Council members were briefed by the Secretary-General and Under-Secretary-General Sir Kieran Prendergast on the decision to withdraw UNAMET staff from East Timor if their safety could no longer be guaranteed, and by the President of the Security Council on the meetings held so far by the Security Council mission currently in Jakarta. They look forward to an early report by the Security Council mission.

Council members expressed the gravest concern at the deteriorating security situation, including attacks on United Nations staff, which had led to this development and at the growing humanitarian crisis, including the displacement and forcible relocation of large numbers of East Timorese, including into West Timor. They expressed similar concern at reports of attacks on UNHCR staff in West Timor.

Council members called on the Government of Indonesia to ensure that UNAMET staff are able to leave East Timor in safety and security, should that prove necessary, and to provide full protection for the East Timorese who have taken refuge in the UNAMET compound.

Council members noted the efforts of the Government of Indonesia and underlined its obligation to restore security and stability, to allow the results of the 30 August popular consultation to be implemented in accordance with their commitments under the 5 May agreements and to pave the way for the early redeployment of UNAMET personnel. They urged the Government of Indonesia to ensure full humanitarian access to refugees and IDP's.

Council members supported the action taken by the Secretary-General in respect of UNAMET staff and his efforts, in consultation with the Government of Indonesia, to resolve the present security crisis in East Timor. They underlined their determination to ensure that the 5 May Agreements are implemented in full, and that violence in East Timor is brought to an end. They shared the view of the Secretary-General that if the security situation does not improve within a very short period of time the Council will need to consider further action to help the Government of Indonesia achieve this objective, taking into account the views of the Security Council mission in Jakarta.