IV

106TH CONGRESS

1ST SESSION H. RES. 32

Expressing support for, and calling for actions in support of, free, fair,

and transparent elections in Indonesia.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

FEBRUARY 2, 1999

Mr. BEREUTER (for himself, Mr. KOLBE, Mr. MORAN of Virginia, Mr.

BLUMENAUER, Mrs. MORELLA, Mr. WELLER, and Mr. KUYKENDALL)

submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee

on International Relations

RESOLUTION

Expressing support for, and calling for actions in support

of, free, fair, and transparent elections in Indonesia.

Whereas Indonesia is the world’s fourth most populous country, has the world’s largest Muslim population, and has

repeatedly demonstrated itself to be a good friend of the

United States;

Whereas a stable and democratic Indonesia can continue to

play an important leadership role in the security and stability of Southeast Asia;

Whereas Indonesian national elections in 1955 were judged

to be free and fair, but more recent elections have been

far more problematic;
2

•HRES 32 IH

Whereas in response to overwhelming public demand, longtime leader (32 years) Soeharto resigned on May 21,

1998;

Whereas elections for the House of Representatives of Indonesia (DPR) have been scheduled for June 7, 1999;

Whereas it is in the interests of all Indonesians and friends

of Indonesia that the June 1999 elections be free, fair,

and transparent;

Whereas the Government of Indonesia has welcomed international interest and technical support for the elections,

under the coordination of the United Nations Development Program;

Whereas United States and international nongovernmental

organizations such as the National Democratic Institute

for International Affairs (NDI), the Asia Foundation, the

International Republican Institute (IRI), the International Foundation for Election Systems (IFES), and

the American Center for International Labor Solidarity

(ACILS) are providing election assistance throughout Indonesia; and

Whereas the active participation in election monitoring by the

international community, including the United States

Congress, would contribute meaningfully to the Indonesian election: Now, therefore, be it

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives—

2 (1) supports the aspirations of the Indonesian

3 people for democratic elections;

4 (2) urges the Government of Indonesia to take

5 all steps, including the provision of adequate finan6 cial and administrative resources, to ensure that the
3

•HRES 32 IH

1 parliamentary elections scheduled for June 7, 1999,

2 are free, fair, and transparent, according to inter3 nationally recognized standards, and that an institu4 tional capacity is put in place for free and fair elec5 tions in the future;

6 (3) calls upon the Government of Indonesia to

7 enact election laws that ensure that the will of the

8 people is respected, both in the parliamentary elec9 tions scheduled for June 7 and in the general ses10 sion of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR)

11 that will elect a new President and Vice President

12 later in 1999;

13 (4) appeals to all political leaders and respon14 sible persons to strive to ensure that the campaign

15 period remains peaceful;

16 (5) calls upon all Indonesian political parties,

17 the armed forces, and the pubic at large to respect

18 the results of free and fair elections;

19 (6) recognizes with approval the activities of do20 mestic and international nongovernmental organiza21 tions in the areas of voter education, technical as22 sistance, and election monitoring;

23 (7) acknowledges the important financial sup24 port provided by the United States Agency for Inter25 national Development for the elections;
4

•HRES 32 IH

1 (8) calls upon other countries to provide finan2 cial support for the elections as well; and

3 (9) urges the Speaker and minority leader of

4 the House of Representatives to designate congres5 sional observers for the June 7, 1999, election.

Æ