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DATE=9/8/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CONGRESS-INDONESIA  (L)
NUMBER=2-253606
BYLINE=PAULA WOLFSON
DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 
INTRO:  Members of the U-S Congress are speaking out 
about the crisis in East Timor.  V-O-A's Paula Wolfson 
reports some lawmakers are calling for immediate 
sanctions on Indonesia.
TEXT:  Senator Patrick Leahy says the United States 
must take action now.  He says America and its allies 
need to send a strong message to the Indonesian 
military and the government in Jakarta.
            /// Leahy Act ///
      These are not people who are going to follow the 
      rules no matter what.  And the only thing they 
      understand, ultimately, is that this is going to 
      cost them.
            /// End Act ///
The Vermont Democrat spoke after a meeting in his 
Capitol Hill office with one of the leaders of the 
East Timorese independence movement.  Jose Ramos-Horta 
welcomed the call for sanctions.
            /// Ramos-Horta Act ///
      If Indonesia is not stopped,there will be a 
      genocide, a human catastrophe.
            /// End Act ///
Mr. Ramos-Horta shared the 1996 Nobel Peace Prize for 
his work on behalf of the people of East Timor.  He 
said sanctions should be accompanied by the deployment 
of a peace-keeping force.
            /// Ramos-Horta Act ///
      The West can put an end to it if it supports an 
      international intervention force in East Timor 
      today. 
            /// End Act ///
But there is little support among congressional 
leaders for any new peacekeeping venture involving U-S 
troops.  The top Republican in the Senate - Trent Lott 
of Mississippi - - says he wants to discuss the matter 
with Defense Secretary William Cohen.
            /// Lott Act ///
      At this time, based on what I know, I would not 
      be an advocate of the U-S intervening.  But 
      hopefully, we will support diplomatically and 
      through every other way peace there and the 
      stopping of the killing that has been going on.
            /// End Act ///
The first congressional hearing on the turmoil in East 
Timor is scheduled for later today (Thursday - - 2pm 
edt).  Senior state department officials will be 
questioned by members of the House Asia Subcommittee.  
(Signed)
NEB/PW/TVM/PT
08-Sep-1999 18:03 PM LOC (08-Sep-1999 2203 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.