UN defers debate on E. Timor

UN defers debate on E. Timor

JAKARTA (JP): The United Nations General Assembly, which got
underway in New York this week, has once again deferred the East
Timor debate till next year, Antara reported yesterday.

The proposal to defer the issue, which has remained in the UN
agenda, came from Thailand. It was seconded by Belgium and the
motion was carried by acclamation, without being put to a vote.

The Thai representative argued for a deferral saying that the
issue is now being handled by UN Secretary General Boutros
Boutros-Ghali who this year alone has supervised two separate
talks between the foreign ministers of Indonesia and Portugal.

The last round of these tripartite talks in July showed
progress as the parties began discussing substantial issues to
resolve the status of East Timor. They are scheduled to meet
again in January.

The United Nations still officially recognizes Lisbon as the
administering power of the territory which it abandoned in 1975.
Indonesia says the majority of East Timorese have voted to
integrate with the republic.

Although the East Timor problem is still on the UN agenda, the
General Assembly has deferred debate on the issue every year
since 1983. (emb)