SVM:

Today the first payments of UNTAET’s stipend for people working in the public sector were paid in Dili. Two thirds of some 100 people working in judiciary, border control service, airport and port services, market, sanitation and other sectors received their payment.

Payments will be made to five categories agreed by NCC (the National Consultative Council) as follows: unskilled persons – 77$US per month, semi-skilled -100$US, qualified professionals - 142$US, administrator-manager - 212 $senior administrator -318, and US$US. They were organized by the Central Payments Office and distributed in the new official currency.

There was, however, an option made available on the spot to have the dollars changed into rupiah without any exchange fee. This decision was made due to the fact that the US dollar was established as the official currency only a week ago. There was not enough time to begin an education campaign on the new currency.

The payment of stipends outside of Dili will start in two weeks, and will be made fortnightly across East Timor.

SG’s Report to Security Council

The Secretary General’s first report on UNTAET’s operation was made available to the press in Dili, today.

In the report, the Secretary General states that “in setting the foundations of an independent east Timor, fundamental and urgent policy decisions must be made in a multitude of areas and, at the same time, there are urgent humanitarian needs and public service requirements.”

“It will therefore be a high priority in the next three months to produce tangible results for the people of East Timor by creating employment and providing a range of public services, while supporting reintegration of displaced persons from West Timor,” stresses the Secretary General.

This first report on UNTAET activities comes out three months after the establishment of the mission as called for by the Security Council Resolution 1272, which established UNTAET. According to the resolution, subsequent reports are to be submitted every six months.

Security Council members will discuss the report this week. SRSG Sergio Vieira de Mello will take part in these discussions.

Dili Lodge

In a letter sent to Wayne Thomas, of the Timor Lodge Hotel (aka Dili Lodge), on 28 January, The Transitional Administration reiterated its legal position as stated in the previous eviction notice from 17 December.

The legal position cited in this eviction notice states that the operation of “Dili Lodge”, including the additional services offered on the premises, is not in conformity with applicable law in East Timor. Section 7.1 of Regulation 1999/1 specifies that the administration of property previously registered in the name of the Republic of Indonesia shall be administered by UNTAET.

However, in view of the current social difficulties, with a high rate of unemployment in Dili, and in East Timor in general, UNTAET has decided to temporarily suspend the execution of the eviction order.

UNTAET, until further notice, will not object to the continuation of the operation of Timor Lodge, provided it is in compliance with UNTAET’s registration requirements as determined by Regulation 2000/4.

Oekusi

Today, INTERFET reported a minor incident in the enclave of Oekusi. It happened on Friday. Four groups of two to three people crossed the border into East Timor, in the vicinity of Mahata.

The Interfet patrol could not say whether they were militia members. The patrol went to the area and fired a handheld flare to light the region. This made the groups withdraw to West Timor. On withdrawing, the men fired one shot from what Interfet suspects was a pipe gun.

There were no casualties.

---