UNAMET pledges full cooperation
UNAMET pledges full cooperation
DILI, East Timor (JP): The United Nations Assistance Mission
in East Timor (UNAMET) has pledged full cooperation with all
sides in troubled East Timor to help the Aug. 8 ballot succeed.
"The UN presence in East Timor is neutral. UNAMET will be open
to any input from all sides, including the conflicting factions
in this territory, to make the polling a success," UNAMET
chairman Ian Martin said upon his arrival in Dili on Tuesday.
Martin, who was accompanied by Tamrat Samuel, a member of
staff of the UN political department on Asia-Pacific affairs,
said his visit to East Timor was to represent UN Secretary-
General Kofi Annan to organize the popular consultation agreed on
by Indonesia and Portugal in their tripartite meeting in New York
on May 5.
"The UN presence here is to facilitate the East Timorese
people in making an appropriate decision on their own future. The
UN will accept whatever decision they make during the ballot."
He said UNAMET would raise awareness among the East Timorese
about the ballot to ensure their participation.
Indonesia and Portugal have agreed to let the UN organize the
direct ballot, which will determine if the East Timorese accept
the special autonomy package offered by the Indonesian
government.
East Timor, a former Portuguese colony, was integrated as
Indonesia's 27th province in 1976.
The government has offered independence as the second option
if the East Timorese reject the special autonomy.
In Jakarta on Monday, Martin met Minister of Foreign Affairs
Ali Alatas, Minister of Defense and Security/Indonesian Military
chief Gen. Wiranto and jailed East Timor resistance leader Xanana
Gusmao.
Martin also said UNAMET would forge close contact with hostile
factions, Indonesian security authorities and the Catholic Church
in East Timor in an effort to end the increasing violence and
intimidation before and during the ballot.
"UNAMET's civilian police officers will also enhance
cooperation with the Indonesian Police in this territory to
create a conducive climate for the ballot," he said.
The Indonesian government set up a task force effective as of
June 1 to help in conducting the ballot.
The foreign ministry said in a statement on Tuesday that the
task force would be responsible to the ministerial-level joint
team set up by President B.J. Habibie on May 18 to execute the
UN-sponsored tripartite agreement between Indonesia and Portugal.
Led by Ambassador Agus Tarmidzi, the task force's main
function will be as a bridge between the government and UNAMET,
including through helping the UN team to organize the ballot.
The task force's deputy chairman is Ambassador Yuwana, who
will be helped by a number of members of the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Defense and
Security, Ministry of Information and Ministry of Health. Dino
Patty Djalal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be spokesman
for the task force. (rms)