UN secretary-general urges financial support for E. Timor<\/p>\n
Associated Press, United Nations<\/p>\n
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan called for continued
\nfinancial support for East Timor to ensure its success as an
\nindependent nation.<\/p>\n
In a report to the Security Council on Monday, Annan
\nrecommended that UN peacekeepers remain in East Timor until
\nindependence on May 20 and said a follow-up peacekeeping
\noperation is essential to ensure the stability of the new
\ngovernment.<\/p>\n
Despite new demands in Afghanistan and elsewhere, he said the
\ncouncil must meet its commitment to ensure East Timor's success
\nby maintaining security and building a sound administrative and
\neconomic base.<\/p>\n
\"Close partnership between East Timor and the international
\ncommunity will remain essential for the continued stability and
\ndevelopment of the country,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The United Nations has been administering the tiny Southeast
\nAsian territory since its people voted overwhelmingly for
\nindependence from Indonesia in August 1999. After the UN-
\nsponsored referendum, East Timor was devastated by a violent
\nrampage by Indonesian troops and their local militia supporters.<\/p>\n
The Security Council said in late October that the United
\nNations will maintain a reduced military, police, and civilian
\npresence after independence.<\/p>\n
UN administrator Sergio Vieira de Mello said at the time that
\nthe peacekeeping force would be cut from 8,000 to about 5,000 and
\ninternational police would be reduced from 1,640 to 1,240 by
\nindependence.<\/p>\n
Annan said the development of the East Timor Defense Force and
\nthe East Timor Police Service will enable UN peacekeepers and
\ncivilian police to leave without creating instability.<\/p>\n
But Annan warned that this \"will not occur unless member
\nstates support an adequate and sustainable capital program to
\nequip both organizations.\"<\/p>\n
The development of East Timor's economy will require
\npartnerships between the government, the international community
\nand the private sector, he said.<\/p>\n
The secretary-general called on international donors and UN
\nagencies to coordinate development programs for East Timor and
\nurged companies to consider investing in the country.<\/p>",
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