UN HEAD OF PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS LEAVES EAST TIMOR

Jean-Marie Guéhenno, United Nations Under-Secretary-General of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations left East Timor today, saying that his visit was a signal of the United Nation’s continued commitment to stand by the East Timorese people, who have made the choice of independence in clear uncontested elections. “I am very pleased with the partnership that has been established between the mission, the leadership of Sergio Vieira de Mello and the Timorese leadership. We are here to serve and support the process of independence,” Mr. Guéhenno said to the press before his departure. Mr. Joachim Hütter, director of Asia and Middle East Division of DPKO, who came on the same visit, will leave on Monday, 5 March. Mr. Guéhenno and Mr. Hutter met SRSG Sergio Vieira de Mello and several high UNTAET officials, East Timor Transitional Cabinet Members, representatives of the East Timorese leadership and other Timorese. The two officials visited Baucau and Viqueque districts. Mr. Guéhenno also visited Atauro island, to the north of Dili, where a pilot project on civil registration is being conducted this week.

FIFTY MORE CADETS GRADUATE
FROM THE LOROSAE’S POLICE SERVICE

Fifty more cadets of the Timor Lorosa’e Police Service graduated today at the Police College in Comoro, Dili. During the course, the fifty cadets attended classes on human rights, community policing, firearms, self-defense and other police related subjects. The Timor Lorosa’e Police Service now has a total of 450 police officers performing police duties in all 13 districts of East Timor.

NORWEGIAN MINISTER VISITS EAST TIMOR

The Norwegian Minister for International Development, Anne Kristin Sydnes, will arrive in East Timor tomorrow for a three-day visit. Kristin Sydnes will visit several Norwegian supported projects, including a Tuberculosis clinic in Maliana, and will meet with Dili Bishop Carlos Ximenes Belo, East Timorese Cabinet Members and other Timorese leadership. The Minister will also sign an agreement on Monday, 5 March, that will commit Norway to further financial support to East Timor.