[Kabar-indonesia] UN's Annan submits recommendations on new E.Timor mission

[Joyo at aol.com]

UN's Annan submits recommendations on new East Timor
mission

DILI, August 12 (AFP) -- UN Secretary General Kofi
Annan has asked the Security Council to approve a new
year-long mission to East Timor in the wake of deadly
violence earlier this year, a statement received
Saturday said.

The current mission in East Timor is due to wrap up
operations on August 20 after already being extended
amid unrest in May, which led to the deaths of at
least 21 people and the deployment of some 3,200
foreign peacekeepers here.

At least 150,000 people in the nation of about one
million are estimated by the UN to remain in makeshift
camps, still too uncertain of the security situation
to return to their homes.

The new mission would support the government -- whose
previous prime minister stepped down to take
responsibility for the crisis -- and promote political
stability, as well as assisting in 2007 elections, the
current mission said in the statement.

Annan asked the council to approve a 12-month
extendable mandate for the mission, which would
include the boosting of a UN civilian police force to
some 1,600 officers, it said.

Other recommendations included a "small military
capacity" to help maintain a secure and stable
environment, provide a rapid response force based in
Dili that can assist the UN police and provide
training
and advice, it said.

Annan proposed a political affairs unit, an electoral
component to assist in the polls due next May and a
human rights and transitional justice unit to report
on the rights situation and assist Timorese
authorities in ensuring accountability for human
rights abuses and
redress for victims.

He also suggested various other units in what would be
a substantial boost in UN activities in the
half-island nation, which gained independence in 2002.

Annan emphasised to the council that the development
of the tiny nation was a long-term process and that
the international community's commitment "must
correspondingly be a long-term one."

East Timor was ruled by Indonesia for 24 years before
its people voted overwhelmingly in favour of breaking
away from Jakarta and entered a
period of UN stewardship.

The 15-member Security Council is expected to study
Annan's report for approximately a week before voting
on a resolution, the statement added.

May's violence was initially triggered by the
dismissal of 600 soldiers -- almost half the nation's
armed forces -- which led to protests and eventual
factional fighting within the security forces.
Communal violence also exploded on the streets of
Dili.

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Joyo Indonesia News Service
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