encouraging, the situation on the ground in East
Timor remains one of escalating violence by the Indonesian military (ABRI) and ABRI-backed
paramilitary units. Serious political violence has wracked East Timor's capital, Dili, in
recent days. This immediate crisis must be addressed if hopes of progress toward a
resolution of East Timor's status are to be realized.
In your discussions with Indonesian leaders later this week, we urge you to seek their
cooperation in implementing several measures which are essential to ameliorate the current
situation and lay the groundwork for constructive negotiations on East Timor's future. You
should press the Indonesians to: Allow the speedy introduction of permanent UN and other
international observers in East Timor; end immediately the arming of pro-integrationist
para- military units in East Timor by the ABRI; initiate a process to disarm and disband
these units; and, proceed with a genuine, monitored withdrawal of Indonesian troops from
East Timor. We also encourage you to call for the immediate release from house arrest of
Xanana Gusmao and to proceed with your reported plans to meet with him during your visit.
We recognize the efforts that you and Assistant Secretary Stanley Roth have made to
promote the release of political prisoners in Indonesia and to advocate the withdrawal of
ABRI troops from East Timor. We hope that you will successfully carry this work forward
during your time in Jakarta and look forward to hearing a report upon your return.
Senator Paul Wellstone
Senator Russell Feingold
Senator Frank Lautenberg
Senator Tom Harkin
Senator Edward Kennedy
Senator Patrick Leahy
Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan
Senator Frank Lautenberg
Senator Joseph Lieberman
Senator Robert Torricelli
Senator Herb Kohl
Senator Jack Reed
Senator Charles Grassley
Senator Dianne Feinstein
Senator Barbara Mikulski
Senator Richard Durbin
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