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)