Dili, 14 June 2001
SRSG VIEIRA DE MELLO OUTLINES POLITICAL TRANSITION

In his opening speech at the Canberra donors conference today, SRSG Sergio Vieira de Mello outlined the plans for the political transition over the electoral period and beyond. “From 15 July, when political campaigning begins, it is my expectation that those current Cabinet Members standing in the elections or actively participating in the campaign will vacate these appointed positions, which will then be temporarily occupied by the senior Timorese line manager from the relevant department,” SRSG said.

“Executive authority will remain vested in the Transitional Administrator by virtue of Security Council Resolution 1272 and exercised through the Cabinet. Since the National Council is also expected to dissolve at the start of the electoral campaign on 15 July, this ‘modified’ Cabinet will continue to exercise authority and develop essential draft legislation, but I would expect only to promulgate the most pressing and urgent laws. Most draft legislation would await referral to the Constituent Assembly or independent Legislature.” The SRSG added that he intends to appoint an “expanded Cabinet” that will reflect the outcome of the Constituent Assembly elections, following the elections. “The new Cabinet will head a reorganized Transitional Administration which will more closely reflect anticipated portfolio responsibilities in the future independent East Timorese government. When the outcome of the elections is known, we will know the exact time-frame for the adoption and type of Constitution, the possible need for us to organize Presidential elections and the date of independence.”

Donors are convening in Canberra to discuss the political and administrative hand-over in East Timor two months ahead of the 30 August elections. In the main meeting, co-chaired by UNTAET and the World Bank, donors are set to review key issues affecting the political transition, the establishment of an effective East Timorese administration, fiscal sustainability and major challenges for economic and social development. This international event follows meetings in Tokyo (December 1999), Lisbon (June 2000), Brussels (December 2000) and Dili (March 2001) where donors consistently demonstrated their support for East Timor and endorsed an international coordinated effort for the reconstruction and development of the devastated country in its transition to full independence. The main meeting is hosted by the Government of Australia and Alexander Downer, Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, today welcomed the participants and opened the meeting. The SRSG Sergio Vieira de Mello and World Bank Vice President for Pacific and East Asia Jemal-ud-din Kassum are co-chairing the conference. UNTAET’s delegation includes East Timorese leaders and senior advisors.

PEACEKEEPERS EXCHANGE FIRE WITH SUSPECTED MILITIAS

United Nations Peacekeepers today exchanged fire with a group of suspected militias eleven kilometers south of Batugade, Maliana district. No one was injured in the incident, which took place at mid-day. At 12.50 p.m., the Australian Peacekeepers conducted a routine security patrol when they encountered a small armed group of suspected militia. The Peacekeeping patrol challenged the group verbally, instructing them to stop and put down their weapons. The suspected militias fired upon the Peacekeeping patrol with rifles. When the patrol returned fire the suspected militia group withdrew. The Peacekeeping Force has deployed troops into blocking positions around the location and is currently tracking the group in an attempt to apprehend and disarm its members.

PNT TENTH PARTY TO RECEIVE OFFICAL CERTIFICATE

The party Partido Nasionalista Timorense (PNT) today received its official political party certificate of registration from the Independent Electoral Commission, becoming the tenth party to be officially registered with the Commission for the purpose of presenting candidates to the elections for a Constituent Assembly. The Commission staff delivered the certificate of registration in person to PNT’s acting president, Aliança Araújo. In related news, Flaviano Pereira Lopes, the President of the newly-formed party Partai Republik Nacional Timor Leste (Parentil) submitted an application for registration to the Independent Electoral Commission today in order to present candidates to the elections. This is the fourteenth party to submit an application.