UNAMET Spokesman David Wimhurst told correspondents that all the completed electoral lists have arrived in Dili from Sydney, where all the names of registrants have been data processed.
They will go on display tomorrow at registration and polling centres throughout East Timor. Each registration centre will have the list of names of all the people who registered there to vote. Lists for the entire region can be consulted at UNAMET’s regional offices.
The list for the whole of East Timor and external locations can be seen at UNAMET headquarters in Dili. The purpose of posting these lists is to allow anybody to be able to bring a challenge against a name on the list. Anyone who wants to challenge a name on the list must complete a complaint form and give the reasons why they feel somebody should not be on the list along with their own name and registration number. Once this process is completed this information will go to UNAMET regional offices and will then be passed on to the Independent Electoral Commission in Dili for a final decision.
As a result of the data processing in Sydney, the provisional number of registered voters has shifted upward. The overall figure now stands at 451,792. Inside East Timor, the figure stands at 438,513. The external vote therefore stands at 13, 279. The final numbers will not be known until after the challenge period has been completed.
Today the Special Representative, Mr. Ian Martin, and the Head of the Indonesian Task Force, Ambassador Agus Tarmidzi, are travelling by helicopter to Viqueque, Suai and Maliana. This trip is in response to the recent increase of militia activity in these regions. UNAMET is concerned to do everything they can and to seek the assistance of the Indonesian Task Force to bring these increased militia activities under control and eventually to a stop.
A correspondent asked what specific militia activity had occurred in the regions being visited by Mr. Martin and Ambassador Tarmidzi.
The Spokesman said there was an incident last week in Viqueque where two young men were killed. In Suai the numbers of internally displaced people living at a church there has increased to 2,371, from 1,700 just a week ago. This is clear evidence that in this region IDPs are being intimidated or frightened away from their living places and are seeking shelter. In Maliana, there have been incidents of threats to UNAMET local staff from militia. There is still a lot of work that needs to be done in these areas, he said, in order to establish security conditions that are acceptable.
A correspondent asked when Ian Martin would be able to comment to the press on today’s trip. Mr. Wimhurst said Mr. Martin was due to arrive back in Dili at around 4:30 p.m. and will be going directly to a meeting thereafter. Therefore, he most probably would not be able to make any comments about his trip today. The Spokesman said he would be able to provide a readout of the trip at tomorrow’s briefing.
A correspondent asked if there was any timetable for cantonment with regards to pro-integration forces and TNI. The Spokesman said the second cantonment of pro-integration force weaponry takes place today in Cassa (southwestern East Timor) at 10:00 a.m. The first cantonment of weaponry from the pro-integration forces took place at Atabae the day before yesterday, and the last two take place tomorrow in Dili and Baucau. UNAMET Military Liaison Officers will accompany all those cantonments of weaponry.
A correspondent asked how many weapons were cantoned already. Mr. Wimhurst said 103 weapons were cantoned on the first day in Atabae. He said, some were automatic weapons, but the majority were pipe guns.
A correspondent asked if there was an agreement from Aitarak (Dili-based pro-integration force) for handing in weapons. The Spokesman said according to Joao Tavares, overall commander of pro-integration forces, all members of these forces will hand in their weapons.
In response to a question, Mr. Wimhurst said when this cantonment process is completed, an individual possessing a weapon will be outside the framework of this cantonment and will be dealt with by the Indonesian police. He added that UNAMET viewed the move by both sides toward a cantonment of weapons as a positive development and this was a first step on the road towards total disarmament.
Asked about the redeployment of the TNI the Spokesman said discussions are continuing between UNAMET and local military authorities on that issue.
A correspondent asked about the malaria situation with UNAMET staff. Mr. Wimhurst said there have been approximately 50 cases among UNAMET staff although UNAMET’s progress has not suffered as a result.
In response to a question, the Spokesman said Ambassador Marker, the Personal Representative, will be returning on 29 August in time for the ballot, and the Irish Foreign Minister was expected to come to East Timor around 28 August as a special envoy of the European Union.
Finally, a correspondent asked how many international observers were expected to come to East Timor to monitor the ballot. Mr. Wimhurst said he was not able to determine how many more were due to arrive, although at present there were approximately 1,300 observers who have been registered.
