“SECURITY IS OUR PRIORITY,” SRSG TELLS NATIONAL COUNCIL

In a three-hour question and answer session before the National Council, the SRSG Sergio Vieira de Mello today stressed that UNTAET will take “all necessary measures to prevent any actions of individuals or groups of a small minority that wants to subvert the law and order during the electoral campaign.” “I know that is your major concern. Security is our highest priority,” Vieira de Mello said. Today’s session followed the SRSG’s State of the Nation address before the National Council on 28 June. The questions from the Council’s members covered a wide range of issues, from the election process, security and the transition to independence, to education policy, prison management, labour rights and the isolation of Oecussi enclave.

On security, the SRSG informed the Council that a special assessment security team was recently formed to evaluate the security situation in some districts – Dili, Baucau, Same and Viqueque, and the border area between Aileu and Ermera. The team includes members of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force and the East Timor Defence Force; the United Nations Civilian Police and the East Timor Police Service, and civilians from Political Affairs and Justice departments. The team has already started its work and will travel to Baucau tomorrow. The National Council will be officially dissolved on Sunday, 15 July, the day the electoral campaign starts. The dissolution follows a recommendation of the National Council’s Standing Committee on Political Affairs, approved by the SRSG. A ceremony will be held on Saturday, when the SRSG and the Speaker of the Council, Manuel Carrascalão, will address the members and the public.