Security Council meeting 4265-Resu.1

Mr. Ben Mustapha (Tunisia)

I wish to welcome Mr. Sergio Vieira de Mello, who unfailingly makes himself available, both in the field and in the Security Council, to keep it informed of the progress achieved by the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) in carrying out its mandate in East Timor. I would also like to thank the Secretary-General for his exhaustive report. My thanks also go to Mr. Mark Malloch Brown, Mr. Klaus Rohland, Mr. Luis Valdivieso, Mr. Harri Holkeri, President of the General Assembly, and Mr. Ramos-Horta, member of the Transitional Cabinet of East Timor, for having given us their assessments of the situation in East Timor.

Our meeting today is being held in a forward-looking spirit with regard to East Timor. We have reached a very important stage in the process that started more than one year ago and that, more than ever before, requires the unconditional and renewed support of all the parties. What is at stake is the future of East Timor, which we would all like to see secure, and the stability of the region as a whole.

Since it was set up more than a year ago, UNTAET has succeeded in discharging its mandate in a number of areas, despite the difficult circumstances under which the Transitional Administration is doing its work. We note with satisfaction that the situation on the ground has improved. To date, concrete results have been achieved in various areas, such as education, health, justice, public security and infrastructure.

Likewise, the information sector has also registered definite progress, thanks in particular to Radio UNTAET and to the bimonthly Timorese newspaper, which enables refugees to be better informed about the situation in East Timor and thus encourages them to take a decision as to whether to return.

We welcome these achievements, which confirm the assessments made by the members of the Council during their visit to East Timor. It is also an opportunity for us to reiterate once again our full support for Mr. Sergio Vieira de Mello for the effective manner in which he has been carrying out work that, only a short time ago, seemed difficult to imagine.

Undoubtedly, there are still obstacles to overcome, and we consider that at this stage, cooperation with the Indonesian Government is very important in order to succeed in this endeavour and to contribute to a calming of the situation in general. The proven and affirmed will with which the Indonesian authorities have dealt with the various issues that have come up -- such as those relating to the arrest of, and the start of court proceedings against, suspects; the collection and destruction of weapons; the disarmament of the militias; the commitment to put a stop to their activities; and the return of refugees - attests to their commitment to resolve issues that are still outstanding. We believe also that the international community should continue to lend substantial support to East Timor in all areas.

UNTAET is a test case for the United Nations. The positive results it has achieved thus far are an inducement for us to make an additional effort to enable East Timor's successful transition to independence, thereby ensuring a smooth transition to lasting peace in that country - a peace that we must now build.

However, as was pointed out by the Secretary-General, East Timor, after independence, will still need very substantial international aid, which will have to go far beyond the type of aid normally given to developing countries.

I should like to take this opportunity of the presence among us of Mr. Harri Holkeri, President of the General Assembly, to reiterate to him the Security Council's request that he consider authorizing a more flexible use of the resources provided for under assessed budgets in the case of complex peacekeeping operations, such as UNTAET.

We are duty-bound to succeed in this transition process, which is paving the way, in a satisfactory manner, for the longed-for independence of the East Timorese people. In this respect, the two-stage political timetable presented by the National Council of Timorese Resistance is an important element that we should fully support, in order to give concrete embodiment to the political will of the Timorese people.

We are convinced that UNTAET's presence is necessary to prepare for the upcoming peace-building stage through the establishment of an integrated mission, to be led by a special representative of the Secretary-General. In this regard, it is necessary to begin a thoroughgoing process of reflection on the way in which this integrated mission will be managed in order for it to obtain the expected results.

We believe it is important to lend our support to the Secretary-General's request for an extension of UNTAET's mandate until 31 December 2001, so that the Transitional Administration can achieve its goals.

Before I conclude, may I, on behalf of my country, convey condolences to the peoples of India and Pakistan on the loss of life occasioned by the earthquake that has just struck these two friendly countries.

Mr. Levitte (France)

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