III 

111TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. RES. 224 

Recognizing the increasingly beneficial relationship between the United States 

and the Republic of Indonesia. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

JULY 24, 2009 

Mr. BOND (for himself and Mr. INOUYE) submitted the following resolution; 

which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations 

RESOLUTION 

Recognizing the increasingly beneficial relationship between 

the United States and the Republic of Indonesia. 

Whereas the historical ties between the United States and the 

Republic of Indonesia began during the struggle of the 

people of Indonesia to become independent and the early 

years of independence beginning in 1945; 

Whereas the constitutionally required ‘‘free and active’’ foreign policy of Indonesia resulted in a close relationship 

with the United States, and this relationship reflects 

growing connections between the developed and the developing world; 

Whereas, following the 1998 financial crisis of Asia, Indonesia instituted numerous democratic reforms, including 

amending the constitution of Indonesia in order to become more democratic and transparent, holding the first 


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•SRES 224 IS 

direct presidential election in 2004, and direct, nationwide local elections beginning in 2006, and giving the judicial branch independent administrative and financial responsibility for all courts in 2004; 

Whereas the administration of President Susilo Bambang 

Yudhoyono, the first President of Indonesia elected directly by the people, is strongly committed to strengthening democracy and remains focused on developing good 

governance and promoting and protecting human rights, 

civil liberties, a free press, and a vibrant civil society; 

Whereas the Government of Indonesia continues to reform 

the military in accordance with internationally accepted 

democratic principles; 

Whereas Indonesia signed a peace agreement in August 2005 

that ended the conflict in Aceh, met its obligations under 

the agreement, oversaw the return of normalcy to Aceh, 

and held free, transparent, and peaceful elections for 

local government leaders in December 2006; 

Whereas the Government of Indonesia continues to work to 

peacefully resolve other internal conflicts, including 

Papua, with concern for the welfare and security of the 

entire population; 

Whereas, following the recovery of economic and political stability in Indonesia after the 1998 Asian financial crisis, 

the country regained a pivotal role in the Association of 

Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and continues to 

work toward a secure, peaceful, and vibrant Southeast 

Asia, particularly by successfully proposing to establish 

the ASEAN Security Community, the ASEAN Economic 

Community, and the ASEAN Socio-cultural Community; 


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•SRES 224 IS 

Whereas the Government and the people of Indonesia endured several terrorist bombings, have shown resilience in 

the fight against international terrorism by apprehending 

and bringing to justice numerous perpetrators, and remain open to international cooperation in this area; 

Whereas the Government of Indonesia, together with the 

Governments of Malaysia and Singapore as fellow littoral 

states and user-countries, maintains and is further 

strengthening efforts to secure the important international shipping lane in the Malacca Strait; 

Whereas, as shown in international fora, the Government of 

Indonesia remains committed to addressing the problems 

related to the control of the spread of weapons of mass 

destruction; 

Whereas the Government of Indonesia deployed a military 

battalion to support the peacekeeping operations of the 

United Nations Interim Force In Lebanon, and as the 

largest Muslim democracy in the world, has helped facilitate dialogue among many Islamic factions in the Middle 

East; and 

Whereas, though the Government of Indonesia has shown significant progress in the areas of democracy, good governance, human rights, and counterterrorism, there remains 

much to be done and many reforms yet to be implemented: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) recognizes the progress made by the Gov3 ernment of Indonesia in promoting democracy; 

4 (2) expresses ongoing support for further demo5 cratic reform in Indonesia and the efforts of the 


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•SRES 224 IS 

1 Government and the people of Indonesia toward de2 veloping good governance; 

3 (3) encourages the Government and the people 

4 of Indonesia to continue working to promote and 

5 protect human rights, civil liberties, a free press, 

6 and a strong civil society in Indonesia; and 

7 (4) encourages the President, the Secretary of 

8 State, and other officials of the United States Gov9 ernment to continue assisting the Government of In10 donesia in promoting democracy and ensuring the 

11 liberty and welfare of the people of Indonesia. 

Æ 


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