Summary: May 18, 2001: Security Council Open meeting on East Timor. Statement by Ambassador Pierre Schori, Permanent Representative of Sweden on behalf of the European Union (New York)
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union. The Central and Eastern European countries associated with the European Union, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, and the Associated countries, Cyprus, Malta, Turkey, as well as the EFTA countries members of the EEA, Iceland, Liechtenstein, align themselves with this statement.
First of all I should like to thank ASG Hédi Annabi for his briefing and also welcome the presence here today of Mr Xanana Gusmão and Dr José Ramos Horta.
Mr. President,
The EU welcomes the progress which UNTAET has made during the last couple of months in the implementation of its mandate, as described in the interim report of the Secretary-General. The EU fully supports the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr Sérgio Vieira de Mello, in his efforts to ensure full implementation of Security Council resolutions 1272 and 1338. Our common objective of early independence for East Timor has come decidedly closer. At the same time, we note that it is
important that the international community maintain its support to East Timor after independence, including through a substantial presence as stressed in resolution 1338. In this respect, the EU supports the Security Council's request for further information by the end of July as contained in resolution 1338.
Mr. President,
As the Secretary-General points out, the main political step of East Timor's transition to independence during the past three months is the adoption of a regulation on the establishment of a Constituent Assembly. The EU remains committed to the success of the East Timorese transition to independence and supports the electoral timetable, while noting the Secretary-General's observation that the timetable is tight. A lot of work remains to be done to ensure a smooth transition process. The
European Union will support the electoral process in the area of election monitoring as well as civic education.
The European Union is satisfied to hear that measures are being carried out by UNTAET in order to secure a broad public participation in the constitutional development process, through the civic education programme, and believes that these civic educators could play an important role in the construction of an independent East Timor. The European Union encourages UNTAET to continue these efforts in order to facilitate the early adoption of the constitution as soon as appropriate after the
elections, according to the schedule envisaged by the UN. The EU also welcomes the voter education programme that is being carried out.
Mr. President,
The EU is concerned about the rather slow pace in the "Timorization" process. Recruitment and capacity-building efforts need to be strengthened in all governance areas and also at district level in order to ensure the good governance of the country, once full independence is reached. The EU would appreciate to hear the Secretariat's assessment of the progress in this field.
To create conditions for sustainable economic and social development in an independent East Timor is vital. More attention should be given to fiscal sustainability as well as further efforts to the development of agriculture, the backbone of the East Timorese economy, and the importance of employment-generating policies. The EU welcomes the progress that has been made in the negotiations on the Timor Gap.
Mr. President,
The EU remains seriously concerned about the unresolved issue of the armed militias and the high number of East Timorese refugees remaining in camps in West Timor, and its implications on the security situation in East Timor. While the EU welcomes efforts by Indonesia to improve relations with East Timor, we call on the Government of Indonesia to implement all measures called upon by the Security Council in resolution 1319.
Given the continued threat of militia activities, the EU notes the Secretary-General's assessment on the need to maintain a military component essentially in its present form until more detailed reports on developments in the security situation are available from the Secretary-General. It is also important that the international community supports the build-up of the East Timor Defence Force.
The EU welcomes the progress made so far in the development and training of the Timor Lorasa'e Police Service, and hopes that this work will be intensified. Furthermore, continued presence of international civil police is important until the Timor Lorasa'e Police Service is operational.
The EU is concerned by reports about women abducted from East Timor during the conflict some of whom are allegedly held in conditions of sexual slavery in West Timor. The EU believes it is important to investigate this matter and would appreciate further information from the secretariat.
Mr. President,
The Union notes with satisfaction the efforts so far made by UNTAET, UNHCR, IOM and other relevant parties aiming at increasing the number of refugees returning to East Timor. But clearly more needs to be done in order to reach a prompt and comprehensive solution. The EU is seriously concerned that those wanting to return may not do so in time to vote in the elections to the Constituent Assembly in August. We urge the Government of Indonesia to finalise and to implement its "Global Plan" for
the repatriation and resettlement of refugees without further delay. The EU would like UNTAET, UNHCR, IOM and other relevant parties to give their views on this issue. The EU will follow with interest the forthcoming mission of UNSECOORD to West Timor.
A final settlement regarding the issue of payment of pensions to former Indonesian state employees, in line with the conclusion in the Secretary-General's report, would most probably give a significant contribution to increasing the rate of return of refugees. The European Union urges the Government of Indonesia to work together with UNTAET towards this aim.
Mr. President,
During the Security Council debate in January, the EU welcomed the improvements of the judicial system in East Timor and the first measures that had been taken against persons accused of crimes against humanity and other serious crimes committed during the violence in 1999. The Union also welcomed the steps taken by Indonesia to investigate fully the violations of human rights and international humanitarian law perpetrated in East Timor in 1999. It is however very disappointing that the
jurisdiction of the ad hoc human rights tribunal that was established for this purpose will be limited to acts committed after the popular consultation on 30 August 1999, thus excluding several serious crimes. The Union expects that Indonesia will co-operate with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights as well as UNTAET, in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding, to assure that violations of human rights and international humanitarian law in East Timor during 1999 will be
prosecuted.
The EU has already expressed its deep disappointment with the judgements on 4 May to six men in connection with the killings on 6 September 2000 of three international staff members of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Atambua, West Timor. The Union fully shares the views of the Secretary-General, as expressed in his statement on 4 May. The brutality of the murders does not seem to be commensurately reflected in the judgements. They represent a strike against the
efforts to ensure the safety and security of all UN and humanitarian personnel. The EU welcomes the decision by the prosecutor to appeal the judgements. It is our expectation that the appeals court will honour the commitment of Indonesia in the United Nations Commission on Human Rights that the murders in Atambua be dealt with in conformity with international standards of justice and fairness.
Mr. President,
The EU welcomes the working group on post-UNTAET planning, established by SRSG de Mello, as well as the establishment of an integrated mission task force at Headquarters. The EU notes the Secretary-General's views on the need for a significant international presence after independence, and is looking forward to further recommendations in his next report. We would like to stress the need to carefully design such a follow-on mission and the priorities of the international presence. I have already
touched upon some factors that are of vital importance in this work, inter alia, promoting economic rehabilitation and intensifying efforts to strengthen capacity-building.
Thank you, Mr. President.
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