UN extends East Timor mission
Diplomats agree in principle to extend mandate of security mission by a year.
In the wake of an assassination attempt on the country’s president earlier this month, he said the security environment remained “fragile and volatile”, adding that the country will need UN support until the next elections, due to be held in 2012.
“We’d hope that it [the extension] will not just be one year but it will be renewed for another … three or four years.”
East Timor |
Former Portuguese colony invaded by Indonesia in 1975
Voted for autonomy in 1999 in UN-brokered polls
Ensuing violence left more than 1,500 dead
Declared independence in 2002 after three years of UN administration
Riots flared in 2006 after hundreds of soldiers rebelled over alleged discrimination, leaving 37 people dead and over 150,000 displaced
UN-backed stabilisation force includes more than 2,500 Australian and New Zealand troops and UN police |
Earlier Santos told the security council that while East Timorese differed in their political views, “we are united in our recognition of the invaluable contribution of the United Nations and the need for its continued and sustained presence in the country”.
Ramos-Horta was shot and wounded in the attack on his home on February 11 [EPA] |
Senior officials, including Taur Matan Ruak, East Timor’s army chief, have demanded an explanation on how the Australian-led International Stabilisation Force and some 1,700 UN police failed to prevent the attackers from reaching their two targets.
Displaced persons
But he warned that the country would remain unstable until political differences and challenges left over from the fledgling country’s fight for independence are resolved.
The country must address the crisis caused by some 100,000 internally displaced persons (IDP), he said.
“The IDP situation is a political and security concern as well as a humanitarian one, and largely considered as neither short-term, nor easily fixed,” he said.
The country also faces challenges from former soldiers and fighters loyal to Reinado, he said.
“The fact that Timor Leste came so close to a real breakdown shows how important and urgent it is to address a number of issues – the remaining Reinado supporters who are under arrest warrants, the petitioners, the IDPs.
“These pressing issues have been unresolved since the crisis of 2006.”