Representative Price Leads HDAC CODEL to South Asia

A congressional delegation from the House Democracy Assistance Commission (HDAC) met with parliamentary counterparts from Mongolia, Indonesia and Timor-Leste during an 11-day mission from June 26 to July 6, 2009. Led by HDAC Chairman David Price (D-NC), the six-Member delegation included Reps. Jim McDermott (D-WA), Jim Cooper (D-TN), Bob Etheridge (D-NC), Vern Buchanan (R-FL.) and Phil Gingrey (R-GA.). This was the 15th congressional delegation authorized by HDAC.

On its way to work with partner parliaments in Asia, the delegation stopped in Budapest, Hungary, on June 27 to represent the United States and deliver a statement from President Obama at ceremonies marking the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Iron Curtain. In a speech in the Hungarian parliament building, Chairman Price noted that the Commission endeavors to help other countries emulate Hungary's exemplary transition from dictatorship to democracy.

In Mongolia on June 29 and 30, the delegation met with members of the State Great Hural, the Commission's first visit to Mongolia since July 2007. The establishment of a research service in the Hural in January 2009 provides the Commission with an opportunity to assist in its development, and three specialists from the Congressional Research Service accompanied the delegation to all three countries. The importance of legislative research was a key theme for the delegation in its meeting with Speaker Demberel and in a kickoff event for MPs and staff. Other sessions addressed the role of parties in the legislature, and the work of committees, particularly those involved in defense and security, ethics, extractive resources and budgeting. The delegation concluded its visit with meetings with President Elbegdorj and Prime Minister Bayar.

Coming in the wake of April elections, the July 1 visit to Jakarta was an opportunity for a final meeting with the outgoing parliament. The delegation met with Speaker Agung Laksono and with MPs on the ad hoc committee that was considering a reformist political law. The Commission was updated by the committee chairwoman on the reform legislation, which for the first time gives the parliament the power to select its own staff and to set and manage its own budget. The delegation also discussed foreign policy with the foreign affairs committee and met with the minister of defense.

The delegation's visit to Timor-Leste from July 2 to 4 was the first by HDAC Members since February 2006. Members visited the parliamentary library that was funded by HDAC and designed by the Library of Congress, and they met with dozens of Timorese MPs to discuss the importance of independent research and committee operations, particularly those that oversee the security forces and the budget. The delegation met with President Jose Ramos Horta, opposition leader Mari Alkatiri, and Speaker Fernando Lasama de Araujo. Members were guests of honor at the U.S. Embassy's Independence Day celebration, and they visited the provincial center of Maubisse, where they met with local MPs and municipal leaders at a town hall meeting.