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A Letter from Members of Congress of the United States
to the President of Indonesia  
(original fax copy)
Text Version

Congress of the United States
Washington DC 20515
July 27, 2000

His Excellency Abdurrachman Wahid
President The Republic of Indonesia
Jakarta Indonesia

Dear Mr. President

We are writing to request your intervention in the Malukus to bring an end to widespread violence and killings throughout a number of communities in that area. We are deeply disturbed by the daily reports about increased massacres, the kipnapping of women and children, the continue shipment of arms, and the declarations of "Jihad"against the inhabitants of these islands. We appreciate the goverment's efforts and their positive effects in the Northern Malukus, but are concerned about the worsening of the situation in Ambon.

In the light of reports that over 2,500 individuals have been killed over the last 18 months, recent reports stating that the death toll is rising daily, and reliable accounts of thousands of refugees without access to adequate water, food and medicine, it seems vital that the Goverment of Indonesia promptly intervene in the situation to bring an end to the killing and torestore peace and tolerance to communities that have a long history of peaceful relations between thos of different religious faiths. When a recent delegation traveled to Indonesia and met you, Mr. President, you mentioned that you were commited to stopping any new arrivals of weapons and Jihad fighters to the Islands, but also removing the arms and men currently waging war against the people. Unfortunately, despite your sincere commitment, accounts reveal that teh figthers and their weapons continue to flood the Islands and then traffic of men and arms has actually increased. In addition, local residents deeply mistrust the military personnel in that area as reports show those particular individuals stationed in the malukus have actually contributed to the violence by taken sides in the various outbreaks of violence.

Mr. President, we respectfully request you intervention in this terrible situation. The transfer of the army personnel stationed in that area and the arrival of new troops might assist in bringing peace and stopping the current military contribution to the escalation of violence. In addition ensuring that any provacteurs and masterminds of the situation are brought swittly and thoroughly to justice, including those members of the Jihad, will reflect your goverment's dedication to rule of law. Reliable report from both Moslim and Christian organizations have raised concerns that applying a state of civil emergency to the Islands under the existing military personnel could lead to continued bloodshed because personnel have taken sides in the violence.

Furthermore, opening the area to outside observers and international humanitarian aid organizations will assist with transparency and accountability in the establishment of stability and peace in the Malukus.

Thank you for your leadership and for your immediate attention to this serious international issue. We look forward to hearing from you and working with you.

Sincerely,

 

Joseph R. Pitts
Member of Congress

Bob Clement
Member of Congress

Donald A. Manzullo
Member of Congress

 

 

 

Christhoper H. Smith
Member of Congress

Nick J. Rahall, II
Member of Congress

Stephen Horn
Member of Congress

 

 

 

Dana Rohrabacher
Member of Congress

John Edward Porter
Member of Congress

Ron Lewis
Member of Congress

 

 

 

James A. Leach
Member of Congress

Peter A. DeFagio
Member of Congress

Frank R. Wolf
Member of Congress


Cc:
The Honorable William J. Clinton, President
Her Excellency Megawati Soekarnoputri, Vice President of Indonesia
His Excellency Admiral Widodo, Commander in Chief of the Indonesian Armed Services

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