UN to slow withdrawal from E. Timor

UN to slow withdrawal from E. Timor

UNITED NATIONS: UN Secretary General Kofi Annan on Tuesday recommended slowing the phased withdrawal of United Nations troops from East Timor because of an upsurge in violence by pro- Indonesian former militiamen.

"A sharp increase in the frequency and magnitude of security- related incidents" in the past three months "strongly suggest the need to adjust the downsizing plan," he said in a report to the Security Council.

Riots which took place on Dec. 4 in the capital, Dili, were "on a quite different scale" from previous disturbances and were "manipulated by elements" seeking to undermine the authority and legitimacy of the government, he said.

The UN Mission of Support in East Timor (UNMISET) -- set up on May 20, 2002, the day East Timor became independent -- currently comprises 3,853 troops and 730 police officers, supported by 2,300 international and local civilian staff. --AFP