DATE=10/4/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=JAPAN - EAST TIMOR (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-254621
BYLINE=STEVEN SHAYMAN
DATELINE=TOKYO
INTERNET=YES
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Japan says it will contribute 100 million
dollars to support the United Nations-backed
multinational force in East Timor. As Steven Shayman
reports from Tokyo, the contribution comes in lieu of
Japanese peacekeeping troops.
TEXT: Japanese Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura told
reporters the contribution is aimed at encouraging
developing nations to take part in United Nations
efforts to restore order in East Timor.
The Australian-led U-N force in East Timor, INTERFET,
is largely Asian in composition. It had been reported
some Asian nations that expressed a willingness to
participate in Interfet were not able to carry out
their commitments due to financial difficulties.
Foreign Minister Komura says the 100 million dollar
figure is roughly half of the 220 million dollars the
United Nations estimates will be needed to fund the
force. He adds there are "no strings attached" to
Japan's donation, which will be wrapped into a United
Nations trust fund for East Timor.
Mr. Komura says Japan's decision was relayed Friday to
U-N Secretary-General Kofi Annan and Australian
Foreign Minister Alexander Downer.
Japanese domestic law forbids the deployment of troops
overseas in areas where there is no cease-fire in
effect.
On humanitarian aid, Mr. Komura says Japan will
continue to do what it can to alleviate the suffering
of East Timor refugees. He added Japan intends to
help rebuild the former Portuguese territory in the
medium- and long-term, after order is restored.
Monday's announcement follows the recent dispatch to
Jakarta and East and West Timor, of a Japanese Foreign
Ministry task force, in conjunction with Thailand,
Sweden, Britain and the United States. A Japanese
Foreign Ministry spokesman says the joint mission gave
the Indonesian government credit for making efforts to
support refugees who fled to West Timor. The
spokesman says that aside from general volatility in
East and West Timor, the joint task force made special
note of acute shortages in water, sanitation and
medical supplies, and also observed the presence of
armed pro-Indonesian militia in the West Timor
camps.(Signed)
NEB/SS/FC
04-Oct-1999 05:41 AM EDT (04-Oct-1999 0941 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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