Annan hails East Timor's progress

Annan hails East Timor's progress

Agence France-Presse, United Nations

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Monday (Tuesday in Jakarta) said East Timor has continued to make progress towards running its own affairs as the United Nations' mission there readies to close down next year.

In a new report to the UN Security Council, Annan said East Timor -- which attained independence in 2002 -- was advancing in preparations for its first post-independence elections, also set for next year.

"The government of Timor-Leste (East Timor) has taken several important steps toward reaching a critical threshold of self- sufficiency," Annan said.

"It has... successfully assumed the responsibility for its internal and external security, while its public administration, law enforcement agencies and armed forces have all continued to develop and mature," he said.

The UN assistance mission in the country is expected to wrap up its work in May 2005.

In his report, Annan pointed to key work remaining to be done, including the demarcation of the land border with Indonesia. Indonesia's Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda said last week he expected that to be completed by October.

"While efforts have been made by both sides, progress has not been as rapid and conclusive as had been hoped. I urge the leaders of the two countries to make every effort in the coming months to finalize their agreement," he said.

Indonesia annexed the former Portuguese colony in 1976 and released its claim only in 1999 after a UN-sponsored ballot showed an overwhelming majority of its people wanted independence.

But pro-Jakarta militias waged a savage campaign against independence backers before and after the vote. About 1,400 people were killed, according to UN figures, and villages were burnt to the ground.

UN-funded prosecutors in East Timor have charged 369 people but around 280 of them live in Indonesia, which has refused to hand anyone over for trial.

Annan said there had been "significant achievements in prosecuting perpetrators of serious crimes committed in 1999. However, many of the indicted persons are still outside Timor- Leste and have not been brought to justice."

He named Indonesia directly in referring to the acquittal of four Indonesian security officers earlier this month over the bloodshed.

"Those responsible for the serious crimes committed in 1999 must be held to account, and it is essential that justice is seen to be done in these cases," Annan said.