Since invading East Timor in 1975, Indonesia has killed an
estimated 200,000 people, out of a population of close to 700,000,
with the weapons and acquiescence of the United States. On May 15,
1992, Representative Tony Hall (D-OH) introduced a bill H.R. 5176,
to promote self-determination and human rights for the people of
East Timor. Cosponsors of the bill are Thomas Downey (D-NY),
Ronald Machtley (R-RI), Joseph Moakley (D-MA), and Barney Frank
(D-MA).
The bill would apply several kinds of sanctions against Indonesia.
Security assistance and bilateral economic assistance would be
suspended, except for specific categories of humanitarian
assistance. Arms sales would be suspended. The US representative
to the World Bank would be required to oppose loans to Indonesia.
Preferential tariffs that Indonesia receives under the Generalized
System of Preferences would be suspended.
Aid and arms sales could not be restored unless the President
certified that international observers are permitted access to
East Timor, international human rights organizations report that
Indonesian security forces have ended all forms of inhumane
treatment, Indonesia has implemented UN resolutions which call for
Indonesia to withdraw from East Timor, and Indonesia allows an
internationally supervised referendum on self-determination.
Please write or call your Representatives to co-sponsor H.R. 5176,
and your Senators to introduce a companion bill in the Senate. In
addition to calling and writing yourself, ask other people to do
likewise, request meetings with your representatives, and go to
"town meetings" and election campaign events to bring up East
Timor. The Congressional switchboard is (202)224-3121. Addresses
are US House of Representatives, Washington DC 20515; and US
Senate Washington, DC 20510.
Although you should always contact your own representatives, those
on certain subcommittees are especially critical. These
subcommittees include the Asian and Pacific Affairs Subcommittee
of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and the Trade Subcommittee
of the House Ways and Means Committee. Lists of the subcommittees
and additional information about US aid to Indonesia are available
in the East Timor Congressional Action Fact Sheet available from
the East Timor Action Network.
ETAN, PO Box 1182, White Plains, NY 10602
(914)428-7299 fax(914)428-7383
CSCHEINER@IGC.ORG or FBP@IGC.ORG
Sample letter to Congress
The Honorable David R. Obey
US House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Congressman Obey:
Since invading East Timor in 1975, Indonesia has killed an
estimated 200,000 people, out of a population of close to 700,000,
with the weapons and acquiescence of the United States. Although
the UN Security Council has passed resolutions requiring Indonesia
to withdraw from East Timor, little action has been taken to
enforce the resolutions, in contrast to the Iraqi invasion of
Kuwait. The Bush administration recently blocked a resolution in
the UN Human Rights Commission condemning Indonesia for a massacre
witnessed by two US journalists.
H.R. 5176 has been introduced by Rep. Tony Hall with bipartisan
support, to terminate US assistance and arms sales to Indonesia
until Indonesia implements the Security Council Resolutions and
holds a referendum on self-determination. I am writing to ask you
to co-sponsor H.R. 5176. This is a way to save taxpayers' money
and support human rights at the same time. I hope that you agree
that the rule of law must be respected in international affairs.
Sincerely,