13 September 1999
Text: Ambassador Holbrooke's UNSC Remarks on East Timor
(Indonesia must allow security force in East Timor) (1120)
"Indonesia's government must allow an international security presence
... to enter immediately in order to create conditions necessary for
the U.N. process to move forward," U.S. Ambassador Richard Holbrooke
said September 11.
Speaking during an urgent session of the United Nations Security
Council on East Timor, Holbrooke said that Jakarta should heed the
advice of the special five-man Security Council mission and accept the
international force proposed by Secretary General Kofi Annan and the
council team.
"There are clear indications that General Wiranto's troops have
backed, encouraged, directed and in some cases participated in the
atrocities on the ground," the ambassador said. "How can the people of
East Timor, the U.N. and the international community now be expected
to entrust their security to these very same soldiers, under the same
military leadership?"
The Security Council heard more than twenty nations press for an
international presence. The Council is scheduled to resume meeting on
September 13.
Following is the official text of Holbrooke's remarks:
(begin text)
Mr. Secretary General, Mr. President, Distinguished Colleagues, Ladies
and Gentlemen,
I had hoped that my first opportunity to speak publicly before the
Security Council would be on a less grave and somber occasion.
Yesterday we heard from Bernard Kouchner about the challenges we face
in Kosovo. Today in East Timor, the challenge is even more immediate
and dangerous, and our responsibility is similarly profound. The UN
system is being challenged in Kosovo and East Timor simultaneously. In
both places, we face important tests of this institution, an
institution to which the U.S. is fully committed.
Indonesia is a country of immediate importance to us all. Its fragile
multiethnic balance has been tested before, most notably - and
tragically - a generation ago. Today, it's being severely tested once
again. On May 5, the government of Indonesia made a courageous
decision to resolve the problem of East Timor -- a concern of this
body for over a quarter century -- in a manner consistent with the
best traditions of the UN charter: popular consultation with the
people of East Timor.
The international community responded to this challenge. With the
Secretary General's indispensable leadership and the Security
Council's steadfast support, the United Nations Mission in East Timor
(UNAMET) worked successfully to allow the people of East Timor to
express their will. When given the opportunity to vote, the people of
East Timor made their choice clear. In one act -- the consultation of
August 30 - over 400,00 East Timorese demonstrated dignity and
courage, reminding us all about the vital place of the ballot box and
the essential role of the United Nations in supporting and supervising
elections.
But on a day when we should be celebrating the vision of the
government of Indonesia and the dreams of the people of East Timor, we
are consumed with images of brutality, violence, and mayhem. Almost
immediately after voting ended last month, militias clearly backed by
elements of Indonesia's military took to the streets and began a
murderous rampage. In recent days, the pace of destruction has been
appalling. Thousands of innocents have been driven from their homes,
hundreds have been killed,, and United Nations personnel have come
under attack.
What's happening in East Timor is against everything this institution
stands for. It challenges the spirit and the content that all of us in
this room -- as delegates to the United Nations -- have worked for. It
grossly violates all we represent. We have a responsibility to stand
up for the principles that this institution is designed to vindicate.
The government of Indonesia must understand that unless it reverses
course immediately, it faces the point of no return. No one wants to
see Indonesia become isolated in the world community - but its future
is now in its own hands.
There are clear indications that General Wiranto's troops have backed,
encouraged, directed and in some cases participated in the atrocities
on the ground. How can the people of East Timor, the UN and the
international community now be expected to entrust their security to
these very same soldiers, under the same military leadership?
It is imperative that the international community speaks with one
voice, and our message must be clear: Indonesia's government must
allow an international security presence, as proposed by the Security
General today and by the Security Council team ably led by Ambassador
Andjaba of Namibia, to enter immediately in order to create conditions
necessary for the UN process to move forward.
There are reports that the Indonesian government may be prepared to
accept such a force. We urge it do so immediately. We are discussing
with other delegations what action the Security Council will take next
and are awaiting a full report from the Security Council mission that
just went to Dili. I want to reiterate the importance that we attach
to immediate action. Already, my government has suspended all
bilateral military cooperation programs with Jakarta and suspended all
military sales and deliveries.
And let me also point out that the situation in East Timor is already
having an enormously damaging effect on the confidence that is so
necessary and important for economic stability. If the crisis is not
speedily and peacefully resolved, the problem will not be contained in
East Timor. It will do irreparable damage to the economy, political
process, and people of the entire nation.
The United States wants to work hand in hand with the government of
Indonesia in its quest for democracy, prosperity, and territorial
integrity. But our ability to do so will be severely restricted unless
the situation in East Timor is set right. We have worked tirelessly,
from President Clinton and Secretary Albright on down, to seek a
solution to this crisis. Today, together, we renew our call on
President Habibie and other high-level officials, including the
military leadership, to allow immediate introduction of a
multinational force so that the UN process can move forward.
This meeting will not solve the problem which we are here to discuss,
but I share the hope of the Secretary General and the Portuguese
Ambassador that it will convey to the authorities that they face
international isolation and enduring damage to their economic and
political dreams if necessary actions do not take place.
In less than two weeks, the long-held dreams of the people of East
Timor -- to have the power to decide their own fate, asserting their
influence democratically -- have been both realized and shattered. We
must see that they regain the ability to shape their future.
Thank you.
(end text)
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