Dili, 20 March 2001
CHINA OFFERS FUTURE FOREIGN
AFFAIRS BUILDING FOR EAST TIMOR


SRSG Sergio Vieira de Mello and the Chinese Vice-Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Sun Guagxiang signed today an agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation between China and UNTAET under which China will build the future Foreign Affairs Ministry building, in Dili. The project is worth US$4 million. The Chinese Vice-Minister arrived in East Timor yesterday for a three-day visit.

OVER SIX THOUSAND PEOPLE
REGISTERED IN NATIONAL PROGRAM


More than 6,000 East Timorese were registered over the past three days since the national civil registration started on Friday, 16 March. Over 1,000 people were registered on the first day; nearly 2,000 on Saturday and over 3,000 people were registered yesterday. Registration sites have opened in all districts but Viqueque, due to last week’s security situation. However, civil registration offices are expected to open in two to three days. Registration officers – some of whom have lost all their belongings in the burning of last week – are now back in Viqueque. By the end of this week all 65 sites in all sub-districts are expected to be fully operational.

UNTAET SRSG SIGNS EXECUTIVE ORDER TO STOP DILI 2001 HOTEL

SRSG Sergio Vieira de Mello signed yesterday an executive order to halt the construction of Dili 2001 Hotel, located at the sea front near Cristo Rei Beach, Dili, following a decision by the Transitional Cabinet on 14 March. A notification of the executive order was handed to the company by United Nations Civilian Police. The executive order demands an “immediate cessation of construction activities” and the “restoration of the land to its pre-existing state.” In addition, the company will have to remove the structures already built. The owners and developers have now until 26 March to present any documentary evidence, data or relevant information to the Cabinet Member for Economic Affairs if they consider the decision should be reviewed.

EAST TIMOR DEFENCE FORCE
RECEIVES TAEKWONDO MATERIALS


The Republic of Korea donated Taekwondo materials worth of US$ 22,000 to the newly established East Timor Defence Force. A symbolic turnover by the Commander of the National Korean Contingent will be held tomorrow, 21 March at East Timor Defence Force headquarters in Aileu district, 45 km from Dili. The materials include 800 uniforms, 2,800 Taekwondo belts, 80 pieces of protective gear, 30 mats and 700 pairs of shoes. In addition, about 20 Korean Battalion troops will take its Blue Angels operation from Lospalos to Aileu district tomorrow. Operation Blue Angels is the humanitarian component of Korean Battalion, including medical clinic and dental service, barber and a special Taekwondo class. The Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Lee Joung-Binn today informed SRSG Sergio Vieira de Mello of his Government's decision to establish the Mission of the Republic of Korea in Dili in the first half of this year.

FIRST ROTATION OF BANGLADESH PEACKEEPING FORCE

Around 500 personnel of the Bangladesh Engineering Battalion left the mission last week after more than a year serving with the United Nations Peacekeeping in East Timor. The Force has played a special role in construction and preservation of roads and infrastructure in East Timor. About 400 projects have been completed, including bridges, roads and maintenance of water points. A new battalion of equal strength has already arrived.