Patrick Kennedy: “In 1996, I traveled to East Timor. I went to Dili, and I saw the spot where hundreds lost their lives in the famous…”

“In 1996, I traveled to East Timor. I went to Dili, and I saw the spot where hundreds lost their lives in the famous Santa Cruz cemetery massacre. Unfortunately, the tragedy of that massacre is occurring again today as we speak. In 1996, I met with Nobel peace laureate Bishop Belo in his home. Now that home has been burned down, destroyed, by paramilitaries that are rampant in the region. Even nuns and priests and other religious leaders have been killed over the past week. It is time that we end this violence and take a real stand. The people of East Timor took a courageous stand themselves just a few weeks ago when they voted for independence. We owe them, these people desperate for freedom and democracy, a chance for peace. Last week, I introduced legislation to show further support for the Timorese that calls for the suspension of financial and military assistance to Indonesia and a call for peacekeeping troops. The situation is critical. There is no time to wait. The lives of thousands are in the balance.”