DATE=10/5/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-N - TIMOR PEACEKEEPING (L)
NUMBER=2-254671
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: U-N Secretary-General Kofi Annan is
recommending deployment of nearly 10-thousand
peacekeeping troops to East Timor to maintain security
as the territory prepares for independence.
Deployment would begin as Indonesia formally
relinquishes control over East Timor, as we hear from
Correspondent Max Ruston.
TEXT: Mr. Annan is proposing the United Nations
assume control over East Timor in November, when
Indonesia is expected to formally end its claim to the
former Portuguese colony. U-N administrators, with
the assistance of aid workers and peacekeeping troops
will govern the territory for two to three-years,
while democratic institutions are created and
preparations are made to hand control over to a local
administration.
Mr. Annan says about nine-thousand peacekeeping troops
will be needed in addition to three-thousand
international and civilian police. A Special
Representative of the Secretary-General will head
three administrative components, overseeing public
administration, humanitarian assistance and military
operations. Mr. Annan is appealing to the
international community to provide funding for the
mission, which still requires formal approval from the
U-N Security Council.
In a report to the Security Council outlining his
proposal, Mr. Annan places most of the blame for East
Timor's problems on Indonesia.
East Timor residents voted overwhelmingly on August
30th for independence from Indonesia. Immediately
after the results of the ballot were announced,
violence broke out throughout the territory.
Mr. Annan says the campaign of violence, looting, and
arson was carried out by pro-Jakarta militias with the
assistance, at times, of Indonesian security forces.
He says Indonesia failed to stop the violence, despite
written promises to do so.
In his most detailed assessment of East Timor to date,
Mr. Annan says the situation there is critical. He
says the civil administration is no longer
functioning, the judiciary has ceased to exist, water,
and electricity services are in danger of collapse and
there are no medical services. There is also an
urgent need, the U-N chief says, to assist the more
than 500-thousand people who fled from their homes
during the unrest.
An Australian-led international force is in East
Timor, trying to restore security in preparation for
deployment of the proposed U-N peacekeeping force.
(SIGNED)
NEB/MPR/LSF/RAE
05-Oct-1999 11:38 AM LOC (05-Oct-1999 1538 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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