Annan recommends keeping UN mission in East Timor

Annan recommends keeping UN mission in East Timor

Edith M. Lederer, Associated Press/United Nations

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan recommended that the United Nations keep a scaled-down mission in East Timor for an extra year, warning that a pullout in May as scheduled could affect the security and stability of the fledgling nation.

In a report on Wednesday to the UN Security Council, Annan called for about 275 military personnel, police trainers, civilian advisers and human rights officers to remain in the country until May 20, 2006 along with a small staff for the UN representative. The mission currently has about 900 military, police and international civilian staff.

"The achievements that the people of East Timor have made in building their own country in the short period since 1999 are truly remarkable," he said. "Nevertheless, the need to continue to support Timorese institution-building efforts remains critical, so as to protect the gains made until now."

When the council extended the mandate of the UN mission to May 20, 2005 in November -- for what was supposed to be the last time -- it acknowledged that East Timor has not reached a "critical threshold of self-sufficiency." Annan's report said it still has not been reached.

East Timor still needs international assistance, Annan said, especially to control its borders, develop a professional police service, establish judicial and financial institutions, and promote democratic governance and human rights.

The secretary-general noted that East Timor's Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri had written to him and to council members requesting continued UN support for one more year.

He warned that premature termination of the UN mission may jeopardize the achievements and the significant investment the international community has made in East Timor and he urged the council to adopt his recommendations.

A withdrawal "would have a potentially negative impact on the security and stability of the country as well as the proper functioning of state institutions," Annan said.

East Timorese voted for independence from Indonesia in 1999. The Indonesian military and its proxy militias struck back, unleashing a wave of violence that displaced 300,000 people. The United Nations administered the territory for 2 1/2 years, then handed it to the Timorese on May 20, 2002 but a UN mission has remained in the country which is still the least developed in Asia.

Singling out the most critical areas, Annan said the country's Border Patrol Unit has improved "but still lacks sufficient capacity to manage border affairs and to interact with the Indonesian national army on its own." He also noted that there is still no final agreement on the border.

Annan recommended that 35 military liaison officers, with 144 soldiers as back-up security support, remain in the country, primarily to facilitate contacts between Timorese and Indonesian border security agencies. He noted that this would be a reduction from 42 liaison officers and 310 back-up troops at present.

While the national police force has gained considerable experience since it assumed responsibility for internal security in May 2004, Annan said it still lacks critical skills, especially in investigations, logistics and forensics. Citing continued reports of misconduct, he also said "the lack of professional ethics remains a concern and further training is required."

Annan recommended that 40 police trainers remain in the country, down from 157 at present.

As for administration, he said great strides have been made to develop government institutions but judicial and financial institutions still rely on international advisers to perform key functions. He therefore recommended that 45 civilian advisers remain, down from the current 58.

To ensure that principles of democracy, rule of law and human rights become entrenched, Annan also proposed that 10 human rights officers stay in East Timor, down from 14 at present.

The secretary-general said the one-year extension could be shortened if bilateral and multilateral arrangements can be made to take over from the United Nations.