Political Quotes

“last Thursday, the House Committee on International Relations Subcommittee on Asia-Pacific Affairs, of which I am a member, held a joint hearing with the Senate Subcommittee on East Asian and Pacific Affairs to review the current crisis in East Timor and the implications on the overall future of Indonesia. I certainly want to commend the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter) and the Senator from Wyoming (Mr. Thomas) for jointly addressing this compelling crisis now confronting the international community. Mr. Speaker, I recall some 38 years ago right outside this Chamber at his inaugural address, I believe it was in 1961, that President John F. Kennedy made this profound statement to the world, and I quote: ``Let every Nation know that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.'' Mr. Speaker, like many of my colleagues, I am greatly disturbed and saddened by the brutal, violent response of the pro-Jakarta militia and Indonesian military to the overwhelming vote for independence demonstrated by the courageous people of East Timor.”