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DATE=6/27/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-N-EAST TIMOR INDEPENDENCE (L-O)
NUMBER=2-263806
BYLINE=BRECK ARDERY
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO:  A top U-N official predicts that East Timor 
could become an independent nation by the end of next 
year.  Correspondent Breck Ardery reports from the 
United Nations. 
TEXT:  Sergio Vieira de Mello, the head of the U-N 
Mission in East Timor, told the Security Council that 
a political transition in East Timor requires a 
constitutional process that results in elections.  Mr. 
Vieira de Mello said East Timorese society may be 
ready for that transition sometime next year.
            /// VIEIRA DE MELLO ACT ///
      The ground rules for both the constitutional 
      process and the elections are simple.  The final 
      say in both cases will lie with the East 
      Timorese.  Human rights must be adequately 
      protected and the system adopted must be 
      democratic.  Following discussions with Xanana 
      Gusmao and other East Timorese political 
      leaders, I feel safe in predicting that 
      elections and possibly independence will take 
      place next year at some point between 30-August 
      and the beginning of December 2001.
            /// END ACT ///
Mr. Vieira de Mello's prediction was generally 
welcomed by members of the Security Council.  But U-S 
ambassador Richard Holbrooke said independence for 
East Timor should not mean an immediate departure by 
the United Nations.
            /// HOLBROOKE ACT ///
      Independence day is not the day on which the 
      United Nations leaves.  It is the day on which 
      the United Nations continues a transition and 
      continues to assist the people of East Timor in 
      a different way.
            /// END ACT ///
Mr. Holbrooke said the U-N mission in East Timor 
should turn from a governing to an advisory role after 
independence.
Mr. Holbrooke and other members of the Council 
denounced the continued activities of militia groups 
in West Timor, part of Indonesia.  The American 
ambassador again called for the government of 
Indonesia to order its military to crack down on the 
militia groups.   (SIGNED) 
NEB/UN/BA/LSF/RAE
27-Jun-2000 14:07 PM EDT (27-Jun-2000 1807 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.