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.