DATE=10/7/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-N-TIMOR RESOLUTION (L - ONLY)
NUMBER=2-254772
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The United Nations Security Council has
formally begun considering a draft resolution (today/
Thursday) to authorize deployment of a U-N
peacekeeping force to East Timor. The draft resolution
calls for a force of about nine-thousand peacekeepers
and demands that those responsible for violence in the
territory be brought to justice. More from our U-N
correspondent Max Ruston.
TEXT: The draft resolution was submitted to the
Council by Britain and is expected to be the subject
of discussion in meetings throughout the month.
Diplomats say they expect a final version of the draft
resolution to be approved by late October or early
November.
/// OPT /// The draft resolution echoes a report on
East Timor released by U-N Secretary-General Kofi
Annan earlier this week. /// END OPT ///
The resolution calls for deployment of eight-thousand-
950 peacekeepers and up to 200 military observers at
the earliest possible time. Their mission will be to
restore and maintain order in the former Portuguese
colony and support a U-N civil administration.
Violence spread throughout East Timor last month after
residents voted overwhelmingly in favor of
independence from Indonesia, which invaded the
territory in 1975. Pro-Jakarta militias and the
Indonesian military have been blamed for most of the
violence. A U-N-endorsed Australian-led international
force is now in East Timor restoring order and
preparing for the arrival of the U-N peacekeeping
force.
/// OPT /// According to the draft resolution, a U-N
civil administration will consult with representatives
of the people of East Timor. It will facilitate
humanitarian assistance, including the resettlement of
hundreds-of-thousands of people displaced by the
violence. It will also lay the groundwork for new
government institutions and elections. /// END OPT ///
The interim U-N administration, once approved, will
assume governance of the territory for an estimated
two to three years, before handing power over to a
local administration. The U-N administration is
expected to take control of East Timor next month,
after Indonesia formally relinquishes its control over
the territory. (Signed)
NEB/MPR/LSF/JO
07-Oct-1999 15:01 PM EDT (07-Oct-1999 1901 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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