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".