I wish to express, on behalf of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, my appreciation and that of the United Nations to all the Member States that participated in INTERFET, represented here today. I believe with the exception of Italy and the United Kingdom, by their contingent commanders, and most especially to Australia whose resolve and leadership made this major undertaking possible.

We are all here thanks to the swift response of the Security Council, of Australia and of those nations that courageously contributed troops to the multinational force. And we know that for many of them this was not an easy decision in September of last year. It brought an end to the killing of civilians and a senseless and widespread destruction orgy that shocked international conscience, following the 4 September announcement of the ballot results.

The Secretary-General has made the point that whenever lives of civilians are at risk and a rapid international intervention is necessary, the only effective solution is the establishment of a multinational force. Had a force like INTERFET been deployed in spring of 1994 to Rwanda, hundreds of thousands of lives would have been saved.

With the signing of the transfer document a few minutes ago, the military aspects of Security Council resolution 1264/99 (of last year) have been implemented. It is not often that the Secretary-General is able to report back to the Security Council that one of its resolutions has been fulfilled as is the case here: peace and security were restored in East Timor, the CNRT leadership, First and foremost Xanana, could return home free, the United Nations � whose staff never left East Timor � was able to prepare the deployment of UNTAET. The repatriation of refugees and of IDPS as well as the distribution of humanitarian assistance was greatly facilitated by the multinational force. INTERFET�s mandate was demanding and multifaceted. Many have taken the secure environment that it rapidly established for granted. That is the best, if somewhat unfair, tribute paid to INTERFET.

It is also rare that a United Nations force succeeds a multinational force. The planning and execution of the transition from INTERFET to the UNTAET military force has been exemplary, both in terms of planning, and of actual cooperation between commanders and between contingents on the ground. The seamlessness of this transition deserves to become a case study.

The recent visit of the Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, and the impending visit of President Abdurrahman Wahid will consolidate the foundations of what the CNRT, under Xanana Gusmao�s leadership, the new Indonesian government and the United Nations are striving for: a new, however difficult, beginning in relations between East Timor and Indonesia. Our military contingent will contribute energetically to the establishment of trust and cooperation with Indonesia.

As we assume full responsibility for security in East Timor, I wish to remind you that the Security Council resolution that established the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor was adopted under Chapter VII, the enforcement chapter, of the Charter. Our military component under the command of General Jaime de los Santos will maintain the highest deterrence and reaction capacity in East Timor, which I would not advise anyone test.

Finally, a word to my friend General Peter Cosgrove, and his Deputy General Songkitti Jakrabart. We have worked closely with both of you. With your officers, with your women, men, since my very landing in Dili. I remember you waiting for me in the darkness at Komoro airport. And I found in you not only remarkable professional soldiers but also loyal partners and friends. I wish you both, all the very best and express once again our deepest gratitude and admiration for the great job you have accomplished here. Thank you.