US$16m for East Timor

US$16m for East Timor

LISBON (AFP): Donor countries on Friday pledged an additional
US$16 million (17 million euros) to help East Timor meet its
budget commitments for the coming year.

The pledge came in a statement following a three-day donors'
conference here.

Sergio Vieira de Mello, UN transitional administrator for East
Timor, said several countries had not been able to make a firm
commitment since their contributions would be subject to approval
by their own parliaments. But he was confident the funds would be
forthcoming.

The statement said: "Donors recognized the importance of the
East Timor consolidated budget to complement the reconstruction
program and indicated their support for closing the gap of US$16
million for the next financial year."

Xanana Gusmao, head of the National Council of Timorese
Resistance, said the reconstruction process "must include east
Timorese people of all political persuasions, including those who
are still living in west Timor".