17 January 2001 -- Secretary-General Kofi Annan has recommended that the Security Council extend the mandate of the United Nations transitional administration in East Timor through 31 December to ensure a smooth changeover of power once the territory reaches full independence.
In his latest report to the Council on the work of the UN Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET), the Secretary-General says the UN operation will be fully responsible for the conduct of elections and outlines a political transition that will include the formation of a Constituent Assembly - the precursor to the first legislature in an independent East Timor.
Mr. Annan also draws attention to the concerted effort over the past six months to accelerate the transfer of authority to Timorese, including the work of the all-Timorese National Council and the Timorese-majority Cabinet. While noting that the goal of reaching independence before the end of this year is "ambitious and leaves little room for technical or political delays," he stresses that setting that target assists the process of transition.
"The UN will certainly do all it can to help achieve it," Mr. Annan adds.
On the subject of security, the Secretary-General notes the decrease in infiltration by militia groups from West Timor but warns, that "the threat will remain as long as the Government of Indonesia does not disband those groups." Disarming the militias will also help resolve the long-standing problem of East Timorese refugees in West Timor, he writes.
According to the Secretary-General, East Timor will still require international support after independence, including the possible maintenance of what is now the UN Mission's military component until an East Timor Defence Force can be fully established.
In a related development, East Timor's Transitional Cabinet today approved a draft regulation that would provide for the creation of a Defence Force. After it is finalized, the regulation will be forwarded to the National Council for consideration. In other action, the Cabinet approved a draft regulation that would establish an Interim Registry of Political Parties, and define the rules by which political parties may register and nominate candidates for election to the Constituent Assembly.
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