DATE=10/19/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=THAILAND - EAST TIMOR (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-255211
BYLINE=RON CORBEN
DATELINE=BANGKOK
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Thailand says it is willing to take a leading
role in a United Nations-sponsored force in East
Timor, once the next phase of peacekeeping efforts
gets underway. Ron
Corben reports from Bangkok, Thai Deputy Foreign
Minister, Sukhumbhand Paribatra, says Thailand is
ready to participate in several respects, including as
commander of the U-N forces.
TEXT: As the United Nations prepares to adopt a
resolution for a U-N Transitional Authority in East
Timor, Thailand says it is willing to assume the role
of force commander to lead what are expected to be
almost nine thousand troops.
Thai deputy foreign minister, Sukhumbhand Paribatra,
has told Australian Embassy officials, his country is
ready to accept a leadership posiiton, as part of the
U-N Transitional Authority on East Timor or UNTAT.
The UNTAT operations are to cover government and civil
administration, human resource and emergency
rehabilitation, as well as the military component. The
military's nearly nine thousand troops are to be
backed up by a 16-thousand 400 strong civilian police
force.
The U-N resolution, diplomatic sources told VOA, will
provide the U-N troops with the strongest mandate
allowed under so-called "Chapter Seven" provisions of
the organization's Charter.
After meeting in Bangkok Tuesday with Prime Minister
Chuan Leekpai, Australian Foreign Minister Alexander
Downer commented that participation of Southeast Asian
Nations is key to the success of the East Timor
peacekeeping mission.
Mr. Downer also praised Thailand. He said it is seen
as playing a leading role both within ASEAN - the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations -- and in the
broader international community, in helping to resolve
the problem of East Timor. But he added the decision
about who leads UNTAT will be left with the U-N
Secretary General, Kofi Annan.
Malaysian Prime Minister, Mahathir Mohammed, has
previously said his country is prepared to lead the U-
N peacekeeping forces. But Kuala Lumpur's push to head
the military component has been undermined by its
initial reluctance to participate in the current
multinational force, although later it made a token
contribution.
Thailand is seen as well-placed to be a candidate
because of its willingness to send a troop and support
force of 15-hundred and because Major General
Songkitti Jagabatra currently holds the post of Deputy
Commander.
But Timorese independence leader, Jose Ramos-Horta has
questioned whether any ASEAN country should be in a
leadership position during the East Timor transition.
He says ASEAN -- which includes Indonesia - is not
neutral.
NEB/RC/FC/PLM
19-Oct-1999 05:56 AM EDT (19-Oct-1999 0956 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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