U.S. Representative Allyson Y. Schwartz
Representing the 13th Congressional District of Pennsylvania
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 18, 2006
Reps Call on U.S. to Support Robust UN Mission for ET
U.S. Representative Schwartz Calls on Secretary of State Rice to Support Robust United Nations Mission to East Timor
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Representative Allyson Y. Schwartz, joined by 44 of her congressional colleagues, called upon
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to support a robust United Nations mission to East Timor, where violence has caused
civil unrest over the past several months.
Located in Southeast Asia near Indonesia, East Timor voted for independence from Indonesia in 1999. Following the vote,
militias backed by elements of the Indonesian military ravaged the country. The United Nations and the international
community played an instrumental role in helping East Timor restore order and move toward stability and democracy.
However, as the United Nations has rapidly scaled back its mission post-independence, serious problems within East
Timor’s police and military infrastructure have been exposed. These problems, in part, contributed to the outbreak of
violence in March between disgruntled soldiers and government troops. The recent clashes have led to the dislocation of
more than 100,000 civilians – the worst violence since 1999.
As an appointed member of the bipartisan House Democracy Assistance Commission, Representative Schwartz traveled to East
Timor in February 2006. This trip marked the first-ever congressional delegation visit to the nation, and was seen by
many as an important step in helping to strengthen democracy in East Timor. During the visit to East Timor, Schwartz,
along with other members of the congressional delegation, provided assistance to members of the parliament on how to
structure an accountable and transparent government.
“I saw firsthand East Timor’s potential to thrive as a democracy, and I believe strongly that the United Nations has a
responsibility to assist East Timor at this critical juncture. It is paramount that the United Nations play an active
role in East Timor, with both a significant police and peacekeeping presence, in order to ensure that the country
continues to move forward on a path towards democracy, stability, and self-sustainability,” said Rep. Schwartz.
A full copy of the letter sent to Secretary Rice follows below.
July 17, 2006
The Honorable Dr. Condoleezza Rice Secretary of State
U.S. Department of State 2201 C Street NW Washington, DC 20520
Dear Madam Secretary:
We have been watching the violence that has ensued in East Timor with a great deal of concern. Just months ago, East
Timor was viewed as a model for international nation-building. However, today, the progress East Timor has made as a
young democracy is under serious threat. The United Nations Security Council recently voted to renew its political
mission in East Timor, and U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan has indicated that the return of peacekeeping forces is
under consideration. At this crucial juncture, we urge you to support a robust United Nations mission that includes a
significant police and peacekeeping presence - with all foreign troops under UN command - to ensure that East Timor
continues to make progress on the path to democracy, stability, and self-sustainability. The East Timorese government
has requested such a robust mission.
As you know, following East Timor’s vote for independence from Indonesia in 1999, militias backed by elements of the
Indonesian military ravaged the country. Yet East Timor - with significant support from the United Nations and
international community - was able to restore order and has made substantial strides toward stability and democracy as
evidenced by a United Nations report stating that East Timor has “made remarkable progress in laying the foundations for
a functioning civil society.” Additionally, an agreement with the Australian government on shared revenues from offshore
oil and gas fields is beginning to provide critical funds to the government and in February 2006 members of the U.S.
House of Representatives Democracy Assistance Commission visited East Timor to provide advice on structuring an
accountable and transparent government.
However, much work remains and as the United Nations has rapidly scaled back its mission post-independence, serious
problems within East Timor’s police and military infrastructure have been exposed. The recent violence is an indication
that the United Nations cannot draw-down its presence precipitously, and that it must continue to play a critical
nation-building role - assisting East Timor with its efforts to consolidate and expand on the gains it has made.
Therefore, we respectfully request that U.N. Ambassador Bolton strongly support a United Nations mission to help
maintain order and provide support at least through next year’s crucial parliamentary and presidential elections. This
mission should focus on enhanced police assistance and training to prevent violence. Additionally, a United Nations
mission should help East Timor address the deeply-rooted poverty and unemployment that plagues the nation; build strong
public institutions that will ensure a stable and lasting democracy and promote rule of law; bring justice and
reconciliation for crimes against humanity committed during the Indonesian military occupation; and investigate the
recent criminal violence.
Supporting the development of strong and self-sustaining democracies throughout the world is a vital component of U.S.
foreign policy. In this case, this goal would be best advanced by supporting a robust United Nations mission working in
cooperation with a sovereign East Timorese government. We thank you for your attention and we look forward to working
with you on this matter.
Sincerely,
Rep. Allyson Y. Schwartz
Rep. Patrick Kennedy
Rep. Lois Capps
Rep. Adam Schiff
Rep. Tom Lantos
Rep. Chris Smith
Rep. Tammy Baldwin
Rep. Betty McCollum
Rep. Jim McGovern
Rep. Howard Berman
Rep. Jim Oberstar
Rep. Nancy Pelosi
Rep. Ed Towns
Rep. Mike McNulty
Rep. Barney Frank
Rep. Eliot Engel
Rep. David Price
Rep. Donald Payne
Rep. Joe Crowley
Rep. Sam Farr
Rep. Earl Blumenauer
Rep. Nita Lowey
Rep. Michael Honda
Rep. Edward J. Markey
Rep. Joseph R. Pitts
Rep. Tim Bishop
Rep. Jim McDermott
Rep. Michael Capuano
Rep. Eni F.H. Faleomavenega
Rep. Raul Grijalva
Rep. James R. Langevin
Rep. Carolyn Maloney
Rep. Zoe Lofgren
Rep. Jose E. Serrano
Rep. Henry Waxman
Rep. Maurice Hinchey
Rep. Robert Wexler
Rep. James P. Moran
Rep. Sherrod Brown
Rep. Dennis Kucinich
Rep. Dale E. Kildee
Rep. Janice D. Schakowsky
Rep. Barbara Lee
Rep. Ellen Tauscher
Rep. Chaka Fattah
cc: Ambassador John R. Bolton