|
Speech by H.E. J. Ramos-Horta, Senior Minister, Minister of
Foreign Affairs and Cooperation at the Security Council, New York,
Friday, 5th May 2006
Mr. President,
I am here again before you to argue for a modest yet robust UN
presence in Timor-Leste from May 2006 to May 2007. And I am doing
so against the background of the most recent developments in my
country.
I will be candid in offering a sober analysis of the problems
we are facing, the risks ahead as well as the possibilities of
continuing progress in consolidating our still fragile democracy.
Allow me first to share with Your Excellencies my grief over
the tragic death of an outstanding UN civil servant Jose da Silva
Campino. He was a very dear friend of almost 30 years. Jose Campino
was one of the finest human beings I have met in my life, a devoted
UN civil servant, serious and competent.
His humanity and constant quest for knowledge about countries,
peoples and cultures compelled Jose Campino to travel the world
and he visited some 180 countries.
Mr. President,
In September 1999 those serving in this Council, acting swiftly
on the advice of our esteemed Secretary-General ended the violence
in Timor-Leste that followed the UN-sponsored referendum of 30th
August 1999. This was one of UN finest moments.
Your Excellencies and others in the UN family responded to the
calls of our people and of millions around the word and took swift
action. Within days of your historic decision to authorize the
International Force for East Timor (Interfet) Australian Hercules
planes began to roar over the mountains of the rugged island and
hundreds of brave men and women in uniform disembarked.
You were not able to prevent a thorough destruction of the country
but you prevented a greater human tragedy. Your decisive action
saved many thousands of lives. The UN humanitarian agencies coordinated
by the late Sergio Vieira de Mello also acted in a swift manner
and a much feared humanitarian disaster did not materialize.
Timor-Leste remains one of UN finest success stories. With Timor-Leste
in 1999 the UN entered the new and unexplored experiment in nation-building.
The Brahimi Report and the Secretary-General's High Level Panel
have elaborated eloquently on the complexities of post-conflict
and nation-building and have made convincing arguments that for
peace to be durable the international community must stay resolutely
engaged.
While we must all be cognizant of the political and financial
constraints that militate against ideal solutions, nevertheless
I believe that a long-term plan and commitment is most effective
in securing the peace and is much less costly. Our experience
shows that the short term missions are inefficient and costly.
We are grateful that following the deployment of UNTAET and the
restoration of Timor-Leste's independence in 2002, Your Excellencies
authorized successive missions, the UNMISET and UNOTIL. These
consolidation missions were crucial in ensuring the functioning
of vital State institutions and the enhancement of peace.
My President, the Prime Minister and myself have on separate
occasions early this year requested the Secretary-General the
establishment of a Special Political Office comprising four main
components, namely electoral assistance, UN police advisers, military
liaison officers, and civilian advisers.
The Secretary-General responded positively to our request and
recommends the establishment of a small Integrated United Nations
Office for a period of twelve months starting on 21 May this year.
I very much hope that the distinguished members of this august
body will give due consideration to the request we have placed
before you.
I will be candid with Your Excellencies. The incidents in Dili
last week were a wake-call to us the East Timorese leadership
as well as to the international community that we must not take
for granted the apparent tranquility in the country and that urgent
preventive measures must be taken in a resolute manner to prevent
a relapse into the past of violence and instability.
I now would like to share with you my perception of the recent
political and security developments in Timor-Leste, and the remaining
requirements for a continued UN presence and support for one year
leading to the first presidential and parliamentary elections
since the restoration of independence five years ago.
As UNOTIL's mandate draws to a close, Timor-Leste is preparing
for the holding of the first post-independence national elections.
The Government of Timor-Leste and its people are determined, at
this crucial juncture of our country's history, to ensure that
the presidential and parliamentary elections will be held in a
free, fair and credible manner.
However, most recent developments indicate that threats remain
to our fragile peace and stability in Timor-Leste. Let me provide
you with a more detailed background of recent political and security
developments.
On 8 February, around 300 members of the armed forces demonstrated
in front of the Office of the President, demanding a response
to their petition of 15 January concerning alleged discrimination
in promotions and ill-treatment, in particular of members from
non-eastern areas of the country.
On 9 February, the disenchanted soldiers agreed to return to
their military base. However, although a commission of inquiry
had been established, little progress was made towards resolving
the issue.
In mid-March, the situation culminated in the mass dismissal
of 591 soldiers, representing almost 40 percent of the armed forces.
Since then, the number increased to 594.
On 12 April, President Gusmão held separate meetings
with Prime Minister Alkatiri and Brig. Gen. Taur Matan Ruak, where
it was agreed to end the impasse, by (a) reinstating the salaries
of the 594 soldiers until their final status is decided; (b) conducting
a formal legal process on a case-by-case basis, (c) not discriminating
against those who are formally discharged to compete for jobs,
e.g. the PNTL; and (d) providing Government assistance in terms
of seeking gainful employment.
On 24 April, members of the '594 Group', along with several
of their family members and sympathizers, began their planned
five-day march and demonstration from Tasi Tolu (West Dili) to
the cultural center Uma Fukun, near the Government Palace. About
1000 to 2000 persons participated in the demonstration that first
day.
On 25 April, the '594 Group' continued to hold demonstrations
from around 8:00 hrs onwards, in which an estimated 1000 demonstrators
participated. Unlike the first day, the tone of the protesters
became more critical towards the Government, requesting a political
solution to the demand of the 594 dismissed soldiers.
On 26 April, speeches continued with a more anti-government
content, including a '594 Group' member in full F-FDTL uniform
who provocatively warned that if the problem was not resolved
there would be 'bloodshed', and that the elected leaders should
be removed if they cannot resolve such issues. The main speaker
was a self-proclaimed '594 Group' family member, who is incidentally
the Secretary-General of the newly-registered political PDRT party,
which had resorted to anti-government rhetoric.
On the same day, the '594 Group' leader Lt. Salsinha accepted
the Government proposal that I had conveyed to him, but also reiterated
that the position of the '594 Group' remained that there should
be a resolution of their demands, otherwise they would call for
a general strike.
On 27 April, Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri, with President Xanana
Gusmão at his side, announced the establishment of an Investigation
Commission to look into the allegations contained in the petition
of the former F-FDTL members. The Investigation Commission was
due to commence its work on Tuesday, 2nd May and we assured the
protesters that it would complete its mandate within 90 days.
Prime Minister Alkatiri has pledged that the Commission would
complete the investigation and present its conclusions and recommendations
much earlier, within one month.
The Government has appointed Senior Minister and Minister of
State Administration Dr. Ana Pessoa, and Vice-Minister for the
Interior Alcino Barris as its representatives to serve in the
Investigation Commission. The Presidency of the Republic, the
National Parliament and the Judiciary have all nominated their
respective representatives. The Bishops of Dili and Baucau as
well as the NGO Forum have nominated advisers to the Commission.
I was informed late last night NY time by PM Alkatiri that the
Commission of Investigation would began its work at once.
In the course of several days prior to 28 April I held conversations
with the leader of the ex-FDTL members, Mr. Gastão Salsinha,
who had stated that his group would accept the conclusions and
recommendations of the Commission. Subsequently, the senior leadership
of F-FDTL that they too would abide by the Commission's conclusions
and recommendations.
Following the announcement of the establishment of the Commission,
the '594 Group' demonstration continued, yet, with no more than
800 protestors present and no more than 200 of the Ex-FDTL present.
The main speaker, Osorio Lequi, not a '594' member but a sympathetic
relative, who is also the Secretary-General of the PDRT party,
told the demonstrators that the objective of the demonstration
was not to establish a Commission but to find an immediate solution
to the issues, and rejected the proposal, arguing that 90 days
were too long to wait for a resolution.
On 28 April, a mob of non-'594' youth and some political elements,
including PDRT, broke off from the peacefully camping protesters
near the Palácio do Governo and forced the national police
(PNTL) to flee. With the PNTL gone, the group became more violent,
throwing stones and at least one Molotov cocktail at the Government
offices. No major damage was done. Subsequently, the mob broke
out in smaller groups and went in different directions, triggering
violent rioting, fighting and arson in the outskirts of the city
but it was the poor neighborhood of Tasi-tolu and the Taibessi
market that bore the brunt of the acts of vandalism.
Most elements of the group of the 594 ex-F-FDTL did not join
in the violence and dispersed to various destinations. By Friday
evening, five persons were reported killed and more than 30 injured,
including four policemen, one of which critically. 45 shacks were
destroyed and 116 were partially destroyed all belonging to the
poorest living in the suburbs. No foreign nationals, Embassy,
UN property, major business, were attacked.
On the first day of the intervention by the FDTL 100 people
were detained and handed over to the police. In the absence of
any evidence of their involvement in the riots all 100 detainees
were ordered to be released by the Dili District Court which reviewed
the cases on 30th April (Sun). All 100 were released and this
included several ex-FDTL elements who were also in detention.
There have been unsubstantiated allegations and rumors that
many more people had been killed by the F-FDTL. Figures have varied
from 20 to 60. However, I have personally made every effort to
find out if there were any basis to these allegations. I spoke
at length with the F-FDTL Commander Brig.-Gen. Taur Matan Ruak,
Interior Minister Rogerio Lobato and Police Commissioner Paulo
Martins. All three have denied these allegations.
Upon hearing the allegations of the killings in the late evening
of 30th April I spoke with Brig. Taur Matan Ruak who emphatically
and credibly denied that more than five death had occurred. I
urged him to immediately visit President Xanana Gusmao at his
private residence. This was about 1AM on 30th April. The general
promptly went to see the President as I had asked him to do and
the two met for two hours during which the general was able to
explain to the President the absurdity and the malicious nature
of these rumors.
In response to the allegations that many more than five individuals
had been killed during the 28 April incidents, the Government
established a Commission for Verification of Data on the Dead
and Wounded; in addition the UNOTIL Human Rights Unit, the Ombudsman
and the National Red Cross have all been able to carry out immediate
investigations into the allegations and have not found any evidence.
However, I can state here that if all the assurances given by
my Government and the initiatives it has taken such as the establishment
of a Commission to look into the allegations, as well as other
separate investigations referred to above are not sufficient,
I can state here that as Minister for Foreign Affairs I am issuing
an invitation to appropriate UN Rapporteurs to visit the country
and carry out thorough investigation into these allegations and
others.
The situation has since calmed down. However, rumors and panic
have caused an exodus from Dili to the districts. An estimated
10 to 15,000 of Dili residents have left Dili for the rural areas.
Dili has at least 180,000 people. At least 5,000 more are sheltered
in Churches, UNOTIL compound, schools, etc in Dili. The central
government in Dili and the District authorities have been doing
their best to deliver basic services to the people.
A positive development in the course of yesterday 4th May is
that President Xanana Gusmao spoke on the phone with Lt. Salsinha
who reiterated that his group would abide by the Commission's
findings and recommendations. Lt. Salsinha has also told the President
that he is seeking assurances about his safety and is ready do
return to Dili.
According to Prime Minister Alkatiri Lt. Salsinha's safety is
assured. Prime Minister Alkatiri has also told me last night that
many ex-FDTL soldiers have made contact with the authorities in
their respective districts.
The Government has established another Commission to look into
the losses incurred by individuals and propose ways to assist
them.
Mr. President,
As I speak today, Dili is on the edge. Fear is palpable among
a people traumatized by past violence. There are concerns about
the ability of the PNTL to maintain law and order. There is concern
about cohesion within the remaining F-FDTL forces. However, I
wish to assure Your Excellencies that the same leadership that
guided our people through these last 30 years are united and are
determined to overcome this new challenge.
President Xanana Gusmao and Prime Minister Alkatiri have held
regular consultations and there have been frequent consultations
between the two leaders with the leadership of the F-FDTL and
PNTL.
The Government is in full control of the situation and Public
Administration continues to function though at a much slower pace
as many civil servants have left town. The F-FDTL has now completely
returned to the barracks. The PNTL is charge of law and order.
I have been in regular touch with the Church hierarchy and I
can inform Your Excellencies that next week upon my return a meeting
will be held involving the two Bishops, President Xanana Gusmao,
the Prime Minister Alkatiri and other Government Ministers. The
meeting will serve to take stock of the situation in the country
and look at ways how the State and the Church may enhance relations
and cooperate to ensure peace and stability.
Notwithstanding the recent security developments, the Government
is moving swiftly to prepare for the upcoming elections. The draft
electoral laws (on presidential and parliamentary elections) were
submitted to the Council of Ministers, which approved them on
26 April. The draft laws will now be sent to the National Parliament
for a broad public debate, and we expect the law to be approved
by the National Parliament after its recess in September. Having
consulted internally and having taken due consideration of concerns
raised by civil society, the Church and other stakeholders, we
have called upon the international community to assist us in this
endeavor.
Mr. President,
I wish to now outline four most pertinent reasons for establishing
an Integrated Office following the completion of the current UNOTIL
mandate.
First, on the political environment, I wish to reiterate that
the country is still in a consolidation phase, and that democracy
and peace remain fragile. As mentioned earlier, representatives
from civil society organizations, the Church and opposition political
parties, whom I have consulted with, have indicated their concerns
that law enforcement agency, the PNTL, has not reached the level
of maturity and attained professionalism to fully resist political
party influences. The transparency of the electoral process will
directly affect the legitimacy of the outcome of the elections,
and the prospects for the development of a healthy multiparty
democratic system in Timor-Leste.
As concerns the timing of the elections and with the aim of precluding
any unnecessary delays, the President and the Government have
agreed to holding both the parliamentary and presidential elections
before or by May 2007 in order to swear in the new Parliament
and President by 20 May 2007.
While the Technical Secretariat for Administration of Elections
(STAE) will take the lead in organizing and administering the
elections, including logistics and operational activities, the
National Electoral Commission (CNE) will supervise electoral preparatory
activities, voter education and electoral campaigns.
The United Nations electoral Needs Assessment Mission that visited
Timor-Leste in November last year has provided valuable guidance
to the Government in its discussions on the electoral laws and
procedures. We greatly acknowledge the important role that the
CNE will play in monitoring the electoral process and providing
voter education throughout the 13 districts. To this end, the
CNE will have to be provided with sufficient financial and human
resources, which naturally calls for an independent source such
as the United Nations in order to ensure impartiality, transparency
and fairness.
Secondly, I wish to briefly elaborate on the challenge of upholding
the internal stability, the rule of law and respect for human
rights before, during and after the elections. While the national
police force has been trained by UN Police and bilateral partners
and has the basic know-how to do routine policing, the most recent
events demonstrated the inability of PNTL to act decisively and
swiftly in crisis situations.
Its impartiality in a tense political environment may not always
be guaranteed, particularly as PNTL deals with the first nation-wide
elections. The presence of UN police will be vital to advise and
support the national police in planning and carrying out their
electoral-related security responsibilities, including through
training and assistance in the development and implementation
of a comprehensive election security plan, thereby forestalling
the development of volatile and possibly violent situations.
The main focus of the Integrated Office will be electoral assistance.
However, other support elements will be of equal importance in
ensuring a free and fair electoral process, hence our request
for continued civilian advisory and human rights support. While
UN agencies and bilateral partners have agreed to take over most
of the civilian advisory posts, we feel the need to strengthen
the institutional foundations of the Ministry of Defense and the
F-FDTL through the drafting and implementation of the organic
law and other instruments for effective management. As the President
stated in his letter of 2 April, Timor-Leste requires advisers
who can lay the legal and institutional foundations of the security
agencies.
Thirdly, the creation of a secure environment prior to, during
and after the elections is of equal importance in the border region.
It would require the engagement of impartial UN Military Liaison
Officers (MLOs) to monitor and advise on the security situation,
and to liaise with the Border Patrol Unit (UPF) and the Indonesian
military (TNI) as required. Possible security risks at the border
with Indonesia prior to and during the elections will certainly
be mitigated through an impartial UN presence and professional
advice on effective border management.
A small number of MLOs would be able to provide advice and assistance
to the Timorese Government, particularly PNTL in liaising with
our own Border Patrol Unit (BPU) and the TNI in the planning and
conduct of proper border security operations and in monitoring
the border security situation. Their presence will certainly promote
a secure and peaceful environment for the conduct of elections.
In the past, a UN presence on an international border has also
proven to be an effective way of easing tensions that arise from
time to time through misunderstanding. Such a presence can provide
impartial feedback and advice to reduce the possibility of conflict.
Fourthly, there remains the acute need for continued international
assistance to the justice sector. While UNDP has successfully
developed a Justice Support Programme, the funds made available
are not sufficient to cover the provisions of support needed for
the Office of the Prosecutor-General. Also, a significant number
of human rights officers are needed to support the Office of Ombudsman
and the National Parliament to ensure that human rights consideration
is fully respected in preparation for the national elections.
Mr. President,
As I stated in my letter of 2 March to Secretary-General Kofi
Annan, the type of assistance needed to ensure an environment
that is conducive to a successful conduct of elections in Timor-Leste
includes "support and facilitation, as appropriate, in key
areas relevant to our political consolidation, including in the
areas of reconciliation and human rights."
On the issue of establishing a reliable justice system and fostering
the respect for human rights, it is crucial that the international
community remains committed to foster this genuine commitment
to justice and human rights that exists in the Government, in
civil society and amongst the Timorese people.
In light of the political and security situation and latest developments
and in response to our modest request, the Secretary-General proposed
the establishment of an Integrated Office as outlined in his recent
report.
In conclusion, I wish to reiterate that the proposal contained
in the Secretary-General's proposal is a bare minimum that Timor-Leste
requires. In light of the latest developments, the President,
the Prime Minister and I consider it desirable to have again a
robust international police force during the period leading to
the national elections. Such a force of at least a company strength
with appropriate logistical means is required by the volatility
and fragility of the situation. The decision is in your hands,
Mr. President, and this decision will decisively influence the
course of events in my country, for good or for bad.
May God, the Almighty and the Merciful bless you all.
|
