Summary: EU Presidency Statement - Security Council Public Meeting on Timor-Leste (New York, 13 June 2006)
United Nations Security Council Public Meeting on Timor-Leste; Statement by Ambassador Gerhard Pfanzelter, Permanent Representative of Austria to the United Nations, on behalf of the European Union.
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union. The Acceding Countries Bulgaria and Romania, the Candidate Countries Turkey, Croatia* and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia*, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia, and the EFTA countries Iceland and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, as well as Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova align themselves with this statement.
Just one month after the last public meeting on Timor-Leste in the Security Council, we are again meeting today after the serious incidents that occurred in the last weeks. We have listened well to the interventions by Ambassador José Luís Guterres and Mr. Ian Martin, the Secretary-General's Special Envoy, and would like to thank both for their very informative briefings and their frank assessment of the situation.
The European Union is very concerned about the security situation in Timor-Leste. There can be no doubt that the escalation of events in the last two months has created a highly volatile security situation, which endangers the achievements that Timor-Leste has made in the few years since regaining its independence. The EU calls on all parties involved to refrain from any further violence and to contribute towards re-establishing public order. The EU also calls on relevant actors from all sides
to engage in dialogue to find a solution to the current crisis and its underlying problems,. We applaud the leadership of Timor-Leste for their decision to ask for help in trying to contain the situation. The EU commends the countries who were asked for help - Portugal, Australia, Malaysia and New Zealand - for their quick reaction to this appeal and for their commitment to help restore law and order and support Timor-Leste in this difficult phase.
Mr. President,
Events in the last two months have, unfortunately, revealed a serious political crisis and shortcomings in the approach to security sector reform in Timor-Leste leading to the recent riots. Now - after the confrontation between different parts of the security sector and the looting of equipment, including weapons - a lot more work will need to be done. Most importantly, of course, the issues and grievances that led to the current crisis will have to be addressed in a comprehensive manner so
that political reconciliation can take place, as a necessary precondition for continuing the process of nation-building and for the holding of the 2007 elections. At the same time, we should not forget that there are sectors of the administration in Timor-Leste that had successfully taken up the provision of state services prior to the recent riots and whose functioning has been interrupted. These parts of the administration must be enabled to again take up their vital functions.
At a time when the mandate of the current UN operation UNOTIL is under scrutiny and up for renewal, it is therefore necessary to examine the future role of the UN in Timor-Leste. It is clear to the EU that an international security presence will also have to remain in the country for some time to provide security and stability. The role of the UN will have to be strong in order to promote and facilitate the process of political reconciliation to heal the divisions that have become apparent, to
uphold law and order , and to redouble international efforts in capacity building for the administration in Timor-Leste. In the light of recent events, the holding in 2007 of presidential and parliamentary elections is a formidable challenge. International support for the election process will be crucial for its success and, indeed, for the consolidation of democracy in the country. Concerning the form that the future UN mission might take, the wishes of the government and the assessment of the
Secretary-General's Special Envoy should be among the guiding principles and will have to be closely taken into account. In this regard, it will be important that the UN and the International Community at large are enabled to finish the work that they will come to undertake.
Since 1999, the European Union and its member states have been reliable development partners for Timor-Leste. Under the current circumstances, the continued strong support of the International Community is - more than ever before - essential for the long-term economic development of the country. In this regard, just last Friday an agreement was signed between the European Commission and the government alloting 18 mio. EURO to economic and democratic development projects in the near future. A
further 63 mio. EURO in financial aid have been earmarked for the period 2008 to 2013. We are thus continuing to honour our commitment to help Timor-Leste in this field. The EU is also engaged in the field of humanitarian assistance, with the European Commission redirecting ongoing humanitarian programs and preparing a Funding Decision to swiftly address the emergency needs of more than 100.000 IDPs in and around Dili. Furthermore, the EU is ready to consider stabilization measures under the
Commission's Rapid Reaction Mechanism.
Mr. President,
Timor-Leste is going through a particularly difficult period in its short era as an independent country. The UN was instrumental in helping the people of Timor-Leste regain their independence and start building their nation. We must do everything in our power to secure this investment and strengthen the fragile democracy in Timor-Leste. The UN must heed their call for help and assistance in times of crisis.
Thank you.
*Croatia and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.
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