Political Quotes

“today's rule on the FY99 DOD Authorization Act does not include my amendment which would have barred U.S. special forces training of the Indonesian Military in FY99. I am gravely disappointed that the Rules Committee did not see fit to allow the House to consider this issue at such an important juncture in our nation's policy toward Indonesia. Today, Indonesia is entrenched in an unprecedented political and economic crisis. Recent reports of student deaths at the hands of Indonesian police opening fire on demonstrations is just one example of the violence and terror that have become routine within the Suharto regime. This type of repression is just the latest chapter in the Suharto regimes' transgressions against its own people. No where is that more apparent than in the conduct of the Indonesian military. The use of the Indonesian military in the intimidation, torture and murder of both Indonesians and the citizens of East Timor is widespread, documented and undisputed. The brutal massacre of over 270 peaceful demonstrators in an East Timor cemetery by the Indonesian Military at the beginning of this decade led Congress to ban U.S. taxpayer funded IMET training in 1992. Despite this strong indication by Congress to stop assistance to the Indonesian Military, the Department of Defense continues to provide assistance through the Joint Combined Exchange and Training program.”