Kamis, 14 September 2006

Wexler Reaffirms Indonesian President Yudhoyono’s Nomination for Nobel Peace Prize

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 14, 2006

Contact: Lale Mamaux
Phone: (202)225-3001


Wexler Reaffirms Indonesian President Yudhoyono’s Nomination for Nobel Peace Prize

Sends Second Letter Praising Yudhoyono’s Role as a Peacemaker in Resolving the Aceh Conflict and his Unwavering Commitment to Indonesia’s Democracy.

(Washington, D.C.) Today, Congressman Robert Wexler (D-FL), a senior member of the House International Relations Committee and Co-Chairman of the Congressional Indonesia Caucus, sent the following letter to the Norwegian Nobel Committee reaffirming his support for the nomination of the President of Indonesia Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono for the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize. On January 25, 2006, Wexler wrote to the Norwegian Nobel Committee nominating President Yudhoyono for his achievements in brokering an historic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that was signed on August 25, 2005, thus ending a separatist conflict that has prevailed for almost thirty years between the Government of Indonesia (GOI) and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM). Despite the devastating tsunami of 2004 and the outbreak of the Avian Bird Flu, President Yudhoyono and his government have remained firmly committed to addressing the political, economic and humanitarian needs of their nation, including working towards a resolution of long-standing armed conflicts. In August, Wexler traveled to the Indonesian province of Aceh where he saw firsthand the extraordinary progress made by President Yudhoyono and his government to implement the agreement signed between the GOI and GAM.

The Nobel Peace Prize is the first international award given yearly since 1901 for achievements in peace, literature, medicine, physiology, chemistry and physics. The Norwegian Nobel Committee is responsible for selecting the candidates and choosing the winners for the Peace Prize. The Nobel Committee is comprised of five members appointed by the Norwegian Parliament. The Committee’s decision is announced and published on its web site (www.nobelprize.org) immediately after the vote in mid-October each year. (Please find a copy of Congressman Wexler’s letter sent to The Norwegian Nobel Committee below).


The Norwegian Nobel Committee
Drammensveien 19
NO-0255 OSLO
Norway

Dear Norwegian Nobel Committee Members:

In January, I proudly nominated Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono for the Nobel Prize for Peace for 2006, based on his central role in achieving a comprehensive peace agreement with the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) following the tsunami of 2004. I am writing today to re-emphasize wholeheartedly my strongest belief that there is no candidate more deserving of this award during this tumultuous year than President Yudhoyono.

As the first directly elected president of the Republic of Indonesia, the history surrounding President Yudhoyono’s ascension to his current position is well known internationally. Dedicated to strengthening his nation’s democracy and with an unwavering commitment to ensuring the rights and freedoms of all Indonesians, President Yudhoyono was able to broker a dramatic peace agreement shortly after being elected. This historic achievement speaks volumes to President Yudhoyono’s character and the magnitude of the agreement, which ended a deadly conflict that went on for nearly 30 years.

When I previously submitted the nomination of President Yudhoyono to the Nobel Committee, I did so based on the accomplishment of reaching an agreement that was internationally recognized for its even-handedness. At that time, I could only speculate as to the potential success of the agreement, or to its staying power. Today, however, nearly nine months after my initial submission, I am pleased to report that not only has the agreement held strong, but the region of Aceh is thriving despite numerous obstacles.

This past year saw preparations for a series of legislative elections for local officials, demonstrating that -- in the absence of armed conflict -- the spirit of democratic participation has taken root in Aceh. Furthermore, with international assistance, the economy of Aceh is being revived, and former militants are returning to their communities and taking on new communal roles and responsibilities.

I recently visited Aceh and witnessed firsthand the great strides made there in the aftermath of the peace agreement. However, I do not base my confidence in President Yudhoyono and the peace agreement on my observations alone. Recently, the European Union, who has placed peacekeeping monitors in Aceh to witness the party’s observance of the agreement, announced a decision to withdraw their monitors in December, as they are no longer needed to ensure adherence to the agreement. This important and exciting development reflects the commitment on both sides of the agreement to ensure a peaceful and prosperous future for Aceh.

In resolving the dispute in Aceh, President Yudhoyono fulfilled many of the criteria of the prize selection committee. He helped resolve a long-standing armed conflict through a negotiated agreement that incorporates both arms control and disarmament measures. Furthermore, he helped restore to the citizens of the province of Aceh their human and political rights for representation in governance. President Yudhoyono’s initiative in pursuing and reaching a comprehensive agreement to bring lasting peace to Aceh has been acknowledged by the unanimous passage of United States House of Representatives Resolution 456 -- expressing support for the peace agreement.

Unfortunately this past year has not been kind to the cause of world peace as we have witnessed numerous armed conflicts and acts of hatred across the globe. In this year of great turbulence, President Yudhoyono’s achievement stands as a shining example of success in forging a monumental compromise to achieve meaningful and lasting peace.

President Yudhoyono has shown himself to be a true reformer and campaigner for peace and prosperity for all Indonesians, and as such, it is my opinion that he is especially worthy of the Nobel Prize Committee’s consideration. Awarding the Nobel Prize for Peace to President Yudhoyono will send an unequivocal message that the international community recognizes and supports those individuals who pursue a path of peace and reconciliation over those who pursue their aims through military means.

Your consideration of my request is greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,


Robert Wexler


Congressman Wexler is a senior member of the House International Relations Committee and is a member of the House Judiciary Committee.