UNAMET Spokesman David Wimhurst said that as of the end of registration day on 3 August 428,180 people had registered. In East Timor itself 416,812 people had registered. All registration centres were open today for the first of two extra days in East Timor and for the first of four extra days at external centres. In the last two days, UNAMET completed the registration of prisoners in prisons throughout East Timor – two in Dili, one in Baucau, one in Manatuto, one in Maliana and one in Ermera. UNAMET had now registered more than 250 prisoners.
In Surabaya yesterday, more than ten prisoners were taken to the registration centre there to register to vote. He added that Xanana Gusmao registered yesterday in Jakarta and Jose Ramos Horta registered yesterday in New York. Finally, he said UNAMET has just completed a successful two-day operation in Maliana where they registered almost 600 people who came down from the hills to registration centres.
A correspondent asked how the Maliana operation was carried out. Mr. Wimhurst said it was an operation conducted by UNAMET CivPol and MLOs who helped to create security conditions with the Indonesian police in order for IDPs living in the hills to come down to registration centres.
A correspondent asked if more operations like this were expected in the next couple of days. The Spokesman said UNAMET was expecting the larger turnout of registrants during these extra two days to be from the IDPs in the western region.
A correspondent asked whether UNAMET CivPol and MLOs were concentrated in the western region of East Timor. The Spokesman said UNAMET CivPol and MLOs are deployed throughout all of East Timor, not just the western region.
In response to a question, the Spokesman confirmed that IDPs were coming from West Timor to register.
A correspondent asked for an update on the cantonment talks regarding FALINTIL. The Spokesman said those discussions were still ongoing between UNAMET, FALINTIL and TNI and are planned to look at the overall status of cantonment.
A correspondent asked where the cantonments were being prepared. Mr. Wimhurst said they were in three or four areas, but would be able to give clear indications of their locations once UNAMET observed them.
The Spokesman was asked what security arrangements were in place for these cantonments. He said that was a question UNAMET was discussing with FALINTIL and TNI.
A correspondent asked whether cantonment was replacing the move for disarmament as mentioned in the agreement. Mr. Wimhurst said cantonment was a first step in the process of disarmament. He added that this process would be ongoing.
Finally, a correspondent asked about the possible increased deployment of UNAMET CivPol. The Spokesman said discussions were going on in New York on what UNAMET will become after the vote has been completed. UNAMET’s current mandate, he added, takes it up to the vote but no further. Clearly UNAMET will stay here, whatever the outcome, he said. There are duties and responsibilities UNAMET will be performing whichever way the vote goes, which will require a new Security Council resolution. Discussions are going on in New York as to what form the mission will take and what increase or change in personnel will be required.
