Annan hails East Timor's progress<\/p>\n
Agence France-Presse, United Nations<\/p>\n
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Monday (Tuesday in
\nJakarta) said East Timor has continued to make progress towards
\nrunning its own affairs as the United Nations' mission there
\nreadies to close down next year.<\/p>\n
In a new report to the UN Security Council, Annan said East
\nTimor -- which attained independence in 2002 -- was advancing in
\npreparations for its first post-independence elections, also set
\nfor next year.<\/p>\n
"The government of Timor-Leste (East Timor) has taken several
\nimportant steps toward reaching a critical threshold of self-
\nsufficiency," Annan said.<\/p>\n
"It has... successfully assumed the responsibility for its
\ninternal and external security, while its public administration,
\nlaw enforcement agencies and armed forces have all continued to
\ndevelop and mature," he said.<\/p>\n
The UN assistance mission in the country is expected to wrap
\nup its work in May 2005.<\/p>\n
In his report, Annan pointed to key work remaining to be done,
\nincluding the demarcation of the land border with Indonesia.
\nIndonesia's Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda said last week he
\nexpected that to be completed by October.<\/p>\n
"While efforts have been made by both sides, progress has not
\nbeen as rapid and conclusive as had been hoped. I urge the
\nleaders of the two countries to make every effort in the coming
\nmonths to finalize their agreement," he said.<\/p>\n
Indonesia annexed the former Portuguese colony in 1976 and
\nreleased its claim only in 1999 after a UN-sponsored ballot
\nshowed an overwhelming majority of its people wanted
\nindependence.<\/p>\n
But pro-Jakarta militias waged a savage campaign against
\nindependence backers before and after the vote. About 1,400
\npeople were killed, according to UN figures, and villages were
\nburnt to the ground.<\/p>\n
UN-funded prosecutors in East Timor have charged 369 people
\nbut around 280 of them live in Indonesia, which has refused to
\nhand anyone over for trial.<\/p>\n
Annan said there had been "significant achievements in
\nprosecuting perpetrators of serious crimes committed in 1999.
\nHowever, many of the indicted persons are still outside Timor-
\nLeste and have not been brought to justice."<\/p>\n
He named Indonesia directly in referring to the acquittal of
\nfour Indonesian security officers earlier this month over the
\nbloodshed.<\/p>\n
"Those responsible for the serious crimes committed in 1999
\nmust be held to account, and it is essential that justice is seen
\nto be done in these cases," Annan said.<\/p>",
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