UNSC DEBATE ON UNMIT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 USUN NEW YORK 000965

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: UNSC XB XV XU
SUBJECT: UNSC DEBATE ON UNMIT

USUN NEW Y 00000965 001.2 OF 002



1. (SBU) Summary: UN Special Representative of the
Secretary-General Atul Khare briefed the Security Council on
the Secretary-General's interim report on the UN Integrated
Mission in Timor-Leste on UNMIT on October 23. Khare
discussed the successful community elections, strengthening
the rule of law and government institutions, the resumption
of primary policing responsibility by the Timorese National
Police (PNTL),and the critical importance of multilateral
assistance. Timor-Leste Deputy Prime Minister Jos Luis
Guterres called the recent no-confidence motion a successful
test of Timor-Leste's democracy and accountability. He
discussed the completion of reintegration for the internally
displaced persons (IDPs),recently implemented government
welfare programs, new developments in legislation regarding
national security, and the GOTL's plans for investing in
development. All 15 Security Council members spoke at the
debate, echoing similar themes and congratulating Timor-Leste
on its tenth anniversary of the popular consultation. Eight
non-Council delegations also spoke, including Australia,
Portugal and New Zealand. End summary.


2. (SBU) UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General
Atul Khare attributed the improvement in the recent,
successful elections to a joint effort between United Nations
Police (UNPOL) and the PNTL. Khare also hailed the
no-confidence motion and the debate in Parliament on the
government's role in the Bere case, which was broadcast on
television and radio throughout the country, as a "positive
step," showing that "critical issues of national interest are
(being) channeled through the National Parliament with
meaningful participation from the opposition." Khare said
that while democracy is growing, some institutions require
continued strengthening, particularly the justice sector. He
reported that UNMIT will continue its investigations into
serious crimes committed in 1999, and stressed the importance
of further capacity-building for the Timorese. He said that
Timor-Leste continues to struggle with extreme poverty,
unemployment, infrastructure creation and rural development,
which are areas that need to be addressed.


3. (SBU) SRSG Khare emphasized the progress in transfering
policing responsibility to the PNTL, noting that another
district is scheduled for transfer in November. He stressed
the need for an exit strategy and called on the international
community to take the lead in ensuring a "stable and steady
approach" while responsibility is increasingly transferred to
all of Timor-Leste's institutions. Khare recognized the
importance of long-term bilateral and multilateral
assistance, and highlighted the efforts of Australia, Spain,
Portugal, the European Commission, Cuba, the United States
(primarily in increased mil to mil cooperation),and the
ASEAN Member States in these efforts. Finally, he spoke of
the importance of environmental protection for Timor-Leste as
a "small, young island state," and called upon all those who
would provide international assistance to ensure a minimal
environmental impact. Khare noted that in November, the UN
World Tourism Organization's will conduct a technical
assistance mission, and raised the Tour de Timor, an
international cross-country bicycle race; as well as the
inaugural International Sports Fishing Competition as two of
Timor-Leste's initiatives to increase tourism.


4. (SBU) Deputy Prime Minister of Timor-Leste Jos Luis
Guterres also recognized the recent no-confidence motion and
debate in Parliament over the Bere case as an example of
Timor-Leste's progress in accountability and democracy. He
noted the country's achievement in closing IDP camps and
reintegrating IDPs. He also said that the Government had
developed a social housing program as well as a Social
Security program to benefit elderly persons and disabled
citizens. Guterres spoke of developments in the security
sector, noting that various defense laws were now before
Parliament and that the PNTL were progressively gaining
responsibility. He also briefed on efforts to improve
institutional integrity, pointing out the establishment of
the National Anti-Corruption Commission. Finally, he spoke
of the need to invest in Timor-Leste, noting that petroleum
and gas revenues had been the main source of income for the
state, and lauded efforts to increase eco-tourism.


5. (SBU) Security Council delegations welcomed successful
elections and the closure of IDP camps, and noted the general
spirit of continued progress on the island. Most delegations
also called for the strengthening of the judicial system.

USUN NEW Y 00000965 002.2 OF 002


The U.S., UK, Costa Rica, China, Turkey, Uganda, Russia,
Croatia and Libya called for greater clarity on the role of
the Timorese National Defense Forces (F-FDTL),especially
during peacetime. Costa Rica and Austria suggested that the
F-FDTL take on border patrol and disaster recovery
responsibilities, or act as watchdogs for human trafficking
activities. The U.S., UK, Burkina Faso, Mexico, Austria, and
France also cautioned against a culture of impunity, urging
that allegations of war crimes, human rights violations, and
crimes against humanity from the 1999 and 2006 conflicts be
pursued more vigorously. On a related note, Turkey, Austria,
Croatia, Uganda and Libya noted that some underlying factors
of the 2006 crisis persist, namely poverty, unemployment, and
land ownership issues, and urged Timor-Leste to address these
issues immediately to prevent further instability --
especially in the recently reintegrated communities.


6. (SBU) Eight non-Council members also spoke at the
meeting, including Thailand on behalf of the Association of
South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Sweden on behalf of the
European Union (EU). Many delegations applauded Timor-Leste
on the gradual transfer of power in its policing sector, its
progress on reintegrating IDPs, and the establishment of the
anti-corruption commission. Thailand, Sweden, Portugal, New
Zealand, Australia, and the Philippines supported
recommendations to maintain UNMIT's current presence;
Thailand and New Zealand suggested possible adjustments to
the mission's mandate prior to the mandate's renewal. New
Zealand and Australia both acknowledged that their joint
International Stability Force (ISF) would need to change
focus from a security support role to one of defense, in
cooperation with the F-FDTL. A number of countries urged the
GOTL to focus on development. Sweden pushed for more
investments in the non-oil sector, and encouraged the
creation of jobs and infrastructure. Brazil echoed the call
for a boost in the non-oil sectors, encouraged development in
the social services, and pressed for more rural development,
noting that this would be essential for Timor-Leste in
fulfilling the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). South
Africa called for the international partners of Timor-Leste
to improve education and health, and to invest in rural
development, encouraging the GOTL to focus on national unity,
reconciliation, promotion of human rights, justice, and
peace.


7. (SBU) SRSG Khare expressed appreciation to delegations for
pledging their support for the Secretary-General's
recommendations, combating impunity and strengthening the
rule of law. He said that the GOTL was aware of its need to
take over policing responsibilities, and that UNMIT was
willing to offer its assistance in this endeavor. Lastly, he
assured the Council that UNMIT would work bilaterally and
multilaterally to ensure that the security sector, reform,
and the rule of law continued to improve.
Rice