UN secretary-general urges financial support for E. Timor
UN secretary-general urges financial support for E. Timor
Associated Press, United Nations
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan called for continued financial support for East Timor to ensure its success as an independent nation.
In a report to the Security Council on Monday, Annan recommended that UN peacekeepers remain in East Timor until independence on May 20 and said a follow-up peacekeeping operation is essential to ensure the stability of the new government.
Despite new demands in Afghanistan and elsewhere, he said the council must meet its commitment to ensure East Timor's success by maintaining security and building a sound administrative and economic base.
"Close partnership between East Timor and the international community will remain essential for the continued stability and development of the country," he said.
The United Nations has been administering the tiny Southeast Asian territory since its people voted overwhelmingly for independence from Indonesia in August 1999. After the UN- sponsored referendum, East Timor was devastated by a violent rampage by Indonesian troops and their local militia supporters.
The Security Council said in late October that the United Nations will maintain a reduced military, police, and civilian presence after independence.
UN administrator Sergio Vieira de Mello said at the time that the peacekeeping force would be cut from 8,000 to about 5,000 and international police would be reduced from 1,640 to 1,240 by independence.
Annan said the development of the East Timor Defense Force and the East Timor Police Service will enable UN peacekeepers and civilian police to leave without creating instability.
But Annan warned that this "will not occur unless member states support an adequate and sustainable capital program to equip both organizations."
The development of East Timor's economy will require partnerships between the government, the international community and the private sector, he said.
The secretary-general called on international donors and UN agencies to coordinate development programs for East Timor and urged companies to consider investing in the country.