Russ Feingold: “I rise today, along with a number of my colleagues, to introduce a bill in response to the ongoing violence in East…”

“I rise today, along with a number of my colleagues, to introduce a bill in response to the ongoing violence in East Timor. I am outraged at what is going on in East Timor today. The Indonesian government clearly has not lived up to its commitment to maintain security following the recent referendum. In fact it is openly supporting the militia violence against the majority of East Timorese, who have made clear their desire for an independent East Timor. If the Indonesian government cannot, or will not, maintain peace, I believe an international peacekeeping mission is the best option. The United States and the rest of the international community must exercise any and all leverage it has with the Indonesians to allow for this contingency. In addition, the United States provides a great deal of economic and military assistance to Indonesia. If the Indonesian government does not take steps to stop the violence occurring in East Timor, we should suspend these benefits.”