Briefing Summary for Wednesday, 11 August 1999

Deputy Spokesman Hiro Ueki began today’s briefing by informing correspondents that Ambassador Jamsheed Marker, the Personal Representative of the Secretary-General for East Timor, arrived in Jakarta last night. He is scheduled to meet with the Indonesian Foreign Minister, Ali Alatas, at 10:00 a.m. He is then scheduled to meet with General Wiranto, Indonesian Defence and Security Minister, at 1:30 p.m. and with Xanana Gusmão at 6:00 p.m. Ambassador Marker is expected to meet with President Habibie tomorrow. Special Representative Ian Martin will accompany Ambassador Marker in these meetings. Ambassador Marker will visit Dili from Saturday, 14 August, to Monday, 16 August.

There will be a two-day tripartite dialogue in Jakarta starting tomorrow. The main focus of this senior officials’ meeting is the phase II period immediately after the popular consultation.

Last night, Dili time (Tuesday morning New York time) the Secretary-General submitted his report on East Timor to the Security Council. In this report the Secretary-General made a number of proposals regarding the post-ballot period (phase II) including some adjustments to the UN presence in East Timor.

First, the Secretary-General notes that, irrespective of the result of the 30 August popular consultation, the United Nations will have to redouble its efforts to build confidence and support stability in the Territory. It will also reassure all groups, in particular those in the minority in the ballot, that they have a role to play in the future political life in East Timor. For this purpose, the Secretary-General says that the establishment of an interim representative council and subsequently an elected representative council, foreseen in the special autonomy proposal, would also be highly desirable if autonomy is rejected. It would also be desirable if this body could be established before or immediately after the ballot.

As for the presence of the United Nations, the Secretary-General proposes the continuation of UNAMET until the implementation phase of the result as well as adjustments to its tasks and structure. One aim of these adjustments would be to ensure a UN presence in all 13 regencies of East Timor. The electoral component would be reduced to a unit that plans and prepares for a regional council if autonomy is accepted, or for elections that will take place if autonomy is rejected. Some United Nations Volunteers serving as District Electoral Officers will be retained.

The police component would be increased from the current strength of 280 to 410 and would continue to advise the Indonesian police. It would be augmented by a small group initially and then eventually up to 50 to prepare for the recruitment and training of a new East Timorese police force. This will amount to 460 UN Civilian Police for Phase II.

The military liaison component would be increased from the current strength of 50 to 300. They will liaise with the Indonesian armed forces, pro-integration militias and Falantil. They will also advise on security matters.

The political component will transform itself to a civil affairs component and would continue to monitor political and other developments and their impact on the maintenance of political stability, assist the Special Representative and assist with promoting respect for the rule of law and human rights. Some additional staff will be needed to coordinate humanitarian assistance.

In addition, UNAMET will continue to require a public information capacity, including access to the media.

During the interim period the Indonesian authorities will continue to be fully responsible for the maintenance of law and order, specifically the police, as affirmed by the May agreement.

The proposed changes in UNAMET will ensure the presence of the United Nations in all 13 regencies. The Secretary-General has requested authorization for an initial period of three months from the date of the popular consultation scheduled for the 30th of August. Copies of the report are available in the press office.

A correspondent asked if the increase in Civilian Police and Military Liaison Officers would come before or after the ballot. Mr. Ueki said the preparations are underway for the recruitment of those officers, but the Security Council would first need to approve the Secretary-General’s proposals before it could be implemented. He said that the idea was to have most of them deployed in time for Phase II immediately after the ballot.

A correspondent asked if the Indonesian Government has agreed to these proposed increases. The Deputy Spokesman said the proposals contained in the Secretary-General’s report were presented to the Indonesians and made on the basis of his consultations with the Governments of Indonesia and Portugal.

A correspondent asked if Ambassador Marker in Jakarta would discuss the Secretary-General’s proposals mentioned in his report. Mr. Ueki said Ambassador Marker will be discussing aspects related to Phase II, but was not in a position to provide more details until after those talks.

A correspondent asked the Deputy Spokesman if he had any information on the incident in Hera last night. He said the only information he had regarding incidents in Dili was that late yesterday there was a report of some weapons being fired and a house being burned in Desa Kamian. UNAMET and Polri (Indonesian National Police) were still looking into this and he was waiting for further information. There were no reports of injuries, he added.

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