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