DATE=5/7/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-249096
TITLE=U-N / TIMOR RESOLUTION (L - ONLY)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL TODAY (FRIDAY)
ENDORSED AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN INDONESIA AND PORTUGAL THAT WILL
ALLOW THE PEOPLE OF EAST TIMOR TO DETERMINE THEIR TERRITORY'S
FUTURE POLITICAL STATUS. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON HAS THE
STORY FROM OUR U-N BUREAU.
TEXT: THE SECURITY COUNCIL UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED A RESOLUTION
WELCOMING THE AGREEMENT ON EAST TIMOR SIGNED WEDNESDAY BY
INDONESIA AND PORTUGAL. UNDER THAT AGREEMENT, A POLL WILL TAKE
PLACE IN THE FORMER PORTUGUESE COLONY ON AUGUST EIGHTH. IF EAST
TIMOR'S 800-THOUSAND RESIDENTS DO NOT VOTE IN FAVOR OF AUTONOMY
UNDER INDONESIAN RULE, A PROCESS IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN THAT WILL
GIVE THE TERRITORY ITS INDEPENDENCE.
THE SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION STRESSES INDONESIA'S
RESPONSIBILITY TO MAINTAIN PEACE AND SECURITY IN EAST TIMOR IN
ORDER TO ENSURE THE VOTE IS CARRIED OUT IN A FAIR AND PEACEFUL
WAY. SEPARATIST GROUPS HAVE CALLED FOR THE DEPLOYMENT OF A U-N
PEACEKEEPING FORCE. THEY SAY EXISTING SECURITY FORCES, MOSTLY
INDONESIAN TROOPS, ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR MUCH OF THE VIOLENCE IN
THE TERRITORY SINCE IT WAS INVADED BY INDONESIA IN 1975.
INDONESIA REJECTS THAT CHARGE. THE UNITED NATIONS SAYS IT HAS NO
INTENTION OF SENDING A PEACEKEEPING FORCE TO EAST TIMOR, BUT WILL
ASSIGN AN UNSPECIFIED NUMBER OF CIVILIAN POLICE OFFICERS AS
ADVISORS TO THE EXISTING SECURITY FORCES.
THE UNITED NATIONS IS ALSO EXPECTED TO SEND ABOUT 600 CIVILIANS
TO THE TERRITORY TO HELP ORGANIZE AND CONDUCT THE POLL.
IN A REPORT TO THE SECURITY COUNCIL THURSDAY, MR. ANNAN SAID HE
HAS URGED ALL PARTIES INVOLVED IN EAST TIMOR TO BRING ARMED
CIVILIAN GROUPS UNDER STRICT CONTROL AND ENSURE THE PROMPT ARREST
AND PROSECUTION OF THOSE WHO INCITE OR THREATEN TO USE VIOLENCE.
THE SECURITY COUNCIL HAS ASKED MR. ANNAN TO REPORT ON THE
SITUATION IN EAST TIMOR EVERY 14 DAYS. (SIGNED)
NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/GE
07-May-99 3:45 PM EDT (1945 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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