Nita Lowey: “On August 30 the world watched as the people of East Timor exercised their right to self-determination for the first…”

“On August 30 the world watched as the people of East Timor exercised their right to self-determination for the first time with nearly full participation of eligible voters; and by a staggering margin, the East Timorese chose independence from Indonesia over autonomy within it. This courage has been rewarded with the destruction of East Timor, the displacement of its people, the inaction of the Indonesian government. Since the election, hundreds have died; and nearly one-quarter of the East Timorese have been forced to flee their homes. Indonesian officials have done nothing to stop the violence and to protect the U.N. personnel there. For the people of East Timor time is running out. We must do our part to stop the horror; we must pledge logistical support to an armed peacekeeping force to restore order in East Timor. Until order is restored, all bilateral nonhumanitarian assistance to Indonesia should be suspended; and we should use our leverage in international financial institutions to cut off multilateral assistance. We should advocate in the U.N. Security Council punitive measures against Indonesia if Habibie fails to cooperate. As the champion of democracy, our voice should be the loudest.”