17 November The head of the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) today held a series of meetings with the local independence leader and the commander of the international forces, a UN spokesman in New York said.
On his first full day on the job, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Sergio Vieira de Mello, held talks with East Timorese independence leader Xanana Gusmao, Spokesman Fred Eckhard said.
Earlier in the day, Mr. Vieira de Mello met with General Peter Cosgrove of Australia, commander of the multinational force (INTERFET) which has been restoring law and order in East Timor. He also met with the Secretary-General's outgoing Acting Special Representative, Ian Martin.
Under a broad Security Council mandate, UNTAET will help East Timor towards its transition to independence and hold all legislative and executive authority in the territory. Close to 11,000 troops and civilian police will take over from INTERFET in maintaining peace and security for the UN mission.
