United Nations S/PV.4965

Security CouncilFifty-ninth year

4965th meetingMonday, 10 May 2004, 10 a.m.New York

Provisional

This record contains the text of speeches delivered in English and of the interpretation ofspeeches delivered in the other languages. The final text will be printed in the Official Recordsof the Security Council. Corrections should be submitted to the original languages only. Theyshould be incorporated in a copy of the record and sent under the signature of a member of thedelegation concerned to the Chief of the Verbatim Reporting Service, room C-154A.

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President: Mr. Akram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (Pakistan)

Members: Algeria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mr. BaaliAngola . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mr. LucasBenin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mr. AdechiBrazil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mr. SardenbergChile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mr. MuñozChina . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mr. Wang GuangyaFrance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mr. DuclosGermany . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mr. PleugerPhilippines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mr. BajaRomania . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mr. MotocRussian Federation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mr. KonuzinSpain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mr. AriasUnited Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland . . . . . Mr. ThomsonUnited States of America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mr. Holliday

Agenda

The situation in Timor-Leste

Report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Mission of Support inEast Timor (S/2004/333)

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The meeting was called to order at 10.20 a.m.

Expression of condolences

The President: At the outset of this meeting, Ishould like, on behalf of the Security Council, toexpress our outrage at the terrorist attack that occurred onSunday in Grozny, the capital of Chechnya in the RussianFederation, which killed President Akhmad Kadyrovand others and wounded many more. The Councilcondemns that act of terrorism in the strongest possibleterms. The members of the Council express theirsympathy and condolences to the victims and theirfamilies and to the Government of the RussianFederation. On behalf of the Council, I should like torequest the representative of the Russian Federation toconvey those sentiments to his Government and people.

Adoption of the agenda

The agenda was adopted.

The situation in Timor-Leste

Report of the Secretary-General on the UnitedNations Mission of Support in East Timor(S/2004/333)

The President: I should like to inform theCouncil that I have received letters from therepresentatives of Australia, India, Indonesia, Ireland,Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal,Singapore and Timor-Leste in which they request to beinvited to participate in the discussion of the item onthe Council’s agenda. In conformity with the usualpractice, I propose, with the consent of the Council, toinvite those representatives to participate in thediscussion without the right to vote, in accordance withthe relevant provisions of the Charter and rule 37 of theCouncil’s provisional rules of procedure.

There being no objection, it is so decided.

At the invitation of the President, Ms. PessoaPinto (Timor-Leste) took a seat at the Counciltable; the representatives of the otheraforementioned countries took the seats reservedfor them at the side of the Council Chamber.

The President: On behalf of the Council, Iextend a warm welcome to Ms. Ana Pessoa Pinto,Senior Minister and Minister in the Presidency of theCouncil of Ministers.

In accordance with the understanding reached inthe Council’s prior consultations, and in the absence ofobjection, I shall take it that the Security Councilagrees to extend an invitation under rule 39 of itsprovisional rules of procedure to Mr. KamaleshSharma, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Timor-Leste and Head of Mission.

If there is no objection, it is so decided.

I invite Mr. Kamalesh Sharma to take a seat at theCouncil table.

The Security Council will now begin itsconsideration of the item on its agenda.

Members of the Council have before themdocument S/2004/333, which contains the report of theSecretary-General on the United Nations Mission ofSupport in East Timor.

At this meeting, the Security Council will hear abriefing by Mr. Kamalesh Sharma, SpecialRepresentative of the Secretary-General for Timor-Leste and Head of Mission.

Before giving him the floor, I wish to welcomethe Special Representative of the Secretary-General,Mr. Sharma, to the Security Council, where, as we allknow, he has many friends.

Special Representative of the Secretary-GeneralSharma has effectively overseen and managed acomplex operation that has adjusted and adaptedresponsively to the changing situations on the groundand has successfully launched important peacekeepinginnovations such as the United Nations executive rolein policing and the provision of civilian advisers to theGovernment. Here in New York, the Security Councilhas benefited from an excellent flow of informationand analyses from his office that has allowed us tofollow closely developments within Timor-Leste and tomake decisions as required.

It is a pleasure to receive Mr. Kamalesh Sharmawithin this Chamber, which is tempered only by ourregret that, as we understand, this will be our lastopportunity to welcome him in this capacity.

On behalf of the members of the Council, I wishto take this opportunity to thank the SpecialRepresentative of the Secretary-General, Mr. KamaleshSharma, for his contributions and to wish him everysuccess in future.

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I give the floor to Mr. Sharma.

Mr. Sharma: I wish to thank you, Sir, for yourvery kind words. I appreciate them very much. It is apleasure for me that our consideration of this item istaking place under your presidency.

I have the honour, as you have said, Sir, topresent my final statement as Special Representative ofthe Secretary-General for Timor-Leste before theSecurity Council. I would like at the outset to thankmembers of the Council, who have been throughoutappreciative and encouraging of our efforts towardsassisting in the stability and self-reliance of Timor-Leste. This has been a great support for the entire teamof the United Nations Mission of Support in EastTimor (UNMISET), whose contribution andcommitment in implementing the Council’s mandate Iwould also like to acknowledge here with deepappreciation. The contribution of some of them willcarry on in the additional year of the consolidationphase, which proposal is before the Council, before theexceptional association of the United Nations with thenewly independent State of Timor-Leste in the form ofpeacekeeping missions draws to a close. I am confidentthat, should the Council endorse the proposal, the teamwill show the necessary dedication during that phaseand will give to my successor the support I havereceived.

It is the plain truth that a United Nations missioncannot show consistently positive results unless thereis close, constructive and continuous consultation andexchange based on trust with the leadership of thecountry. My experience has been notable andheartening in this respect, and I would like to place onrecord my grateful appreciation to the Government ofTimor-Leste for the cooperative and forward-lookingorientation and the spirit of joint striving whichcharacterized our efforts. They constitute, I believe, amodel of collaboration. Most importantly, of course,my gratitude goes to President Xanana Gusmão, PrimeMinister Mari Alkatiri, and President of the NationalParliament Francisco Guterres “Lu-Olo” and ForeignMinister Ramos-Horta. Over two years, I maintained apattern of weekly meetings with the Prime Ministerand had very frequent meetings with the other leaders.They were at all times ready to receive me and offertheir full cooperation and advice in furthering themandate charged to us by the Council. In a complexand ambitious mandate, it is inevitable that there wouldbe rough passages as well as smooth ones. We brought

understanding to each other’s tasks in negotiating theway ahead.

It is particularly appropriate that, as anexceptional gesture, we have Senior Minister AnaPessoa participating in this meeting of the Council,which will be the last one under the current mandate. Ihave no doubt that the Council will profit greatly fromthe personal presence of Minister Ana Pessoa, and Iwould also like to thank her for the effort she hasundertaken to participate in the meeting today.

I would like to acknowledge with satisfaction thefact that the engagement of peacekeeping missions inTimor-Leste is widely described as having been asuccessful one. I myself characterize the outcomes andresult as encouraging. That is not because I have anyreservations on the success of our engagement, butbecause we know from the experience of the last halfcentury that for success to be embedded and durable,unremitting effort and belief in the highest values ofdemocratic and participative governance have to bedemonstrated over a long period. All too often, whathad appeared a success story has turned sour. Successis a retrospective judgement that — when we look backafter decades and take satisfaction at the fact of afoundation so solidly laid, and a positive andenlightened direction of policy based on the rule of lawand principles of transparency and accountability sofirmly adhered to — the national accomplishment canbe regarded as irreversible and as a lastingachievement by the political class and the people.

To ensure that outcome, which can be obtainedonly after much tenacity and effort, the primaryimperative in a new nation is the dedication of theleadership to building and respecting institutions thatreflect those values. In the formative years of anindependent nation, it is essential that the leadershippursue a vision — and advocate and advance principlesin its political and administrative conduct andpractices — which will bear the judgement of historyand succeeding generations. The scrutiny andevaluation of the direction and example given by thefirst leaders of any nation never slackens, as theirexample has to stand the test of time.

The quality of governance and of the institutionsof the State can be progressively built upon only if thefoundations are strong. That is a responsibility of trulyhistoric proportions which the first leaders carry ontheir shoulders, and it is appropriate that they should

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already see their actions and contributions in thathistorical perspective and not be guided only byfleeting or convenient considerations of the moment.That entails care to safeguard the means of policy andnot only the ends. I believe this is a test which the firstleadership of Timor-Leste is equipped to discharge tothe lasting benefit of present and succeedinggenerations.

While enlightened leadership is the leadingingredient in the social and political success of a State,it is equally true that — particularly in the context of aprogressively interdependent world and the explosiverise in the expectations of all peoples — the quality aswell as the empathy of the engagement of the outsideworld, as development partners, particularly bycountries of the neighbourhood and the economicallybetter-endowed partners, are equally crucial. We haveto ensure the strength of supportive partnerships. It ishoped that the nascent State of Timor-Leste, burdenedby the trauma of history and among the States with thehighest levels of poverty and the most depressed socialindicators in the world, will benefit from theunderstanding and supportiveness of the outside world,which will assist it on the path to stability, increasingprosperity and the enhancement of the quality of lifeand choices for its people. This is a challenge whichwe cannot fail to meet. No lasting political or socialgain can accrue without economic growth and socialdevelopment.

The main developments of interest in thepreceding half year have been reflected in report beforethe Council (S/2004/333), and I can therefore — nodoubt to everyone’s relief — compress what I have tosay on the various elements of the mandate pertainingto external and internal security and support for publicadministration.

The national police — the Policia Nacional deTimor-Leste (PNTL) — now bears responsibility forpolicing in all 13 districts and for a vast majority ofheadquarter functions. As stated in the report, we areconfident about transferring executive responsibilityfor policing to Timor-Leste at a minute past midnighton 19 May. The contribution of Police CommissionerSandra Peisley has been my strength in theperformance of the mandated task of maintaining lawand order and developing the PNTL as an effectiveforce. While the Council should be reasonably satisfiedwith the development of PNTL capacities so far, thecreation of a professional, apolitical, accountable and

responsive police service, with well-establishedtraditions of integrity and a mindset of service to thecommunity, will take longer. The recent approval bythe Council of Ministers of an Organic Law on thePNTL, the Organic Law on the Ministry of Interior anda disciplinary code for the PNTL are the essential firststeps in that direction. I remain convinced that theGovernment of Timor-Leste will ensure effectiveutilization of the mentoring capacities to be providedby the 157 police officers proposed during theconsolidation phase of UNMISET, in conjunction withother long-term bilateral and multilateral programmesfor police development.

The military component of UNMISET hascontinued to be downsized according to the revisedschedule that was approved in Security Councilresolution 1473 (2003). Its presence over the past twoyears of UNMISET has been a factor promotingstability and the consolidation of a still fragile peace.On this occasion, I would like to place on record myappreciation of the three Force Commanders, GeneralWinai Phattiyakul, General Tan Huck Gim and GeneralKhairuddin Mat Yusof. Their dedication to their task,their ability to motivate the UNMISET militarycomponent and their advice and support to me havealso been a great strength.

At this time, I wish to draw the attention of theCouncil to the very useful and necessary work that theengineers in UNMISET’s military component havebeen doing in maintaining the major arteries of theroad system in Timor-Leste, which I have previouslyacknowledged. Without continued international supportfor that task, the capacity for rapid response to post-UNMISET security challenges would be rapidlydegraded all over the country. It would also pose a hostof challenges for continued economic development andwould threaten fragmentation of essential socialfunctions. Bilateral and multilateral assistance willplay a crucial role in meeting that challenge.

The efforts of both Indonesia and Timor-Leste tofind a solution to the transitional issues, particularlythose related to refugees and the demarcation of theland border, have been detailed in the report before theCouncil. I would like to place on record my deepappreciation of the accessibility and the encouragementfrom the leadership of Indonesia which I have enjoyedin the pursuit of the task of assisting on thosetransitional issues, which are part of UNMISET’smandate. It is to be expected that not all aspects of a

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developing bilateral relationship would be amenable tospeedy resolution within a couple of years of theemergence of Timor-Leste as an independent State.However, I believe that considerable advances havebeen made in many directions, that structures ofconstructive cooperation have been created andemployed and that the political signals at the highestlevels from both States have been conducive toconstructing a relationship of friendship, goodwill andcooperation, unburdened by history. We can lookforward with high expectations to the future course ofthe relationship.

Reports — though unconfirmed — of criminalelements, many of them armed, both inside and outsideTimor-Leste, continue to be received. However,Indonesia’s commitment to controlling such elementsis encouraging, as are the continuing efforts of Timor-Leste to develop the capabilities of its securityagencies to deal with such criminal elements, includingthrough the establishment of a Rapid DeploymentService of the PNTL, which will operate in ruralborder areas. UNMISET would continue to cooperatewith the Government of Timor-Leste in building thecapacities of the specialized units of the PNTL,including the training of the rapid deployment serviceduring the consolidation phase.

Through its institution- and capacity-buildingactivities, UNMISET has contributed significantly tothe viability and political stability of the Stateinstitutions of Timor-Leste, including throughmentoring and coaching Timorese counterparts,assistance in the preparation of legal frameworks,formalizing related rules and regulations andinstitutionalization of operational procedures.

The innovative and pioneering experimentsanctioned by Security Council resolution 1410 (2002)revealed that the requirements for human andinstitutional capacity development were far moredemanding than originally envisaged, requiring thepresence of most critically important advisor positionsbeyond May 2004. A robust exit strategy to ensuresustainability will be the major challenge during theconsolidation phase of the mission. Likewise, theassistance provided through the serious crimesprogramme of UNMISET offers crucial reinforcementto the Council’s commitment that perpetrators of suchcrimes shall be brought to justice. It also helps tostrengthen Timorese capacities in the justice sector.

A healthy and functioning justice sector in Timor-Leste is crucial for the overall functioning of thedemocratic institutions and thus is fundamental inensuring good governance. The recruitment ofinternational judges to fill the current gaps wouldtherefore be accorded priority attention. However, thesustainability of the justice sector can be achieved onlythrough the direct support of bilateral and multilateraldevelopment partners. This must be not only animmediate priority, but also a much needed long-termstrategy.

Social peace, security and stability are, of course,a prerequisite for sustainable gains in areas ofgovernance and economic development. Enhancedtransparency and accountability in governance providea healthy tone to the political culture and alsocontribute to better and more effective utilization ofexternal assistance. Through the Provedor, orombudsman, Act and workshops in this area, inaddition to the office of the Inspector General, theGovernment has signalled its commitment to theseprinciples. Similarly, enhanced cooperation betweenthe wider United Nations system of agencies, fundsand programmes and international financialinstitutions, as well as bilateral actors and civil society,in support of national programmes would contributetowards a holistic approach. In that regard, I would likeonce again to acknowledge the sterling support givento me by Deputy Special Representative of theSecretary-General and Resident Coordinator SukehiroHasegawa.

Being acutely conscious of the need for a smoothdownsizing of the Mission, we had established acommittee in good time to ensure that all elements fora proper handover to the Government, or otherapplicable means of disposal of assets, were in place.Since I last addressed the Council in October 2003,considerable progress has been made in the orderlydownsizing of the Mission. Planning for what wouldhave been the final repatriation of the peacekeepingforce (PKF), the United Nations police and thesubstantive elements of the civilian staff had reachedan advanced stage before it was overtaken by theplanning for the much smaller follow-on mission nowproposed. Much of the earlier work, however, remainsrelevant. The permanent PKF presences in Suai andOecussi were withdrawn, and United Nations andcontingent-owned equipment assets in those locations

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were largely recovered or donated to the Governmentof Timor-Leste.

In keeping with our policy of handing back to theGovernment fully functional facilities where this ispossible, two United Nations-owned facilities inSuai — the former Sector West Headquarters and thePKF Forward Surgical Team hospital, complete withmedical equipment — were donated to the Governmentin December 2003. The Government has to meet thechallenge of meeting the operational requirements.During liquidation, environmental considerations havebeen respected.

The drawdown of United Nations police and theprogressive handover of policing responsibility to thePNTL have been accompanied by the donation ofUnited Nations-owned equipment in police stations.UNMISET continues to provide essential telephoneservices down to substation level, where TimorTelecom cannot provide this service, and provisionallyfull operation of the police VHF radio network. Itappears that without some significant development inlocal capability, UNMISET will have little choice butto continue this support well into the period of theproposed follow-on mission.

I am pleased to report that the downsizing of thenational staff has not caused us any appreciabledifficulty, largely due to the efforts of the Division ofAdministration, particularly its Director, Philip Cooper,to improve their job skills and to accord recognitionthrough certificates of the experience gained by themwhile employed by the United Nations. Trainingcourses have been run in software programmes —Word, Excel, Access, Power Point — computerhardware, web design, language training in English andPortuguese, office administration, small businessdevelopment, proposal writing, formal documentationand the establishment of cooperatives andmicrofinance.

These initiatives have been appreciated by thenational staff. The return of the national staff’s pensioncontributions within one month of the end of theircontracts by the United Nations Joint Staff PensionFund has also contributed positively to the morale ofthose staff. Expanding and new missions of theDepartment of Peacekeeping Operations have absorbedmost of the international staff who have soughtcontinued employment with the United Nations.

Before I conclude, let me express my deep thanksto the Secretariat, particularly Jean-Marie Guéhenno,Hédi Annabi, Julian Harston and the efficient deskofficers assisting us in our work in the field, as well astheir colleagues in other specialized units of theDepartment of Peacekeeping Operations and otherdepartments of the Secretariat. Their availability,guidance and unfailing support have left an indelibleimpression on me.

The President: Before opening the floor, I wouldlike to say that, in accordance with the understandingreached among Council members, I would like toremind all speakers to limit their statements to no morethan five minutes in order to enable the Council tocarry out its work expeditiously. Delegations withlonger statements are kindly requested to circulate afull text in writing and to deliver a condensed versionwhen addressing the Council in this Chamber.

Mr. Konuzin (Russian Federation) (spoke inRussian): We are grateful to you, Sir, for expressingsolidarity with Russia on behalf of the SecurityCouncil in connection with the terrorist attack on mycountry. I shall convey your words of sympathy to theRussian Federation and all the victims of the tragedy.

Our Organization was established immediatelyafter a most cruel and devastating war that broughtmankind untold grief. Millions upon millions died andmy own country suffered enormous loss of life.Yesterday was 9 May, a day sacred to the citizens ofRussia and all peoples of the Soviet Union. On the veryanniversary of victory in the great war for thefatherland, when countries in the anti-Hitler coalitionand all people of good will commemorated the end ofthe Second World War, a monstrous terrorist act wascommitted in the Chechen Republic of the RussianFederation. In Grozny, during the celebrationscommemorating the crushing of fascism, a terroristexplosion killed the legally elected President ofChechnya, Akhmad Kadyrov. Others died and many,including children, were wounded.

This crime was committed at a time when theChechen Republic was gradually intensifying its effortsto restore a peaceful way of life. Refugees werereturning home, the economy was recovering andpolitical activity was increasing. It was preciselythat — the normalization of the situation in theRepublic — that drew the fury of terrorists who areblinded by hatred for all mankind and who are doomed

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to oblivion. Today, in every mosque in Chechnya, theyare praying for the victims of this act of terrorism andcursing the murderers.

The bloody trail of terrorism can be seenthroughout the world: Russia, the United States,Indonesia, Spain, Saudi Arabia and the Middle East.International terrorism, the black plague of the twenty-first century, can be countered only if we work togetherand form the united front of an international anti-terrorist coalition. Russia will participate in thatstruggle. Victory will be ours.

My delegation has prepared a draft presidentialstatement in connection with the terrorist attack inGrozny. May I ask you, Sir, to convene consultationsfollowing this meeting in order to consider it?

I now turn to the item on the Security Council’sagenda today. We are grateful for the Secretary-General’s report on Timor-Leste, containing detailedinformation on developments in that country. Webelieve that it accurately reflects both the achievementsof and the main problems facing Timor-Leste. Weagree with the report’s conclusion concerning the needto extend the United Nations Mission of Support inEast Timor (UNMISET) beyond 20 May for anadditional 12-month consolidation phase, in a reducedsize and with a modified mandate. We support theSecretary-General’s suggestions for the parameters ofan extended UNMISET, including the newrecommendation for the establishment of aninternational response unit of 125 gendarmerie.

We are grateful to Brazil for having prepared adraft resolution on the basis of the Secretary-General’srecommendations and we are prepared to participateconstructively towards its adoption.

We welcome the further stabilization in Timor-Leste and commend the Timor authorities on theirsuccess in developing the basic State institutions. Wenote the progress achieved in legislation with a view tothe adoption of several important laws and regulationsgoverning the activities of individual public bodies,determining procedures for local elections andregulating various aspects of social and political life inthe country. We expect that Timor-Leste will soonadopt key laws on the national police and defence,which are essential to establishing a truly independentforce to provide internal and external security for thecountry.

We welcome the establishment of the NationalElectoral Commission, the first test of which will bethe preparation of local elections in the last quarter ofthis year. We share the view that external assistancewill be necessary to the successful holding of theelections and we urge the donor community to provideTimor-Leste with the support it needs for thepreparation and convening of those elections.

We welcome the ongoing development ofTimorese-Indonesian relations. The two countries haveexpressed their desire to establish genuine good-neighbourly and mutually beneficial relations, whichprovides grounds for hope that there will soon be asettlement of pending matters, including the importantissue of demarcating and monitoring the commonborder. Timor-Leste’s economic development will alsobenefit from positive movement in bilateral talks withAustralia on developing and allocating underwaterpetroleum resources.

In conclusion, we thank Mr. Kamalesh Sharma,the Special Representative of the Secretary-General forEast Timor, and the entire UNMISET staff for theirreal contribution to a settlement on the island.

Mr. Lucas (Angola): At the outset, I want toconvey the condolences of the Angolan delegation tothe Russian Government and to the families of thevictims of yesterday’s terrorist bomb attack in Grozny,Chechnya.

We are grateful for the convening of this meetingon the situation in Timor-Leste. We welcome and thankMr. Kamalesh Sharma, the Special Representative ofthe Secretary-General, for presenting the report on theactivities of the United Nations Mission of Support inEast Timor (UNMISET).

We welcome the participation in this meeting ofthe Security Council of Mrs. Ana Pessoa Pinto,Minister of State and Minister in the Presidency of theCouncil of Ministers of Timor-Leste. We also expressour agreement with the statement that therepresentative of Brazil will deliver on behalf of theCommunity of Portuguese-Speaking Countries.

We are gratified by the contents of the reportportraying remarkable achievements by the Timoresepeople in building their country in such a short periodof time. It is our belief that those achievements laysolid grounds for the further involvement andcooperation of the international community with

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Timor-Leste. My delegation reiterates Angola’scommitment to the objectives set by the Timoresepeople and by the international community ofestablishing a truly self-sufficient State based on therule of law, on respect for human rights and ondemocratic values.

The Secretary-General’s report mentionsimportant steps recently taken by the TimoreseGovernment towards the consolidation of the TimoreseState. Taking into account their structural impact, wedeem of great importance the steps taken in preparationfor the first elections and the legislative reformsassociated with it; the adoption of legislation for keypublic institutions, such as the Superior Council ofDefence and Security, the Interior Ministry and thenational police; the addressing of serious crimescommitted in 1999; and the continued strengthening ofthe institutions of political and public administration.We are encouraged by the very positive nation-buildingdevelopments in Timor-Leste at a moment when thecountry has reached a dramatic threshold and when,with every passing day, the Timorese are assumingfurther responsibilities in the conduct of their ownaffairs.

The political and institutional progress achievedby Timor-Leste over the past two years is impressive; itshows the great wisdom of the Timorese people and ofits leadership. We note with appreciation the increasedstability in the security situation in Timor-Leste. Wefully share the Government’s assessment of its limitedability to cope with internal and external securitychallenges. We further share the Secretary-General’sconclusion, highlighted in his report (S/2004/333), thatTimor needs more assistance from the internationalcommunity in order to guarantee the consolidation andlong-term sustainability of its administrative institutions,the rule of law and its territorial sovereignty.

The emerging institutions — principally thepublic administration, the justice sector and thenational police — are still fragile. We think that Timor-Leste will need the continued support of the UnitedNations and of the international community at large.The continued presence of UNMISET gives confidenceto the Timorese people and contributes to themaintenance of security and stability.

My delegation acknowledges that this is a crucialmoment in the history of Timor, and that theinternational community should be prepared to sustain

the efforts it has been deploying in favour of Timor-Leste for quite some time, and in so doing to ensure thebest possible conditions for the sustainability of thepeace-building process in Timor-Leste.

My delegation supports the recommendations setout in the report of the Secretary-General on the role,size and format of UNMISET and on key nationalsupport programmes. It is our belief that the revisedmultifunctional mandate of UNMISET, when fullyimplemented, will result in better functioning ofnational institutions, ensure the development of therule of law, promote better security and stability andensure a self-sustainable Timor-Leste. My delegationsupports the extension of UNMISET’s mandate for afurther one-year consolidation phase and believes thatdecisions on the future presence of a United Nationsmission should be taken in due time and in accordancewith circumstances on the ground.

The relations between Timor-Leste and itsneighbours — particularly Indonesia and Australia —are an important factor in the situation in the country.We praise the commitment made by those two keycountries to the future of Timor-Leste, the constructivedialogue they are undertaking on issues of mutualinterest, in particular those concerning the demarcationand management of the common border. My delegationencourages bilateral donors to continue to providetimely and appropriate assistance for the consolidationof peace and the development of Timor-Leste.

In conclusion, we commend the SpecialRepresentative of the Secretary-General for Timor-Leste, Mr. Kamalesh Sharma, and UNMISET for therole they have played, and we reiterate our confidencethat the Timorese will build a stable, prosperous anddemocratic society.

Mr. Duclos (France) (spoke in French): I toowant to thank Mr. Kamalesh Sharma for his briefing;we are sorry that he is leaving his post.

The Permanent Representative of Ireland will bemaking a statement on behalf of the European Union,with which my delegation fully associates itself.

Mr. President, you requested that we be as briefas possible, so I shall not repeat previous speakers’analysis, which reflected the fact that significantprogress has been achieved in Timor-Leste and thatthat progress needs to be consolidated. Here, let menote that, in our view, very careful consideration must

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be given to combating impunity for serious crimescommitted in 1999.

We draw two conclusions from the analyses.First, France supports a one-year extension of theUnited Nations Mission of Support in East Timor(UNMISET), with a modified mandate and reductionsin personnel. Secondly, in our view it is now veryimportant that an UNMISET exit strategy succeed; weshould try to define that exit strategy well in advance.It is important that the next resolution include anumber of elements: setting a deadline for thewithdrawal of the force; refocusing the mandate onassistance to the Timorese authorities to enable them tocarry out reforms; a system for reviewing personnellevels at the end of the year; and strengthenedcoordination of the international community’s action soas to ensure a smooth handover to transition anddevelopment partners, such as the relevant UnitedNations agencies, international financial institutionsand bilateral partners.

Mr. Thomson (United Kingdom): At the outset, Ishould like to associate my delegation with the sadnessthat others have expressed at the loss of life in Grozny.

Turning to the item on our agenda, I would likeparticularly to welcome the presence here of SeniorMinister Ana Pessoa Pinto. We look forward to hearingher views. I take the effort she has made to be heretoday not only as a gesture to acknowledge the newphase that the United Nations Mission of Support inEast Timor (UNMISET) is entering, but also as anacknowledgement of all that Kamalesh Sharma hasachieved over his two years of close work with theGovernment and the people of Timor-Leste. We thankhim for what he has done.

I would like also to associate my delegation withthe statement to be made by Ireland on behalf of theEuropean Union later in this debate.

We believe that the Secretary-General has made acompelling case for the extension of UNMISET’smandate for a further one-year consolidation phase. Itis important to ensure that the investments of theinternational community and the achievements of theTimorese people and Government are not undermined.We look forward to engaging in negotiations this weekon a draft resolution to extend UNMISET in a reducedform and with a modified mandate that reflects acoherent exit strategy. We welcome the fact thatdifferences over the makeup of the security component

of the follow-on mission appear now to have beenresolved to the satisfaction of all concerned. We thankthe Department of Peacekeeping Operations for itsefforts in that regard.

The Secretary-General’s report (S/2004/333) setsout clearly the areas where progress has been achievedand those where continued international support isrequired. I will not dwell on them, but it is clearly thecase that a smooth buildup in the governance capacityof East Timor is necessary for a smooth UNMISETdrawdown. We welcome the strengthening of keypublic institutions, in particular through the passage ofthe Civil Service Act and the Organic Law on theOffice of the Presidency, and we commend the positivesteps that have been made in preparation for electionslater this year, including the establishment of the NationalElectoral Commission and the finalizing of the legalframework under which the elections can take place.

Areas where the United Kingdom is particularlykeen to see further progress include the establishmentof necessary legal and institutional frameworks such asa defence act and prison legislation, clarification of theroles and responsibilities of the Timorese police andarmed forces, and improvement in the administrationof justice.

Finally, we welcome the continued constructivecooperation between Indonesia and Timor-Leste. Wehope that that will facilitate the early resolution ofoutstanding issues, including agreement on a landborder and the provision of justice for thoseresponsible for serious crimes in 1999. With respect tothe latter point, it is important that the work of theSerious Crimes Unit should continue.

Mr. Baali (Algeria) (spoke in French): I shouldlike at the outset to express my sincere condolencesand sympathy to the Russian delegation following thehorrible terrorist attack that claimed the lives of thePresident of the Chechen Republic of the RussianFederation, Mr. Akhmad Kadyrov, and others.

Next, I would like to thank AmbassadorKamalesh Sharma for his excellent briefing on thesituation in Timor-Leste and to congratulate him on thework that he and his team have accomplished in thatcountry. Finally, I wish to welcome the presence of Ms.Ana Pessoa Pinto.

We have noted that, in recent months, Timor-Leste has made significant progress in the areas of

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security and economic and social development, thanksto the efforts of the Government and the people ofTimor-Leste, but also to the valuable assistance of theUnited Nations Mission of Support in East Timor(UNMISET). However, a number of challenges remainto be met to better ensure stability, democracy andjustice and to strengthen internal and external securityand border control. Those are major challenges to thepeace-building process in the young republic of Timor-Leste, but we are confident that they will be met withsuccess.

From that perspective, the elections to beorganized in villages — the first elections in Timor-Leste — are a major test for the young republic.Important measures taken in preparation for thoseelections are timely and appropriate in that they willenable us to lay the groundwork for the electoralprocess in the country and will establish conditions forsuccess for the first national elections. My delegationcan only welcome that.

The development of Timor-Leste’s relations withall its neighbours will benefit the young republiceconomically, but also from a political and securitystandpoint. In that regard, we welcome the continuedimprovement of the relations between Timor-Leste andIndonesia, which has been made possible by the far-sightedness of their leaders. We hope that the twoparties will soon reach agreement on the demarcationof their land borders, given the importance of that issuefor the security of both countries. The willingness ofboth parties to establish good-neighbourly relationsenables us to hope that they will swiftly resolvepending issues, because we believe that animprovement in bilateral relations will contributegreatly to the consolidation of the stability and securityof Timor-Leste.

Along the same lines, we hope that thenegotiations between Timor-Leste and Australia on thequestion of the maritime border will move forward andthat an agreement will soon be concluded, in view ofthat issue’s importance for the exploitation of mineralresources in the Timor Sea, which will undoubtedlybenefit the economy of the Democratic Republic ofTimor-Leste.

As the report of the Secretary-General(S/2004/333) indicates, there have been delays withregard to the administration of justice and the trainingof the police. While responsibility for policing should

be transferred to the national police of Timor-Leste on19 May — and we welcome that — we believe thatcontinued support for the training of the national policeis necessary, since the establishment of publicadministration and the strengthening of internal andexternal security capacities are fundamental elementsfor Timor-Leste’s viability and political stability.UNMISET’s work in training the Timorese police hashad very positive results; we therefore believe that itshould continue during the consolidation phase.

The maintenance of external security alsorequires UNMISET’s presence to follow up ondevelopments in the security situation and to supportdemarcation activities. We feel that the Secretary-General’s recommendations in that area are reasonableand deserve support.

Timor-Leste will continue to need financialsupport from the international community for sometime. The support of United Nations funds andprogrammes, of international financial institutions andof multilateral and bilateral donors must be sustainedand generous so that the country can attain theobjectives of its national development plan.

Finally, we support the Secretary-General’srecommendations concerning the extension ofUNMISET’s mandate for a one-year consolidationperiod.

Mr. Pleuger (Germany): Let me first address theRussian delegation in condemning the terrorist bombattack in Grozny and in expressing our sympathy andour condolences to the Government of the RussianFederation and to the victims and the bereavedfamilies.

My delegation is grateful for the comprehensivebriefing by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Timor-Leste, Ambassador KamaleshSharma, and for the report of the Secretary-General of29 April on the situation in Timor-Leste (S/2004/333).In that connection, I would like to welcome thepresence of Senior Minister Ana Pessoa Pinto as sheparticipates in this Council meeting. I would also liketo say that Germany aligns itself with the statement tobe made later in this discussion by the representative ofIreland on behalf of the European Union.

Germany commends the tremendous progressachieved by the people and the Government of Timor-Leste and by the United Nations Mission of Support in

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East Timor (UNMISET). The Special Representative ofthe Secretary-General, Kamalesh Sharma, deserves ourspecial tribute. We also welcome the excellentcommunication and goodwill that have characterizedrelations between Timor-Leste and Indonesia. Timor-Leste can rightly be described as a success story and asa true model for nation-building. Over the past fiveyears, significant progress has been continuouslyachieved in all relevant areas.

Whereas the security situation has generally beencalm and peaceful, certain deficits remain. The Timoresepolice unit — the Policia Nacional de Timor-Leste —continues to suffer from a number of institutionalweaknesses. Reports of the presence of armed groupsare still a matter of concern. Unfortunately, we mustacknowledge that the development of indigenousTimorese security capabilities remains at an earlystage. We must also acknowledge the concern of theTimorese Government that an early withdrawal of theinternational security presence could lead to adeterioration of the situation. It is important that,during the consolidation phase, UNMISET retain someresidual security-related elements to support Timor-Leste’s ability to maintain its security and stability. Wemust make sure that the progress achieved so far will notbe lost. Germany therefore supports the recommendationof the Secretary-General to extend the mandate ofUNMISET, including its military component.

The development of relations between Timor-Leste and Indonesia continues to benefit from thecommitment to cooperation at the highest politicallevel. However, as the report of the Secretary-Generalpoints out, some problems remain. We therefore callupon both parties to finalize the agreement on theborder line, to conclude an arrangement formanagement of the border — including in the areas ofcooperation and security and the regulation ofeconomic activity — and to solve other outstandingissues, such as bringing to justice those responsible forserious crimes committed in 1999 and the return ofrefugees. Despite considerable efforts, 300 unresolvedcases of Timorese children separated from theirfamilies in 1999 still demand attention. Progress inthose areas will be crucial for the internal and externalsecurity of Timor-Leste.

National reconciliation is a key factor insuccessful nation-building. We therefore commend thework of UNMISET also with regard to the other twoareas of its mandate: first, support for the public

administration and justice system, and for justice in thearea of serious crimes; and, secondly, support for thedevelopment of law enforcement.

We support the recommendation of the Secretary-General to continue this Mission. The envisagedconfiguration of 58 civilian advisers could help Timor-Leste cross a critical threshold of self-sufficiency interms of developing key skills and capabilities whilehelping to ensure that essential tasks are discharged.

The international community’s peacekeepingactivities in Timor-Leste have provided a window ofopportunity for progress. The extraordinaryachievements that have been made offer an occasionfor pride for the Timorese people and for theinternational community. We call on the Governmentsof Timor-Leste and of Indonesia to take theopportunity to resolve the outstanding issues before thefinal termination of UNMISET. We highly support andrecommend the assistance of UNMISET in thisendeavour upon request from both parties.

There is good reason to believe that further jointefforts will enable the Timorese people to achieve theobjective of a truly self-sufficient State, which theyhave pursued with such determination. Theinternational community should stay committed toachieving that goal.

Mr. Wang Guangya (China) (spoke in Chinese):We would like to express our strongest condemnationof the terrorist attack that took place on 9 May inGrozny, Chechnya, in the Russian Federation. Weconvey our condolences to the bereaved families of thevictims and express our sympathy to the wounded.

I should like to thank the Secretary-General forhis report on the United Nations Mission of Support inEast Timor (UNMISET). I wish also to welcome thesupplementary briefing by Mr. Sharma.

In a few days, the people of East Timor will becelebrating the second anniversary of theirindependence. We are pleased to see that, with thesupport of the international community, the people ofEast Timor, through their creativity and hard work,have achieved considerable progress in all areas in theprocess of nation-building. The Government of EastTimor has been effectively fulfilling its nationaladministrative functions, and the social and economicdevelopment of East Timor has taken an encouragingfirst step. Its relationship with its neighbours is

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continuing to improve and develop. Indeed, the peopleof East Timor can justly be proud of their remarkableachievements.

At this stage, the Government of East Timor isactively preparing for local elections throughout thecountry and will further develop its civil service,judicial and law-enforcement systems. We believe thatthose measures will have a positive impact on thefuture development of East Timor.

As a nascent State, East Timor continues to face ahost of challenges in its quest for national stability andfor economic and social development. The functions ofthe Government of East Timor need to be furtherstrengthened. Indeed, the building of its infrastructure,as well as electoral preparations, are being hamperedby financial difficulties. The administrative andjudicial capacity of regions beyond Dili remains weak.In order fully to achieve social stability and sustainableeconomic development, the Government and thepeople of East Timor must make even greater efforts,and the continued support of the internationalcommunity remains indispensable.

We appreciate the active role played byUNMISET in the development and construction of EastTimor. We endorse the Secretary-General’srecommendation to extend UNMISET and to adjust itssize and mandate appropriately. We hope that theSecurity Council will adopt the relevant draftresolution as soon as possible.

We appeal to the international community tocontinue to provide assistance for the development ofEast Timor. China will, as always, support andparticipate in the economic reconstruction of EastTimor. We are confident that the people of East Timorwill achieve even greater accomplishments in future inthe building of their nation.

Mr. Muñoz (Chile) (spoke in Spanish): Let mefirst join in the condolences expressed with regard tothe terrorist attack in Grozny which took the life ofPresident of the Chechen Republic of the RussianFederation, Akhmad Kadyrov, and a number of othervictims. We are prepared to work on a presidentialstatement to be made by the Council.

We welcome the briefing on Timor-Leste and theoutstanding work done by the Special Representativeof the Secretary-General, Mr. Kamalesh Sharma, andhis team. We welcome also the presence here of the

Senior Minister and Minister in the Presidency of theCouncil of Ministers of Timor-Leste, Ms. Ana PessoaPinto.

Chile supports the Secretary-General’s proposalto extend the present United Nations Mission ofSupport in East Timor (UNMISET) for an additional12 months in a consolidation phase, and we believethat the proposed mandate is appropriate.

Regarding the first element referred to in thereport, we fully agree that the provision of assistancewith respect to the justice system and administrativestructures is essential for political viability andstability. We are concerned by the extensive delays inthe area of the administration of justice and by theshortcomings noted in the area of human rights andrelated proceedings, and we agree that there is a needto promote capacity in that area.

As to the second aspect, namely strengtheninglaw enforcement in the country, in particular throughpolice training, we agree that there is a need forUNMISET and the international community tocontinue contributing to and supporting the trainingprocess for the national police of Timor-Leste. Wewelcome in particular the fact that its 3,021 staffmembers are already carrying out their tasks in alldistricts of the country. We reiterate the vital functionof the Rapid Intervention Unit, and we welcome thefact that an adequate level of capability has beenachieved. We deem it crucial also to continue toprovide training for the Border Patrol Unit. Despite theprogress achieved, we believe that the national policemust continue with its training.

With respect to the third element, namely themaintenance of security, we agree that this is a keyelement for achieving stability in Timor-Leste. While itis true that — fortunately — the situation in thecountry has been rather peaceful, we need to bear inmind all factors and not ignore possible sources ofinstability. We believe, therefore, that the Secretary-General’s proposal is appropriate and reasonable.

Another essential element for achieving progressand true stability in Timor-Leste is sustainableeconomic development. In that respect, we hope thatgreater progress will be made in the exploitation of thecountry’s mineral resources. We would also highlightthe programmes financed by the World Bank and theAsian Development Bank for the creation of ruralpower stations, the construction of schools, road

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improvements, and the rehabilitation of marketplacesand health services.

We are pleased with the excellent cooperation andpolitical agreements between Timor-Leste andIndonesia. We hope that they will soon arrive at anagreement on land borders and find a solution to theproblem of refugees, in particular regarding thoseresponsible for serious crimes, so that they may bebrought to trial.

We also recognize the outstanding work andefforts of other regional actors and of donors from theinternational community with respect to this youngcountry.

In the area of human rights, we value theassistance provided by UNMISET in efforts to shedlight on the crimes committed in 1999, and werecognize the need to continue decisively supportingthe process for an additional year. In that connection,we particularly welcome the work carried out by theCommission for Reception, Truth and Reconciliation.We look forward with interest to the publication of itsfinal report and recommendations in October of thisyear.

Finally, we reiterate the need for a one-yearextension of UNMISET, in a reduced size and with amodified mandate. We hope that the members of theCouncil will reach an agreement in that regard tosupport development and stability in Timor-Leste.

Mr. Holliday (United States of America): We toowould like to extend our condolences and our thoughtsand prayers for the victims of the terrorist action inGrozny, which killed President Kadyrov and others.We look forward to working on a presidentialstatement on that matter.

I would like to welcome Senior Minister AnaPessoa to New York. We would also like to thankAmbassador Sharma for his presentation today and forhis outstanding work as the Secretary-General’sSpecial Representative at the head of the UnitedNations Mission of Support in East Timor(UNMISET). His untiring efforts to promote politicaland economic development in East Timor will have alasting effect on that new country.

As we stated in February, we agree with theSecretary-General that UNMISET should be extendedto consolidate gains made during the past two years ofthe Mission, and we thank the Secretary-General for

his revision of the components of the extendedMission. Although we recognize that at this time anUNMISET extension will increase stability in Timor-Leste, we believe the peacekeeping mission should endno later than May 2005, at which time the Governmentshould resume full responsibility for its own securitywhile continuing to receive support from elsewhere inthe United Nations system and from other members ofthe international community.

The Government and the people of Timor-Lestehave made considerable strides towards self-sufficiency. With further assistance from theinternational donor community, United Nationsagencies and UNMISET, we hope that the Timoresecan increase public administrative capacity, developstrong security institutions and establish a strongjudicial tradition with emphasis on human rights andthe rule of law. Given the current limited capacity ofTimor-Leste’s public administration, we agree thatfurther support from UNMISET in the form of civilianadvisers will be necessary for the development of anindependent, functioning civil administration. Weexpect that any assistance in that regard past May 2005would be provided through normal bilateral andmultilateral donor support.

We were encouraged to learn that since theSecretary-General’s latest report (S/2004/333) waspublished, the Government of Timor-Leste acted topromulgate an organic law and disciplinary code forthe Timorese police and an organic law for theTimorese defence forces. As we stated in February, theGovernment of Timor-Leste should do its part tonurture respect for the rule of law, and this actionmoves the Government closer to that goal. We lookforward to hearing updates on the development of theTimor-Leste police and defence forces, and we ask thatthe Special Representative of the Secretary-Generalkeep us informed of any new legislative and regulatorygovernmental actions in defining the respective rolesand responsibilities of the Timorese security forces.

We commend bilateral donors that are providingconsiderable assistance to Timor-Leste in the form ofpolice training. After UNMISET ends in May 2005, wehope that those and other bilateral donors will continueto provide any training and assistance that may berequired.

We commend the work of the Serious CrimesUnit and underscore the usefulness of its role in

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addressing the issue of accountability regarding thehuman rights violations and atrocities committed inEast Timor in 1999. As with other elements withinUNMISET, we believe the Serious Crimes Unit shouldmaintain close adherence to its completion strategy,ending investigations no later than November 2004 sothat it can conclude all its trials by no later than May2005. The Secretary-General stated in his report thatthe Serious Crimes Unit should focus resources inorder to complete trial and appellate litigation in atimely manner. We urge all countries to cooperate fullywith the Serious Crimes Unit. In order to achievejustice for all the victims of human rights abuses, theinternational community and the United Nations shouldconsider an international truth commission as a means ofachieving accountability and, ultimately, reconciliationin Timor-Leste by resolving outstanding cases.

We look forward to working with our Councilcolleagues on a draft resolution to extend UNMISET.We hope a mandate extension can be adopted later thisweek.

Mr. Baja (Philippines): We join colleagues inexpressing our condolences and sympathy to theRussian Government and to the victims of the terribleact of terrorism in Grozny.

We thank Mr. Kamalesh Sharma for hiscomprehensive briefing.

This is a crucial period for Timor-Leste. Muchhas been achieved by the people in building theirnation, with the help of the international community.However, much remains to be done. After all, nation-building requires time, efforts and commitment inorder for the process to bear fruit. As the mandate ofthe United Nations Mission of Support in East Timor(UNMISET) expires on 20 May, that is foremost in ourminds.

In defining the new mandate of UNMISET, theSecretary-General’s report (S/2004/333) provides uswith important factors to consider. In the report, thepeace and security situation in Timor-Leste ischaracterized as having remained generally “calm andpeaceful during the reporting period” (para. 45). Theproposal for a military component has been justified asresponding to exceptional situations that exceed thecapacity of Timor-Leste security agencies to undertakepreventive action to promote public order and to assistin the provision of security to United Nations premisesand personnel there. On the basis of those

justifications, my delegation fully supports theSecretary-General’s recommendation to extendUNMISET for a further one-year consolidation phase.

The Philippines agrees with the three mainelements of the role of UNMISET during thatconsolidation phase: support for public administrationand justice in Timor-Leste; support for thedevelopment of law enforcement; and support for thesecurity and stability of Timor-Leste. As a countrycontributing to UNMISET, my country stands ready toprovide support in the areas identified as requiringUNMISET’s support in the consolidation phase.

The Timor-Leste authorities and the Timoresehave always demonstrated their commitment tofulfilling their responsibilities in nation-building,notwithstanding their very limited capacities. Thepresence at this meeting of the Council of SeniorMinister Ana Pessoa further mirrors that commitment.My delegation is confident that the extension ofUNMISET under the Secretary-General’s proposedplan will contribute substantially to bringing Timor-Leste closer to self-sufficiency and to ensuringsustainable peace and stability in the country. However,my delegation’s optimism is tempered by the realisticassessment that even after a one-year extension ofUNMISET for a consolidation phase, many areas willstill need further support and assistance.

Therefore, my delegation particularly appreciates,and wishes to invite attention to, the very forward-looking component of the report on the requirementsremaining after May 2005. It may be timely to bear inmind at this point that peace in Timor-Leste — as inany other country — is predicated on just social andeconomic development. The report notes the limitedrevenue and widespread poverty in Timor-Leste,circumstances which continue to pose severeconstraints on the country’s social and economicdevelopment. While the forthcoming conference ofdevelopment partners, to be held in Dili on 19 May,could provide some donor assistance, Timor-Leste’sdevelopment should be pursued by generating morerevenues from its own natural resources and industries.

All the efforts made and gains achieved byUNMISET and the international community in endingthe conflict and in nation-building in Timor-Lestewould be for naught if, in the end, Timor-Leste’s self-sufficiency could not be assured or sustained. Timor-Leste’s immediate neighbours and the other countries

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in the region, the Philippines included, should be readyto go the extra mile in providing the appropriatesupport to Timor-Leste, not only to preserve but also tofurther the dividends of peace in the country.

The essential role of Timor-Leste’s partners in thecountry’s long-term development and the entireregion’s stability is a crucial one. When we considerthe situation there, it may be relevant to note that someof the lessons learned have been applied and could beapplied to other United Nations operations. UnitedNations involvement and regional leadership therewere successful because they had wide domesticsupport. United Nations efforts were focused on gettingthe cooperation of Indonesia, and the accent was onpersuasion and underscoring the realities on theground.

The Timor-Leste experience is one of the bestexamples of consolidated action among the Council,the Secretary-General, regional players led by theAssociation of South-East Asian Nations, Australia andJapan, and the international community at large. Werecognize Ambassador Sharma’s role in that regard. Asthe Security Council’s involvement recedes, the rest ofthe United Nations system will need to take up thechallenge of ensuring successful post-conflict recoveryin Timor-Leste.

Mr. Adechi (Benin) (spoke in French): I shouldlike to begin by conveying our condolences to theGovernment of the Russian Federation. We condemnthe terrorist attack carried out in Grozny on 9 May. Weextend our sympathy to the bereaved families.

We also wish to welcome here the Minister ofState of Timor-Leste, Ms. Ana Pessoa Pinto.

Like preceding speakers, we thank the Secretary-General for his latest report on the situation in Timor-Leste (S/2004/333). We also thank his SpecialRepresentative, Mr. Kamalesh Sharma, for hisexcellent briefing and his personal account. Havinglistened to Mr. Kamalesh Sharma’s briefing and readthe report, we indeed welcome the ongoing progressmade by the Government and the people of Timor-Leste in establishing democratic institutions andbuilding the structure of a viable State. We welcomethe adoption by the national Parliament of the OrganicLaw on the Office of the Presidency, which opens theway to establishing two new constitutional bodies —the Superior Council of Defence and Security and theCouncil of State.

Recent progress made by the East Timor nationalpolice augurs well for the upcoming transfer of policeauthority to the Timorese Government, despite theshortage of capacity and available resources. It isimportant that the instruments regulating the police beadopted soon in order to create a republican institutionthat will ensure the rule of law and freedom for allcitizens. Special attention must be given to effortsaimed at avoiding excessive use of force and atensuring greater respect for human rights.

We moreover welcome the improved securitysituation, as well as the work done by the UnitedNations Mission of Support in East Timor (UNMISET)in the area of transferring competences. We fullysupport the modification of the composition ofUNMISET in order to deal with the problemsidentified in that regard. We believe that that willenable Timor-Leste ultimately to assume fullresponsibility for security and stability throughout itsnational territory.

The Government of Timor-Leste’s control of thatsovereign function will also depend on maintaininggood relations with its neighbours, which meansdealing with many pending issues such as finalizingborder demarcation, the return of refugees from thewestern part of Timor and establishing maritimecrossing points. We therefore urge Timor-Leste,Indonesia and Australia to intensify their cooperationto make progress in these matters.

Regarding public administration and justice, wewelcome the efforts aimed at adopting a law on theestablishment of an Office of the Provedor for HumanRights and Justice. Given the crucial role that Officewill play in monitoring respect for human rights, it isnecessary that the international community provideTimor-Leste with greater support for its establishment.Like the Secretary-General, we stress the need tocontinue efforts to fight impunity and to promotenational reconciliation.

As I said in my statement on 20 February 2004,Timor-Leste is now among the least developedcountries. The assessment of the economic and socialsituation of the country contained in the Secretary-General’s report indicates the magnitude of thechallenges to be addressed. In that regard, we believethat the problems of unemployment and difficultiesencountered in the reintegration of ex-combatants areof real concern and merit the special attention of the

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international community. In that regard, UNMISET’sexit strategy must be coupled with a strategy forstrengthening Timor-Leste’s public administration andproductive capacity.

In the final analysis, we can state that the manyproblems noted in Timor-Leste argue in favour ofsupporting the Secretary-General’s recommendation toextend the UNMISET mandate for one year. Therefore,we anticipate with great hope the upcoming conferenceof Timor-Leste’s development partners, scheduled for19 May 2004. We are convinced that the internationalcommunity will take that opportunity to step up itssupport to the Timorese people, who are so resolutelycommitted to sustained economic growth andsustainable development.

Mr. Motoc (Romania): I cannot start withoutexpressing outrage at and strongly condemning theterrorist attack in Grozny, Russian Federation.Romania’s sympathy and condolences go to the victimsand the bereaved families and to the people and theGovernment of the Russian Federation.

On the issue at hand, I join other members of theCouncil in thanking the Secretary-General for hisreport on the United Nations Mission of Support inEast Timor (UNMISET) (S/2004/333) and SpecialRepresentative Sharma for his briefing. My delegationwelcomes the participation in this Council meeting ofSenior Minister Ana Pessoa of Timor-Leste.

As Romania aligns itself with the statement to bemade shortly by the Permanent Representative ofIreland on behalf of the European Union, I will limitmyself to making a few brief comments.

I take this opportunity to congratulate theauthorities of Timor-Leste for their steady efforts andencouraging achievements towards developing theircountry as a stable and democratic nation. All theremarkable progress that has been achieved so far hasbrought closer the moment when responsibility will betransferred from the international presence to thepeople and the Government of Timor-Leste. TheSecurity Council, bilateral donors and the widerinternational community have invested enormousenergy and expectations in Timor-Leste.

Remarkable success has been achieved so far, butfurther international assistance will be required inorder to consolidate and secure its irreversibility. Thatvision is reflected in the recommendations made by the

Secretary-General in his special report of February2004 (S/2004/117) and is developed further in his mostrecent report. This vision is shared by Romania, which issupportive of the Secretary-General’s recommendations.

As the report states, ongoing internationalsupport continues to be essential to enable Timor-Lesteto reach a critical threshold of self-sufficiency.Romania believes that that support can best beprovided through a continued multisector UnitedNations presence in Timor-Leste that includes a limitedmilitary component.

The extension of UNMISET for a further one-year consolidation phase with a reduced size and amodified mandate will consolidate momentum for thedevelopment of full Timorese self-sufficiency and willconfirm Timor-Leste as a fine example of successfulUnited Nations peacekeeping and peace-building.

Finally, I wish to express Romania’s satisfactionwith the continued development of cooperationbetween Timor-Leste and Indonesia. We hope that thepolitical commitment will be shortly followed byconcrete results in the finalization of an agreement onthe border line, as well as in addressing the issue offormer refugees remaining in West Timor. Likewise,we encourage the strengthening of bilateral cooperationin bringing those responsible for serious crimes tojustice.

Ms. Menéndez (Spain) (spoke in Spanish): Wewish in turn to begin by conveying our condolences tothe Government and people of the Russian Federationfor the terrorist attack committed yesterday.

We welcome the briefing provided byAmbassador Sharma and congratulate him heartily onhis work as the Special Representative of theSecretary-General for East Timor. We also welcomethe presence of Minister Pessoa Pinto here at thismeeting.

My delegation fully endorses the statement to bemade by the representative of Ireland on behalf of theEuropean Union. We wish to add a few brief commentsof our own.

First, we wholeheartedly support the Secretary-General’s recommendation to extend the mandate ofthe United Nations Mission of Support in East Timorfor a further year in order to consolidate and furtherstrengthen the enormous progress registered by Timor-Leste since it achieved independence. We believe that

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the composition and objectives of the threeprogrammes proposed by the Secretary-General willmake it possible to accomplish those tasks.

As we said here in February, the additional effortsproposed are relatively modest in comparison toachievements made to date. At the same time, it isessential that we successfully conclude theconsolidation of the institutions of Timor-Leste andavoid any setbacks. To that end, we need the fullcooperation of the Timorese institutions, just as theyhave cooperated with us so far. The Secretary-Generalis quite right to note that

“The Timorese leadership can lay the foundationsfor future progress by fostering a culture ofpolitical dialogue and debate, anchored in thevalues of human rights, tolerance and respect forthe law” (S/2004/333, para. 69)

as well as by promoting key legislation in the areas ofhuman rights, public administration, anti-corruption,policing and defence.

We welcome the excellent cooperation shown bythe Governments of Timor-Leste and Indonesia andhope that it will bear fruit in the settlement of twoprincipal issues: the delimitation of their land bordersand the presence of thousands of refugees in WestTimor.

In conclusion, the United Nations can be proud ofthe success achieved by the people of Timor-Leste withthe support of the international community. Spain isprepared to continue to contribute to the consolidationof the self-sufficiency and full development of Timor-Leste.

Mr. Sardenberg (Brazil): I would like toassociate the delegation of Brazil with the condolencesexpressed by previous speakers to the RussianFederation and to the victims’ families over the terribleand cowardly terrorist act that killed President AkhmadKadyrov and other persons in Grozny, Chechnya,yesterday.

I express my appreciation to you, Sir, forconvening this meeting and to Ambassador KamaleshSharma for introducing the Secretary-General’s report.The positive developments taking place in Timor-Lestecan be attributed to a large extent to AmbassadorSharma’s able and forward-looking leadership, as well asto the work that the United Nations Mission of Support inEast Timor (UNMISET) is undertaking in the country.

I would like to join you, Sir, and other speakers inthanking Ambassador Sharma for his invaluable workas Special Representative of the Secretary-General forEast Timor. We wish him the best.

I would also like to welcome the presence at thismeeting of Timor-Leste’s Senior Minister, Ana PessoaPinto.

The progress achieved so far must beconsolidated into a stable Timor-Leste with improvedpolitical, social and economic conditions. Our steadfastcooperation in a good number of critical areas is stillrequired to underpin the exercise of sovereignty by theEast Timorese. We therefore concur with the Secretary-General’s recommendations regarding the extension ofUNMISET for a consolidation phase, reduced in sizeand under a modified mandate.

Improvements in the security sector, in particularthe recent approval of key legislation concerning thepolice and defence sectors, have been encouraging.Local authorities are fulfilling their commitments andwe expect Timor-Leste to further develop its owncapability and to reach self-sufficiency in security withthe support of the international community. Theextension of UNMISET’s mandate will prove animportant measure to achieve this goal.

As the Secretary-General points out, limitedrevenue and widespread poverty in the countrycontinue to pose severe constraints on reconstructionand development efforts. The expected flow of revenuefrom the exploration for oil and gas in the Timor Seahas not materialized. Progress in this area is crucial toproviding sustained means of income for the people ofTimor-Leste. In this regard, we welcome the conveningof a conference of development partners in Dili on 19May and we concur with the Secretary-General’sassessment that agreement between Australia andTimor-Leste on exploiting mineral resources in theTimor Sea, in a mutually beneficial manner, wouldrepresent an essential contribution to that effort.

Brazil also welcomes the steady improvement ofrelations between the Governments of Timor-Leste andIndonesia. Brasilia has been actively supporting Jakartaand Dili in their efforts to build upon their recentachievements and strengthen new areas of cooperation.While fully understanding all parties’ concerns andconstraints, we believe that there is enough commonground to meet the requirements for justice, stabilityand peace.

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Stability and improved economic and socialconditions in Timor-Leste are extremely relevant notonly for the region, but also for all members of theCommunity of Portuguese-Speaking Countries. Ontheir behalf, we would like to take this opportunity toconvey our appreciation for all international assistancealready provided to the country. We expect theinternational community, through the United Nationsand its agencies, as well as bilaterally, to continueproviding support to the East Timorese. The decision tobe taken by this Council concerning the extension ofUNMISET can reflect such willingness.

No one wants an open-ended mission in Timor-Leste. A clear exit strategy has been put forward by theSecretary-General in his report, taking into account theneed for capacity-building and the importance of notjeopardizing progress achieved so far. It is also in thebest interests of the international community thatTimor-Leste remain a showcase for the United Nationsaccomplishments.

Finally, I would like to inform the Council thatAngola and Brazil will be circulating a draft resolutionregarding the extension of UNMISET’s mandate forconsideration by the Council’s members. We hope thatthe Council will be able to adopt the draft resolution bythe end of this week.

The President: I shall now make a statement inmy capacity as the representative of Pakistan.

Pakistan adds its condemnation of the act ofterrorism in Grozny and conveys its deepestcondolences to the Russian Federation and to thefamilies of the victims.

I would like to thank Ambassador KamaleshSharma for introducing the Secretary-General’s reportand for updating us on the situation in Timor-Leste.Pakistan has extended full support for the success ofthe new State of Timor-Leste — a State that emerged inan exemplary exercise of the right of self-determination, a Charter principle to which Pakistan isdeeply committed.

Timor-Leste has made remarkable progress sinceits independence two years ago. Credit for that must gofirst and foremost to the people and Government ofTimor-Leste. We appreciate in particular the boldefforts of the Timorese leadership to encouragenational reconciliation. We hope that it will continue tostrive to heal the deep wounds of the past, both internal

and external, and to build the foundations forsustainable peace and progress.

Pakistan supports the efforts of the UnitedNations Mission of Support in East Timor (UNMISET)to consolidate peace and assist internationaldevelopment in Timor-Leste. We support the extensionof its mandate for a further year, as recommended bythe Secretary-General. We believe that that is necessaryto allow the Mission to fulfil its mandate. We also notethe report’s recommendations for a new composition ofthe Mission’s downsized force structure, whichincludes both military and police units.

The outstanding tasks for UNMISET includeproviding support to Timor-Leste in key areas: publicadministration and justice, development of lawenforcement and the maintenance of security andstability.

We must bear in mind the observation in theSecretary-General’s report

“that the provision of support throughpeacekeeping can only meet the most urgent ofthe country’s requirements. It must becomplemented and built upon by bilateral andmultilateral support, if real progress is to takeplace.” (S/2004/333, para. 72)

In our view, the most imposing long-termchallenge confronting Timor-Leste remains thepromotion of economic prosperity. Internationalassistance will continue to be indispensable for thatpurpose. The international community must alsocontinue to assist the new country even afterUNMISET’s departure. The continued support ofTimor-Leste’s neighbours is vital in that context.

Pakistan believes that the development of closeand friendly relations between Timor-Leste andIndonesia is of utmost importance and is in the bestinterest of both neighbours. We are confident that bothsides will continue to work together to resolve theiroutstanding issues, in particular the arrangements forthe demarcation and management of their commonborder as well as strengthening mutual support andcooperation.

We hope that Timor-Leste’s other neighbours,including Australia, will make every endeavour toresolve their bilateral issues with Timor-Leste in orderto allow the new country to attain its full economicpotential.

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Timor-Leste is widely considered a success storyfor United Nations peacekeeping. However, asKamalesh Sharma said today, success is a retrospectivejudgement. The real success of the United Nations inTimor-Leste will be measured in years and perhapsdecades. Timor-Leste will continue to need the supportof the international community in the remaining phasesof UNMISET’s presence and beyond. All efforts mustbe made to ensure that the gains so painstakinglyachieved are consolidated and are not lost, and thatTimor-Leste is remembered in history as a model ofcollaboration between a committed national leadershipand a responsive and generous internationalcommunity.

I now resume my functions as President of theCouncil.

As another measure to optimize the use of ourtime, and in order to allow as many delegations to takethe floor as possible, I will not individually invitespeakers to take seats at the table and to resume theirseats on the side. When a speaker is taking the floor,the Conference Officer will seat the next speaker onthe list at the table. I thank the non-members for theircooperation and understanding.

I now give the floor to Mrs. Ana Pessoa Pinto,Senior Minister and Minister in the Presidency of theCouncil of Ministers of Timor-Leste.

Ms. Pessoa Pinto (Timor-Leste): Mr. President,this is the first time that I appear before such an augustbody that has contributed so much to my country’sfreedom and well-being. Hence, my first words arenecessarily of gratitude for the Council’s unrelentinginterest and support, without which the progress wehave made so far would not have been possible.

You are all very familiar with our Senior Ministerfor Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, José Ramos-Horta, who sends his warm regards. He has been inDenpasar, Bali, this weekend in meetings with hisIndonesian colleague and friend, Hassan Wirayuda.Together they have reviewed the progress so far on ourefforts to demarcate our common land border, as wellas addressing other residual issues.

It is a particular pleasure for me to be able toparticipate in this meeting of the Council, which willconsider both the last report of the Secretary-Generaland the last statement of the Special Representative ofthe Secretary-General under the Council’s current

mandate, leading to a consideration by the Council of aresolution on the extension of the United NationsMission of Support in East Timor (UNMISET) with amodified mandate.

The story of the association of the United Nationswith my country is a unique and inspiring chapter inthe history of our people and will always be linked tothe attainment of our independence and the vision ofself-reliance and social and economic fulfilment we arestriving to accomplish.

I would like to acknowledge the historic andunique partnership that binds us so closely together.Starting with a resolution of the General Assembly, thecontribution of the Special Envoys of the Secretary-General, the role of the United Nations in conductingthe referendum, the endorsement of the INTERFET bythe Council in a particularly tragic time for our people,the executive administration provided by the UnitedNations Transitional Administration in East Timor(UNTAET) in close cooperation with the TransitionalGovernment of Timor-Leste, the national parliamentaryelections, the election of the President and, mostrecently, the Mission of Support in specific areas to thefirst Government of Timor-Leste offer a chain ofassociation that cannot be separated from the fulfilmentof the aspirations of our people. It is appropriate torecall that, now that we are entering the phase ofgradual closure of that special relationship.

In historical terms, there was no road map, buttogether we have managed to rebuild a nation. Theindependent and self-confident State of Timor-Lestehas emerged from the debris of disorder anddesperation that is so fresh in our minds.

I would like to thank the Secretary-General forhis report (S/2004/333), which highlights many importantareas where considerable progress has been made.However, I will not dwell on those achievements. Thereport also identifies shortcomings and points the wayforward, stressing the need for concerted action, bothby the Government and people of Timor-Leste and thecountry’s generous development partners.

However, it is appropriate to clarify that theinvestigations of a number of civil servants and policeofficers was due to the fact that the political ralliesreferred to in the Secretary-General’s report took placeover two consecutive days, one of which was a workday, were and conducted during work hours while thepolice officers were in uniform.

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In that regard, I would also like to stress thatfollowing the approval of the Civil Service Act, whichembodies the code of conduct and disciplinary rulesand procedures, forms and manuals have been preparedand finalized with the valuable assistance of UNDPadvisors to facilitate the understanding and thedissemination of the Act. A major programme ofdissemination is being prepared and will involvevarious Government institutions, including theMinistry of State Management, the Inspector General,the Human Rights Advisor and the Advisor for Genderin the Office of the Prime Minister, and will alsoinvolve members of Parliament and civil society.

In relation to civil society, allow me to focus onthe cooperation of the Catholic Church with theGovernment to instil a culture of ethical and moralvalues where transparency and accountability are notmerely fashionable slogans. Together, the Government,the Church, the presidency and the national Parliamentare forging a new alliance to revive our cultural valuesand beliefs. The Church’s programme was launched atthe ordination of Don Alberto Ricardo as bishop of Dilion 2 May 2004. The programme is anchored in theChurch’s social doctrine, with the aim of attaining theparticipation of women, preventing HIV/AIDS anddomestic violence and embarking on responsiblefamily planning where education and moral values playa pivotal role.

With regard to the tensions in the Dili mosque, itis worth noting that the mosque was built and is ownedby the Timorese Muslim community and that it hasbeen illegally occupied since “black September” in1999; it has since been a source of problems. Todaythere are close to 300 undocumented and illegalimmigrants living within the confines of the mosque. Iam pleased to report that tensions have easedconsiderably, thanks to the professionalism of ourpolice, working in conjunction with the human rightsadviser to the Prime Minister and the InternationalOrganization for Migration, and thanks to the toleranceof my Government.

All illegal aliens occupying the mosque havebeen advised by the Government that they are requiredto present themselves to the Immigration Departmentand to provide their documentation to the authoritiesfor verification. Those that are without identificationpapers are required to contact their respectiveembassies. To facilitate this, the Government hasextended the deadline. Those not in possession of the

required papers are at risk of being expelled;applications for permanent visas will be processed on acase-by-case basis and according to the laws of Timor-Leste. Resolution of this issue will further enableTimorese Muslims to exercise their constitutional andfundamental human right to freedom of religion, whichuntil now has been jeopardized by the illegalimmigrants occupying the mosque.

I am also glad to inform the Council that theOrganic Law on the Policia Nacional de Timor-Leste(PNTL) and the Organic Law on the Timorese ArmedForces (F-FDTL) have been approved and have beenpromulgated by the President and that they haveentered into force. The law on a code of conduct,disciplinary rules and procedures for the PNTL hasalso been approved by the Council of Ministers and isexpected to be promulgated by the President andpublished in the official gazette by Thursday of thisweek. As pointed out, those laws are of greatimportance for the maintenance of law and order,because they provide clarity concerning the roles of thepolice and armed forces, particularly with regard tobackup arrangements for support to civil power.

We would like also to thank Ambassador Sharmafor his insightful presentation of the Secretary-General’s report (S/2004/333). We have worked closelywith him, and we feel a deep resonance with what hehas said. As has been pointed out, we have beenthrough good and not so good times together.Ambassador Sharma knows our trials and tribulationsand has assisted us in facing them with solidarity,wisdom and commitment. We are sorry that he will beleaving Timor-Leste at the end of the present mandateof UNMISET. We wish him all the best and areconfident that he will succeed in his future endeavours.

We are also convinced that the Secretary-Generalwill nominate an experienced special representative tosucceed him, as he did when he chose AmbassadorSharma to follow in the distinguished footsteps ofSergio Vieira de Mello, to whose memory we again payour deep respects. As this is my first time addressingthe Security-Council, I wish to acknowledge theinvaluable contribution that Sergio made to our nation.I feel he was one of us.

I agree that much needs to be done to establish asociety based on respect for the rule of law. Thecreation and continued professionalism of an impartial,accountable and responsive police service is an

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important element, and so is the development of thejudiciary. I am sure that members will appreciate that,the importance of those goals notwithstanding, we haveworked within a very compressed time frame: on thefast forward button, as it were. The results must beconsidered in that perspective.

I trust that, through the deployment of policetechnical advisers, the provision of judge-mentors andthe programme of assistance to core administrativestructures and to the justice system, the support of theUnited Nations will contribute to the achievement ofour goals. Those officers, working in harmony withtheir Timorese counterparts and conscious of thecultural sensitivities and the needs of our country, willenjoy unstinted cooperation with a view to meeting ourshared objectives.

I am grateful that the international communityhas appreciated the need for maintenance of a smallmilitary contingent to provide assistance to the F-FDTL and the PNTL in emergencies, to preserve andrestore the fragile peace that currently exists.

Timor-Leste enjoys the best of relations with itsneighbours. We acknowledge the goodwill towardsTimor-Leste that exists at all levels in Indonesia andparticularly the efforts deployed by Indonesia’s leadersto resolve outstanding issues. However, individuals andgroups inimical to our interests still exist. We trust thatthe support of the international community, directedtowards resettlement of refugees, promotion ofreconciliation and economic and social development,will produce concrete results and diminish such threats.I would like to note that finalization of the land borderdemarcation between Indonesia and Timor-Leste andearly operationalization of agreements to facilitatecross-border links between residents of border areas onboth sides would contribute significantly to thatprocess. Despite political will and determination onboth sides, we have failed to reach agreement, througha lack of technical development, on meeting ourdeadlines. Timor-Leste would enhance its efforts, incooperation with Indonesia, so as to finalize anagreement before the end of June 2004.

Negotiations on our maritime border withAustralia have begun, with the first formal roundhaving been held in Dili. The position of myGovernment on this is simple and clear: we are entitledto a just and fair maritime boundary with our two

neighbours, Australia and Indonesia; and we are guidedby principles of international Law and practice.

Between Timor-Leste and Australia, in an areathat is far closer to our shores, lie vast reserves of oiland gas. A just and fair resolution of this issue wouldmean better health care, education and economicindependence for our country, with the eradication ofpoverty and the fulfilment of the MillenniumDevelopment Goals. We know that international law ison our side, and we believe that Australia, one of thewealthiest countries in the world, as a neighbour and asa friend, will find its way to respect justice anddemocratic principles.

I must emphasize the need for substantial andcontinuing support from our development partners toovercome the formidable challenges before our newnation. No efforts at enlightened governance cansucceed unless we can also advance economically andshow visible improvements in the quality of life and interms of the creation of jobs. The internationalcommunity must assist in ensuring that the investmentsmade in strengthening our self-governing capability area springboard to prosperity.

We would like to thank the Secretary-General forhaving outlined several mechanisms and requirements,including the appointment of Timorese counterparts, sothat maximum advantage can be gained from thesupport being extended by the international communitythrough the Council. We appreciate that advice, and weshall continue our endeavours in that direction. It willhave been noted that in recent months, great progresshas been made in that respect and many of therecommendations in the report of the Secretary-General have been met. However, I would like to stressthat, practically speaking, it is impossible to run untilone learns to walk.

While we certainly do not intend to rest on ouraccomplishments, further progress in the areas of goodgovernance and political development will requiresubstantial economic growth and social development. Itrust that Timor-Leste will continue to benefit from thesupport and assistance of the international communityin that regard, so as to guarantee that the success storyis sustainable and that it is a reason for all of us here tobe proud.

The President: The next speaker inscribed on mylist is the representative of Singapore.

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Mr. Mahbubani (Singapore): At the outset, wewould like to associate ourselves with our colleaguesin expressing our condemnation of the bombing thattook place in Grozny. We express our condolences tothe families of those who lost who lives and oursympathies to those who were wounded.

Thank you, Mr. President, for convening thismeeting. We are pleased that the Security Council hasonce again provided an opportunity for concerned non-Council members to air their views on this importantsubject. Let me quickly thank Secretary-General KofiAnnan and Under-Secretary-General Jean-MarieGuéhenno for the latest report (S/2004/333). At thesame time, I should like to join Senior Minister AnaPessoa Pinto in paying a special tribute to AmbassadorKamalesh Sharma for the work he has done. I waspresent in this Chamber when he was appointed. Wehad no certainty then that today we would be as welloff as we are. We owe Ambassador Sharma a specialvote of thanks for all the success we have had. We wishhim all the best.

I will be concise, as Singapore’s position on thisissue is well known. The Council’s last public meetingon Timor-Leste was held only three months ago. Atthat time, we heard nearly every speaker support anextension of the mandate of the United NationsMission of Support in East Timor (UNMISET) for afurther one-year consolidation phase. While someprogress has been made since February, it remainsirrefutable that Timor-Leste will still require assistancein a number of areas beyond May 2004 if the gainsmade to date are to be sustained. Without the continuedsupport of the United Nations and the rest of theinternational community, Timor-Leste’s path to self-sufficiency could very well be jeopardized.

The Secretary-General has once again set out inhis report a compelling case for the extension of theMission, with a modified mandate and a significantlyreduced presence of about 700 international personnel.Singapore fully supports all of the Secretary-General’srecommendations, and we urge the Council to supportand endorse them as well. It is important that weensure that the Secretary-General is provided with theresources he requires, across the three broadprogrammes that he has proposed, to allow Timor-Leste to reach a critical threshold of self-sufficiency.Such an additional investment would seem relativelymodest, considering the scale of the task at hand andthe difference it would make.

Let me add here that Singapore strongly supportsthe proposed deployment of an international response unitof 125 gendarmerie, along with the earlier proposedmilitary component of some 310 formed troops, toform a two-element security force. Given the continuedpossibility of challenges across the security spectrum, thecomplementary deployment of both the gendarmerie unitand the military component would enable UNMISET toassist the Timor-Leste Government in dealing with arange of security challenges, even while Timor-Lestebuilds up its own capacities in that arena.

As the Senior Minister said only a few minutesago, we must be wary of being overconfident or hasty,and mindful that we do not prematurely withdraw oursupport for Timor-Leste. The fragility of the progressmade so far cannot be overstated. Let us stay thecourse and ensure that the gains made so far areconsolidated and that a solid foundation is laid forTimor-Leste’s future development.

This morning, I heard Ambassador KamaleshSharma say that a success story is a retrospectiveevaluation. I also heard your comment on that subject,Mr. President. But let me add here that the continuationof this success story and the perception that it is asuccess story are assets that the Security Council has.At a time when the Council should be concerned aboutits standing in the world, it helps the Council to havethe continuation of a success story such as Timor-Leste. That is a responsibility that we hope the Councilwill not walk away from.

The President: The next speaker inscribed on mylist is the representative of Ireland.

Mr. Ryan (Ireland): The Minister for ForeignAffairs of Ireland, Mr. Brian Cowen, speaking in hiscapacity as President of the Council of the EuropeanUnion, yesterday condemned the terrorist attack duringthe Victory Day celebrations at the Dynamo stadium inGrozny. Minister Cowen said:

“I condemn utterly this appalling act of terror in acrowded stadium, which has claimed the lives ofmany people, including the President of theChechen Republic, Mr. Kadyrov. I extend mycondolences to the families of all the victims ofthis terrible act. No political cause can justifyterrorism.”

As this morning is my first opportunity to addressthe Council in the month of May, I would like to

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congratulate you, Sir, and Pakistan on your assumptionof the presidency of the Security Council, and to thankyour predecessor, the Permanent Representative ofGermany, for the excellent manner in which he and hisdelegation executed the presidency in the month ofApril. With your indulgence, Mr. President, I wouldalso like to note that this morning’s statement to theSecurity Council by the European Union is the firstsince the enlargement of the Union, on 1 May.

I have the honour to speak on behalf of theEuropean Union (EU). The candidate countries Bulgaria,Romania and Turkey; the countries of the Stabilizationand Association Process and potential candidatesAlbania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the formerYugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Serbia andMontenegro; and the European Free Trade Associationcountries Iceland and Liechtenstein, members of theEuropean Economic Area, align themselves with thisstatement.

The European Union welcomes this opportunityto express once again our support for the remarkableachievements made since independence by the peopleof Timor-Leste, with the assistance of the UnitedNations, the support of the Security Council and thecommitment of the wider international community. Inthat regard, I recall and refer the Council to the EU’smost recent statement on Timor-Leste, delivered herein this Chamber on 20 February 2004.

The European Union supports the efforts of theGovernment of Timor-Leste to consolidate the politicalinstitutions, to promote the social and economicdevelopment of the country and to uphold the rule oflaw while building a new nation. In particular, theEuropean Union welcomes developments such as thelargely calm security situation, the continuing positiverelationship between Timor-Leste and Indonesia, thecontinuing development of the country’s publicadministration, the fact that the Commission forReception, Truth and Reconciliation continues toprovide a community-based solution for less seriouscrimes committed in connection with the politicalconflict, and the assumption of responsibility forroutine policing throughout the country by the nationalpolice force.

In addition, and in the context of ending impunityand promoting a culture of accountability andtransparency, the European Union notes with interestthe continuing process of prosecuting those accused of

serious crimes. The European Union will continue tofollow closely the relevant trials in Dili and Jakarta.

Much remains to be done in all these fields and,while the primary responsibility for a successfultransition lies with the Timorese people themselves, itremains incumbent on the international community tohelp consolidate the progress that is so evident inTimor-Leste. In this regard, the European Union looksforward to the planned conference of developmentpartners in Dili on 19 May.

The EU recognizes that a critical element of thesuccess so far has been the hard work of the men andwomen of the United Nations Mission of Support inEast Timor (UNMISET), and we commend them, andthose countries which have supported them in theirefforts, for their dedication. The European Unionrecalls the advice of the Special Representative of theSecretary-General, Ambassador Kamalesh Sharma, thatthe international community should consider carefullythe completion of UNMISET’s drawdown while alsotaking stock of what has been achieved, reflecting onthe remaining tasks to be completed, and deciding onthe best way forward to fulfil the legitimate needs ofTimor-Leste in the post-May 2004 period.

In that regard, the European Union thanks theSecretary-General for his most recent report on andassessment of the current situation in Timor-Leste. TheEU welcomes the report’s assessment that theextraordinary progress that has taken place has left nodoubt as to the momentum of transfer of responsibilityto Timor-Leste. In particular, the European Unionwelcomes the reported progress towards the adoptionof legislation for key public institutions.

Notwithstanding the progress made to date, theEuropean Union shares the Secretary-General’s viewthat further assistance will be needed to consolidate theachievements already made. In this regard, acontinuing though modified presence for UNMISETseems required. The European Union looks forward tothe outcome of the Security Council’s consideration ofthe Secretary-General’s analysis and hisrecommendation for an extension of UNMISET for afurther one-year consolidation phase, with appropriatemodifications to its mandate and composition.

The President: I thank the representative ofIreland for the kind words he addressed to me.

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The next speaker is the representative of Japan, towhom I give the floor.

Mr. Haraguchi (Japan): Let me begin byexpressing our deepest condolences to the Governmentof the Russian Federation for the lives that were lost,including that of President Kadyrov, in the bombingincident that took place in the Republic of Chechnyaon 9 May. Such terrorist acts should never be toleratedon any grounds.

I would like to thank you, Mr. President, forhaving convened this public meeting. I would also liketo thank Ambassador Kamalesh Sharma, SpecialRepresentative of the Secretary-General, for hiscomprehensive briefing.

Timor-Leste will soon commemorate the secondanniversary of its independence. Looking back at thelast several years, the Government of Japan is deeplygratified to see that the Government of Timor-Lesteand its people have been working as a united whole tobuild, brick by brick, the foundations of a new,independent State out of the turmoil that preceded itsformation, with the support of the internationalcommunity, especially the United Nations and theparties concerned, including Indonesia. The role ofUnited Nations in particular has been significant. Japanreiterates its sincere appreciation for the contributionsmade by the United Nations TransitionalAdministration in East Timor (UNTAET) and theUnited Nations Mission of Support in East Timor(UNMISET) under the leadership of the late Mr. SergioVieira de Mello and Ambassador Kamalesh Sharma.

As a nation belonging to the Asia-Pacific region,Japan attaches special importance to the stability anddevelopment of Timor-Leste and has been devoting itsefforts to helping to achieve those objectives. We aretherefore delighted that Timor-Leste has attained itscurrent level of progress, after travelling such a longway on the path towards independent statehood. At thesame time, my Government is of the view that theinternational community must continue to extend itssupport, so that continued progress for peace anddevelopment in Timor-Leste is ensured. Moreconcretely, we believe it is crucially important to makecertain that the valuable incipient achievements in theareas of peace, the rule of law, respect for human rightsand development take root and endure, and we believethere is still an important role for the United Nations toplay in helping to reach that objective.

From that point of view, the Government of Japanwelcomes the Secretary-General’s proposal to extendthe mandate of UNMISET for a one-year consolidationphase, while clarifying which tasks are truly necessary.At the most recent Security Council meeting on thisissue, Member States expressed various opinions inresponse to the Secretary-General’s proposal, and thestakeholders in this enterprise, including Japan, havebeen in close contact with the Secretariat in an effort tobuild a consensus. My Government is convinced thatthis proposal is one which the international communitycan endorse unanimously.

What has been achieved by the internationalcommunity in Timor-Leste since the United Nationsundertook the transitional administration there may beregarded as a striking success story. However, in orderfor the story to be followed through to its conclusion,UNMISET must complete its activities and achieve itsgoals within this final one-year period. It is thereforenecessary to conclude during this period the transitionfrom the phase of peacekeeping operations forresolution of the conflict to the next phase ofdevelopment activities, conducted through bilateralchannels or relevant international institutions.

Timor-Leste in turn must recognize that this willbe the final one-year period of active assistance on thepart of the United Nations peacekeeping operation andmust redouble its efforts to ensure that it will be able tostand on its own. In that connection, the review of thesize of UNMISET, which is scheduled to be conductedat the end of this year on the basis of the progressachieved at that point towards the fulfilment of themandate, should be duly carried out.

In support of the building of a sustainable Timor-Leste, Japan has pledged and has been steadilyimplementing assistance of up to $60 million over thefirst three years following independence, with a focuson peace-building and on reconstruction in the threekey areas of agriculture, infrastructure and humanresources development. We are pleased to learn that theroads and bridges which the Engineering Group of ourSelf-Defence Forces has constructed and repaired forthe activities of UNMISET is benefiting the people ofTimor-Leste as well. We also plan to hand over theequipment of the Engineering Group, including varioustypes of vehicles, to the Government of Timor-Leste,in the hopes that it will meet their requirements. MyGovernment is also making efforts to transfertechnology by educating Timor-Leste Government staff

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in the operation, maintenance and management of thedonated equipment and material. We believe that suchsupport is in line with the needs of Timor-Leste asdescribed in the report of the Secretary-General.

Japan has thus been devoting its energies, throughthe activities of the Self-Defence Forces EngineeringGroup and through official development assistance, tothe development of Timor-Leste. There remain,however, many areas in which further internationalassistance for nation-building is needed. For thatreason, my Government believes that it is essential forthe international community to continue its assistanceto Timor-Leste in those areas where support is stillrequired through well-coordinated activities of theUnited Nations and bilateral contributions.

Finally, I wish to underscore once again howimportant this final one-year period will be for Timor-Leste. The Government of Japan is convinced that,through the efforts of UNMISET and the people ofTimor-Leste, guided by their wise leaders, stability andthe foundations for development in Timor-Leste will bestrengthened, and the United Nations peacekeepingoperation will successfully complete its mission.

The President: I now give the floor to therepresentative of India.

Mr. Nambiar (India): The Government of Indiahas strongly condemned the heinous terrorist attack inGrozny, which killed the President of the ChechenRepublic of the Russian Federation and others. Weextend our condolences to the Government and thepeople of the Russian Federation and to the bereavedfamilies on this tragic occasion.

We felicitate you, Mr. President, on yourassumption of the presidency of the Security Councilfor the month of May. I also take this opportunity tocongratulate Ambassador Gunter Pleuger of Germanyfor his capable stewardship of the Council during theeventful month of April.

It has been almost two years since Timor-Lesteattained its independence. That period has seen rapidprogress in the emergence of Timor-Leste from conflictinto confidence as a new member of the internationalcommunity. In an era increasingly characterized byglobal conflict and conflagration, the success of thispeace-building exercise, spearheaded by the UnitedNations, represents optimism and hope for the future.

We are happy to have Senior Minister Ana PessoaPinto participating in this meeting of the Council.

The comprehensive support of the internationalcommunity — mainly in the form of assistance forpolitical and socio-economic development, capacity-building and security — has been instrumental infacilitating Timor-Leste’s emergence as a viable Statewithin the international community. This process needsto be consolidated. India supports the Secretary-General’s recommendation, as contained in his reportdated 29 April 2004 (S/2004/333), that the UnitedNations Mission of Support in East Timor (UNMISET)be extended for a further, one-year phase to enableTimor-Leste to attain a critical threshold of self-sufficiency.

The three broad programmes that the extendedUnited Nations mandate would facilitate appear fullyjustified, given the reduced size of the Mission and theimperative of ensuring a sound and logical conclusionto one of the most successful exercises in post-conflictpeace-building that the United Nations has undertakenin recent years. We note from the Secretary-General’sreport that the first programme, for publicadministration and justice, would be undertaken by 58civilian experts; the second programme, for thedevelopment of law enforcement, would be advancedthrough 157 civilian police advisers; and the thirdprogramme, support for the security and stability ofTime-Leste, would be effected through 42 militaryliaison officers, 310 formed military and 125gendarmerie.

Those support measures indicate a minimum,truncated international presence. The Secretary-General has noted in his report that it was theextraordinary progress that had taken place whichpermitted this swift downsizing in the internationalpresence on the ground, leaving no doubt as to themomentum of the transfer of responsibility to Timor-Leste.

We agree with the Secretary-General when hecounsels Timor-Leste and its sagacious leadership tofurther build on and consolidate the gains achieved bytaking full advantage of the assistance and by makingpractical and policy decisions in a timely manner.Among the critical issues that require to be addressedearly by the Government of Timor-Leste are theadoption of key legislation for public institutions,preparation for local elections through voter

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registration and other logistical arrangements,measures to enhance economic development and self-sufficiency, and the consolidation of Timor-Leste’ssecurity institutions.

The international community cannot remainpermanently engaged. The United Nations role andassistance in Timor-Leste will have to cede to thecountry’s growing capacity and confidence ingovernance. Multilateral assistance of the current scalewill also have to be substituted progressively bybilateral and regional cooperation.

India’s relationship with Timor-Leste ischaracterized by exceptionally close bilateral tiesmarked by full understanding and support for oneanother’s concerns. We welcomed the emergence ofTimor-Leste as an independent nation in May 2002 andhave keenly followed its successful efforts atdemocratic institution-building as well as economicdevelopment. We have assisted in Timor-Leste’s socio-economic development through bilateral technicaltraining programmes in capacity-building, universityeducation and the deputation of experts for ruraldevelopment. We take this opportunity to complimentthe Timorese leadership for its steadfast and exemplarycommitment to democracy and its transparent andaccountable governance, which have greatly facilitatednation-building.

The continued cooperation and good relationsbetween Timor-Leste and its neighbours, especiallyIndonesia, are important not only for regional harmonybut also in the larger interest of South-Southcooperation. The commitment displayed by theleadership of Timor-Leste and Indonesia towardsforging a harmonious, good-neighbourly relationshipmust find practical expression through the completionof agreements on the land border, the resolution of theproblems of refugees and the provision of socio-economic opportunities for people living on either sideof the border.

In conclusion, I wish to join other delegations inpaying special tribute to the former SpecialRepresentative of the Secretary-General, the lateSergio Vieira de Mello, and to the current SpecialRepresentative, Mr. Kamalesh Sharma, for theircapable and dedicated leadership. We also pay tributeto the members of UNMISET and the United NationsTransitional Administration in East Timor for theirexceptional contributions. Their actions provide a

shining beacon to inspire the international communityeven as the United Nations continues in its effort tofoster peace and development in other parts of thistroubled world.

The President: I give the floor to therepresentative of Indonesia.

Mr. Jenie (Indonesia): Let me start byassociating my delegation with the expression ofcondolences and sympathy to the delegation of theRussian Federation on the tragic loss of lives,including President Kadyrov, and the many injured inthe bombing in Grozny.

I would also like to acknowledge the presence ofSenior Minister Ana Pessoa Pinto and the SpecialRepresentative of the Secretary-General, Mr. KamaleshSharma, whom I thank for his important statement.

My delegation is always pleased to participate inthe Security Council’s discussions on the United NationsMission of Support in East Timor (UNMISET), thepresent mandate of which ends in 10 days.

I would also like to thank the Secretary-Generalfor his report (S/2004/333), in which he observes thatthe relationship between Timor-Leste and Indonesiahas continued to benefit from the commitment tocooperation at the highest political levels. From thevery beginning, the leadership of both nations agreedto cooperate on the basis of forward-looking andreconciliatory policies — a visionary and realisticapproach that has served both nations well. It has led topeace in the area and has enabled both Timor-Leste andIndonesia to focus on development and on the bestinterests of their peoples.

My delegation is of the view that the strongcommitment of the national leaders of both countries tothe forward-looking approach to which they havepledged themselves will be extremely useful inresolving whatever problems we face now or may facein the future. That was restated and reaffirmed by theForeign Ministers of Indonesia and Timor-Leste attheir meeting in Bali just a couple of days ago.

In his report, the Secretary-General recommendsto the Security Council the extension of UNMISET fora further one-year period, described as a consolidationphase, to enable the Mission to sustain, strengthen andbuild upon the gains made so far in Timor-Leste. Mydelegation has no objection whatsoever to thisrecommendation to the Council. Indeed, as has been

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the case in the past, we are delighted to offer oursupport to policies that will enable Timor-Leste tomake the greatest possible progress in the shortestpossible time.

Indonesia, within its limited capacity as adeveloping country, has in a modest way contributedconcretely to the economic development of Timor-Leste in various ways. Indonesia would like to urge themembers of the international community, especially thedeveloped nations, to redouble their efforts andincrease their assistance to help Timor-Leste in itscurrent economic development activities.

There are some other issues in the report onwhich we would like to comment. With regard to theborder issue, in paragraph 11, the report, whileacknowledging the significant technical work that hasbeen accomplished, also alluded to the fact thatfinalization of a border agreement, for which furtherinput is expected from Indonesia, has remained elusive.We see that as an inaccurate and one-sided view thatreflects a lack of understanding with regard to theissue.

For the Council’s information, the Technical Sub-Committee of Border Demarcation and Regulation, aspart of the Joint Border Committee, since December2001 has held meetings 11 times, and each meetingwas preceded by a joint field survey. Indonesia hasalways been supportive of all activities aimed atfinding a solution on the determination of bordersbetween Indonesia and Timor-Leste and of all kinds ofcommunity activities along the border.

With regard to paragraph 12, on the issue ofmanagement of the border and the regulation ofeconomic activities, I wish to further inform theCouncil that there are two agreements in place: theArrangement on Traditional Border Crossings andRegulated Markets and the Technical Arrangements onthe Coordination of Measures to Facilitate theMovement of People and Their Personal Effectsbetween the Enclave of Oecussi and Other Parts ofTimor-Leste. At this stage, Indonesia is awaiting thereadiness of its partner to start implementing theagreements.

With regard to paragraph 13, on the problem ofthe so-called former refugees, I would like first of allto restate that there have been no more Timor-Lesterefugees in Indonesia since December 2002, whenmore than 200,000 refugees returned voluntarily to

Timor-Leste. From the registration process conductedby the Government of Indonesia from August untilNovember 2003, it is clear that there are about 125,000East Timorese living in nine provinces and 61regencies throughout Indonesia. Of that figure, 113people opted to return to Timor-Leste, and theGovernment will render its help to them. In addition,out of the 125,000 others who live in Indonesia, 28,000live in East Nusa Tenggara province, West Timor, butnot in camps, as the report suggested. They opted tostay in Indonesia as citizens and are being offeredrelocation within Indonesia. However, the Governmentwill always be ready to render its help should theyvoluntarily decide to return to Timor-Leste at any time.

In relation to that issue, I also need to draw theCouncil’s attention to the fact that the continued use ofthe term East Timorese “former refugees” is giving thewrong impression — that there are still problemsrelated to security. They do not pose security threats. Inthat regard, it should be noted that the Government ofIndonesia has taken some important measures toaddress security matters, including the Indonesianpolice and armed forces sweeping for and confiscatingweapons in the border area; these in turn have beendestroyed by the authorities, as witnessed byUNMISET representatives. Continuous checking isconducted by the security apparatus in West Timor.

I wish also to bring to the Council’s attention thefact that the outdated and unnecessary retention of thePhase 5 security situation rating in West Timor,unilaterally imposed since 2000, has prevented accessby and the operations of international agencies andnon-governmental agencies in this process and hashampered their humanitarian programmes. As a matterof fact, there have not been any reports of borderincidents since 2001. That clearly shows that securityhas been improved along the border.

On the issue of separated Timorese children, theGovernments of Indonesia and Timor-Leste, in theabsence of the Office of the United Nations HighCommissioner for Refugees, are taking full chargethrough their continued cooperation in order to see theissue successfully concluded in the best interests of theaffected children.

Finally, my delegation is confident that theCouncil will take into account the continued progressin the bilateral relations between Indonesia and Timor-Leste, as well as in the stable security situation along

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our borders, in view of the fact that since 2001 therehave been no problems whatsoever in the area. As theTimor-Leste Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. RamosHorta, correctly stated in his statement to the Councilon 20 February 2004, “Obviously, we do not anticipateany external threat” (S/PV.4913, p. 21).

The President: The next speaker on my list is therepresentative of New Zealand, on whom I now call.

Mr. MacKay (New Zealand): At the outset, mayI join others in expressing our condolences to theRussian Federation on the terrorist bombing thatrecently occurred in Grozny.

I would also like, at the outset, to acknowledgethe presence of Senior Minister Ana Pessoa Pinto, whowe are very pleased to see here in the Council Chambertoday, as well as of the Special Representative of theSecretary-General, Kamalesh Sharma, whoseleadership of the United Nations Mission of Support inEast Timor (UNMISET) we very warmly acknowledgeand appreciate. It is fitting that both of them are able tojoin us today as we reflect on what has been achievedin Timor-Leste and what remaining tasks lie ahead.Ambassador Sharma’s goals, and those of the peopleserving under him, have undoubtedly contributed to agenuine, well-reciprocated partnership between theUnited Nations and the Government and the people ofTimor-Leste.

New Zealand strongly supports the Secretary-General’s recommendation that UNMISET be extendedfor a further 12 months. The reduced size and modifiedmandate laid out in the Secretary-General’s report(S/2004/333) are, in our view, well judged andappropriate for a final consolidation phase.

We are particularly satisfied with the emphasisplaced on the work undertaken by the Serious CrimesUnit. This is a critical component of the UnitedNations Mission, and we welcome the SecurityCouncil’s continued support for the principle that thosewho have perpetrated serious crimes shall not enjoyimpunity. We commend the Serious Crimes Unit for theprogress made this year and for its commitment to astrategy that will refocus resources on litigation anddefence in order to work towards completion of itsprogramme of work by 20 May 2005.

The resolution of outstanding justice issues isalso being pursued through the parallel work of Timor-Leste’s Commission for Reception, Truth and

Reconciliation, which New Zealand strongly supportsand to which it has contributed 1.2 million NewZealand dollars during the past year.

There are two other aspects of the most recentreport of the Secretary-General that we would like tobriefly mention. First, the elaboration of the securityand stability component of UNMISET provides a clearand meaningful picture of its composition and tasks,and we appreciate the careful matching of capabilitiesto practical requirements on the ground. Secondly, thereport highlights the deepening bilateral relationshipbetween Timor-Leste and Indonesia, which was alsoreferred to by Ambassador Jenie in the statement thathe gave to the Council just a few minutes ago. Theattention given by both parties to further developingthis important relationship is clearly to be welcomedby us all.

Finally, we commend the determination and theleadership of Timor-Leste as the United NationsMission enters this final consolidation phase. As aregional neighbour and friend, New Zealand willcontinue, through multilateral and bilateralmechanisms, to support Timor-Leste’s journey towardsself-sufficiency.

The President: I call on the representative ofPortugal.

Mr. De Santa Clara Gomes (Portugal): Let mejoin other speakers in condemning the bombing inGrozny and in presenting my condolences to thefamilies of the victims.

I thank the Secretary-General for his latest reporton the situation in Timor-Leste, as well as SpecialRepresentative Kamalesh Sharma and his staff for theexcellent work they have done and for the resultsachieved so far. I especially thank Kamalesh Sharma,who has done an outstanding job in Dili in the past twoyears. I would also like to welcome the presence ofMinister Ana Pessoa Pinto and her valuablecontribution to this debate.

Portugal subscribes to the interventions ofIreland, on behalf of the European Union, and of Brazilon behalf of the Community of Portuguese-SpeakingCountries.

Portugal welcomes the recommendation of theSecretary-General on the extension of the UnitedNations Mission of Support in East Timor(UNMISET), in a reduced size and with a modified

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mandate, for a further 12-month consolidation phase inorder to allow key tasks to be performed and to sustain,strengthen and build upon the gains made to date,permitting Timor-Leste to attain self-sufficiency.

In this context, I welcome the proposals of theSecretary-General on a programme of support forpublic administration and justice; on support for thedevelopment of law enforcement; and on support forsecurity and stability.

It is important to acknowledge the importance ofcontinuing bilateral assistance and to underline theresponsibility of the international community and ofthe Security Council in relation to Timor-Leste. In thiscontext, I would just like to point out that Portugal,from 1999 to 2003, invested about €300 million inbilateral investment, development assistanceprogrammes and technical-military assistance toTimor-Leste alone. We are ready to maintain this levelof support for Timor-Leste and we encourage othercountries to do the same.

We note with satisfaction the steady andsignificant developments in the relationship of Timor-Leste with its neighbours, regarding important issuessuch as refugees and in the determination of land andmaritime borders. We can only encourage thestrengthening of these bilateral relations and thesettling of all outstanding problems with neighbouringcountries in a climate of friendship and trust.

Finally, I would like to reiterate that, as in thepast, Portugal will remain committed to theconsolidation and development of Timor-Leste and tothe United Nations efforts to that effect.

The President: I call on the representative ofAustralia.

Mr. Dauth (Australia): You will know, Sir, whata personal pleasure it is always for me to address theCouncil during your presidency.

I want to begin like others, however, byassociating Australia with the expressions ofcondolences extended to our friends in the RussianFederation following the appalling attack in Groznyover the weekend. It is an appalling sign of the timeswe live in.

I want to begin also, as others have done, and tomake a particular point of offering our congratulationsand paying our tribute to the work that our former

colleague and friend, Kamalesh Sharma, and hiscolleagues have done in East Timor in the past twoyears. It has been, as he himself said, good times andbad times, but at all times he has maintained thehighest possible standards of professionalism, and wein Australia have very much appreciated that.

We welcome the Security Council’s readiness toadopt a draft resolution extending the mandate of theUnited Nations Mission of Support in East Timor(UNMISET) for another year through to May 2005. Indoing so, Australia congratulates the Secretary-General, the Department of Peacekeeping Operationsand Kamalesh and his team for their excellent work indeveloping the follow-on UNMISET mission model.

No one would dispute the fact that Timor-Lestehas made remarkable progress in its first few years asan independent nation. That success is, of course,primarily due to the commitment and efforts of thepeople of Timor-Leste. Nevertheless, UNMISET hasplayed an important supporting role. This contributionis testament not only to UNMISET personnel, but alsoto the continued attention of the Council, the efforts ofthe Secretariat and the contributions of a number ofUnited Nations Member States.

In that context, the follow-on mission is a highlyappropriate response to Timor-Leste’s ongoing needs.The mission will help Timor-Leste consolidate themany gains that have been made and will address thosegaps in capacity that are still evident. In particular, theMission will continue to provide solid support toTimor-Leste’s fledgling public administration, judicialand security institutions — institutions critical toTimor-Leste’s future.

Australia is particularly pleased with the shape ofthe security sector support, with both a smallpeacekeeping force and a 125-member internationalresponse unit to provide backup support to Timor-Leste’s security forces in emergency situations. Thisarrangement will provide a strong and stable securityplatform for Timor-Leste in the year ahead.

We are pleased to reiterate to the Council and toTimor-Leste that Australia will continue to providestrong support to UNMISET, including through thecontribution of personnel to the peacekeeping, militaryliaison officer and police adviser contingents.

Australia will also continue to be a majorprovider of bilateral development assistance to Timor-

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Leste. Currently, Australia is fulfilling the final year ofits four-year, $150-million development pledge.Further generous assistance for coming years willshortly be announced. Consistent with our commitmentto assisting Timor-Leste to develop strong andeffective institutions, Australia, with assistance fromthe United Kingdom, will be providing a four-and-a-half year, $40-million programme of assistance todevelop the capacity of Timor-Leste’s police force andjustice sector. Australia’s significant defencecooperation programme will also continue.

A number of delegations, and especially MinisterAna Pessoa Pinto — who we, like others, very muchwelcome to New York today — have referred to theimportance of maritime delimitation negotiationsbetween East Timor and both Australia and Indonesia.I need hardly say that we, too, recognize theimportance of those talks. In this context, I want toremind the Council that we have already negotiatedvalid and generous interim arrangements, and I waspleased this morning, I have to say, to hear MinisterAna Pessoa Pinto’s expression of confidence inAustralia as a negotiating partner in these veryimportant negotiations.

May I conclude by restating to the Council thatAustralia is committed to supporting and workingclosely with UNMISET for the term of its renewedmandate. Australia wishes the follow-on mission everysuccess and will actively contribute to that success.

The President: I thank the representative ofAustralia for his kind words addressed to me.

I now call on the representative of Norway.

Mr. Løvald (Norway): At the outset, I, too,would like to associate myself with remarks made byother delegations over the very tragic loss of life inGrozny following an act of terrorism.

Allow me first, on behalf of the Government ofNorway, to express our support for the Government ofTimor-Leste, which has made significant achievementsin the reconstruction, development and creation of anew nation.

We welcome the report of the United NationsMission of Support in East Timor. The United Nationshas played a crucial role in the extraordinary politicalprogress made by a newly independent, post-conflictTimor-Leste. However, we must not risk setbacks as aresult of premature exit and we need a continued, but

modified international presence, as suggested by theSecretary-General, to consolidate the achievementsmade.

One achievement Norway would like to highlighttoday is that the role of women has been enhanced inTimor-Leste. According to a report from the Inter-Parliamentary Union, Timor-Leste is number 22 on theranking of countries with the highest percentage ofwomen in national parliaments. It is fair to say that thework of the United Nations and of the Government topromote gender equality in Timor-Leste has beenimpressive.

Norway has followed the process of prosecutionand trial of those accused of serious crimes and callsfor a continued fight against impunity. Furthermore, weare pleased with the work of the Commission forReception, Truth and Reconciliation and we lookforward to its final report, to be presented later thisyear.

In addition to United Nations assistance, bilateraldevelopment assistance will also be critical in the yearsto come. The overall goals for Norwegian support toTimor-Leste are to assist the new State in its efforts toestablish sustainable democratic institutions, topromote human rights and to combat poverty throughdevelopment of a sustainable national economy.Norway remains a firm supporter of Timor-Leste andwill attend the donors meeting in Dili from 17 to 19May.

Lastly, Norway would like to express its gratitudeto Kamalesh Sharma, the Special Representative of theSecretary-General, for his tireless efforts in fulfillinghis tasks in Timor-Leste. The contribution of theSpecial Representative and that of the men and womenserving with him have been nothing less thanoutstanding, and we commend them for the progressmade.

The President: I shall now give the floor to Mr.Sharma, if he wishes to respond to any of thecomments made.

Mr. Sharma: We have made a very seriousinroad into lunchtime, and I would not like to test theapparent popularity of UNMISET by holding forth fortoo long. Indeed, this is not required of me any more, Ifeel, in the light of the statement by Senior MinisterAna Pessoa Pinto. She has given much information andclarification and important perspectives for all of us.

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We have noted, however, the various points thatdelegations have made on various issues and securityconcerns on the rule of law, the national police andfurther requirements to professionalize it, humanrights, serious crime and advisors to publicadministration. I wish to advise the Council and thedelegations that we stand ready to throw further lighton any of these issues, should that be desired.

I would only like to restrict myself to thanking allthe delegations for their kind and complimentary wordsdirected to myself and to members of UNMISET. I willfaithfully communicate these sentiments soon afterreturn. I am convinced that the confidence andencouragement expressed by the Council — indeed,which I have always received — regarding the work

being done by them will further galvanize themtowards realizing the Council’s goals for UNMISET,particularly in this consolidation phase, should it beapproved by the Council and on which virtually allmembers have spoken.

The President: I thank Mr. Sharma for thoseconcluding remarks. Once again, on behalf of theCouncil, we wish him all the best in the future.

There are no further speakers inscribed on mylist. The Security Council has thus concluded thepresent stage of its consideration of the item on itsagenda. The Council will remain seized of the matter.

The meeting rose at 1.20 p.m.