UNMIT SRSG KHARE BRIEFS SECURITY COUNCIL

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 USUN NEW YORK 000467

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL UNSC KPKO TL
SUBJECT: UNMIT SRSG KHARE BRIEFS SECURITY COUNCIL


1. (SBU) SUMMARY: On May 30, UNMIT SRSG Khare updated the
Security Council on the recent presidential elections, the
Parliamentary elections scheduled for June 30, and the future
challenges in Timor-Leste. The Council was unanimous in its
praise for the peaceful conduct of the presidential
elections. Delegations urged UNMIT to continue work on the
critical issues of security sector reform, justice and
accountability, national reconciliation, and resolving the
IDP situation. END SUMMARY.

Khare Update
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2. (SBU) SRSG Khare provided the Council with a summary of
the recent presidential elections, noting that Timorese
implementation of the recommendations of the independent
Electoral Certification Team enabled the Timorese to meet
internationally accepted standards. He said, however, that
although the elections "were not perfect," the results were
"politically acceptable" to the people of Timor-Leste.


3. (SBU) Cautioning that significant challenges regarding the
parliamentary election still lay ahead, SRSG Khare said the
potential for real or alleged electoral irregularities "is
high," so ensuring the acceptance of results by the parties
might pose a major challenge for the international community.
However, he cited several examples of dialogue between
political parties that suggested progress on national
reconciliation. Specifically, Khare described the activities
of the Committee on High-level Coordination, as well as
regular meetings between senior UNMIT staff and the political
parties.


4. (SBU) Khare noted "considerable progress" has occurred in
the screening and retraining of the national police force in
Dili, and advised that the screening of PNTL in the districts
will commence soon. Despite the establishment of a Working
Group on Security Sector Reform, Khare said substantive
progress can only be made following the parliamentary
elections. Khare emphasized that the UNMIT police, supported
by PNTL and ISF, continues to bear the prime responsibility
for the maintenance of public order and security throughout
the country. Describing the security situation as "still
volatile," he strongly cautioned that any reduction of UNMIT
police before the end of the year would be undesirable.


5. (SBU) SRSG Khare was firm in his view that justice is a
precondition for national reconciliation, and accountability
cannot occur if serious crimes dating back to 1999 are not
adequately addressed. He stressed the need for continued
work and reform of the justice sector, and reported that he
has insisted to the Timorese that all recommendations of the
Independent Special Commission of Inquiry need to be
implemented. Although public expressions by the Timorese
leadership have demonstrated political will to implement
these recommendations, Khare cautioned that Timor-Leste does
not yet have the "sufficient capacity" to do so. Estimating
that it will take a number of years before the Timorese can
fully meet the human resources and institutional needs in the
justice sector, Khare emphasized that assistance from the
international community is essential to ensure the stated
commitment of the Timorese leaders can be realized.


6. (SBU) Khare expressed his view that the problem of
internally displaced persons (IDPs) is likely to continue
well into the next year. Now that the Timor-Leste
government has accepted the long-term nature of this problem,
he reported that UNMIT's future efforts will concentrate on
strengthening government capacity and national ownership of
the process.


7. (SBU) Khare said has implemented a zero-tolerance policy
relating to any form of misconduct by personnel. To date,
four cases of allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse
(SEA) have been reported. Two could not be substantiated,
and the other two are under investigation. The UNMIT Conduct
and Discipline Unit has organized and implemented mandatory
training sessions regarding SEA issues.


8. (SBU) Responding to U.S. concerns about ballot security
for the parliamentary elections, SRSG Khare agreed that the
possible changes to the Timorese election law would pose a
challenge. However, he advised that these changes could
minimize voter intimidation, and that ballot transportation
can be transparent if the boxes are accompanied by election
observers, members of media, and representatives from all
political parties.

Council Reaction
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USUN NEW Y 00000467 002 OF 002



9. (SBU) Members of the Council were unanimous in their
praise for the calm conduct of the presidential elections,
and expressed hope the parliamentary elections will be
similar. Delegations urged UNMIT to continue work on the
critical issues of IDPs, national reconciliation, security
sector reform, justice and accountability, and ensuring
support from the international community.


10. (SBU) The French emphasized the importance of national
reconciliation, and stressed the need for a transparency.
Panama, Ghana, Congo, Italy, and the U.S. also reiterated the
importance of justice and accountability.


11. (SBU) The Slovakian delegation stressed that security
sector reform is the most critical issue facing Timor-Leste,
and is an absolute precondition for establishing stability in
the country. The UK stressed the importance of international
contributions to Timor-Leste, and the need for the
International Compact to be enhanced. Indonesia, Congo, and
Russia all noted the need for international support to
continue well after the Parliamentary elections have
concluded.


12. (SBU) The South African Permrep proposed a Security
Council mission to Dili in October. The Panamanians,
Congolese, and Chinese echoed their support, and suggested
scuh a trip would send an appropriate message of
international support to the people of Timor-Leste.
(Comment: There is no real support for a Council trip to
Dili. South Africa likely raised the prospect because the
delegation is taking the lead on the issue following Japan's
departure from the Council. End Comment.)


13. (SBU) On May 31, Ambassador Sanders met with Khare during
a courtesy call before his return to UNMIT. Khare thanked
the U.S. for its continued support, and briefly mentioned his
discussions with USAID requesting financial contributions for
a school in Dili. He was cautiously optimistic regarding the
Parliamentary elections, and judges the Fretilin party will
accept a role as the minority party. Khare said the Timorese
must understand that a UN peacekeeping mission is not
permanent, and the international community must encourage
them to meet their political, economic, and social
development challenges in a mature and measured manner.
KHALILZAD