YouSaid · the spoken record

Alkatiri

lines on the record: 39
first: 2001-10-31
most recent: 2002-04-26
sittings or episodes: 3
sources: un-security-council

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“We have come a long way together during East Timor's transition to independence and special thanks are due to the Security Council for its continued support; to the Secretary-General who, in spite of his heavy load of responsibilities, has always been available for advice and consultation; and, of course, to our friend Special Representative Sergio Vieira de Mello, who has worked tirelessly on behalf of the people of East Timor.”
2002-04-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4522 (2002) · source
“Our priorities are also to plan for integrated and sustainable development, with the help of the United Nations agencies, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank; to consolidate the very real advances that have been made over the past two and a half years, with special emphasis on capacity and institution- building; and to encourage a spirit of tolerance and reconciliation within the community, allied to the application of economic, social and political justice. I would like to confirm our full support for the Secretary-General's recommendations for the successor mission and commit my Government to working closely with the new Special Representative of the Secretary-General to make that new mission as much a success as UNTAET.”
2002-04-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4522 (2002) · source
“We are aware that various countries have expressed an interest in establishing diplomatic relations with East Timor on Independence Day and we are studying how it will be humanly possible to bring this about in the time that it is available. To conclude, our priorities are to ensure that the Government's programmes and policies reflect the aspirations of our people and are executed with the maximum efficiency and transparency and to maintain the high standards of human and social rights that were instituted during the transition period, counting on the active participation and support of civil society. Of particular significance will be the continuing promotion of equality and women's rights and the campaign against domestic violence.”
2002-04-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4522 (2002) · source
“Those are of fundamental importance in defining the coordination between the Government and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the new mission, in order to avoid the danger of parallel command structures in the same country. The security of our country is also linked to the establishment of good relations with our neighbours and, indeed, with all the nations of the world. One important step will be the negotiation of our maritime boundaries. Budget restrictions will, of necessity, limit our diplomatic representations, but we encourage diplomats to visit East Timor and see for themselves the challenges that exist for the future, as well as the considerable progress that has already been made with the generous assistance of United Nations Members.”
2002-04-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4522 (2002) · source
“We are actively engaged with the Australian Government and the oil companies operating in the Timor Sea to resolve outstanding issues, and we expect to sign the treaty relating to the area of cooperation upon independence or shortly thereafter. But these measures to ensure political and economic stability go hand in hand with the question of internal and external security. The East Timor defence and police forces are not yet ready to undertake those functions, and there will be a need for a continued United Nations presence with an executive role in those two areas. We are aware of the importance of signing the Status of Forces/Status of Mission agreement (SOFA/SOMA) and the agreements on police and military responsibilities.”
2002-04-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4522 (2002) · source
“In order to implement the national development plan, international support is critical over the next three years until the first revenues can be expected from the gas and petroleum developments in the Timor Sea. Those revenues will be considered as a credit by future generations of East Timor to the current generation, which will be paid back by a special development fund for education, health and infrastructure. We will be applying to join the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank, and our application to the International Monetary Fund is currently being processed. We are working closely with the World Bank to establish a mechanism to channel donor funds to a budget support facility that will help to bridge the gap between budget expenditures and forecast revenues over the next three years.”
2002-04-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4522 (2002) · source
“The President-elect and I share the same objectives - the well-being and advancement of the people of East Timor - and we will work together with the presidency, the Government and Parliament to achieve those goals. We will, however, still be relying on the support of the United Nations and of the international community to consolidate the progress that has been made thus far and to guarantee the stability of the country after independence. I am referring to the need for assessed funding for the 100 core functions that are vital for the continued functioning of the Government, and for donor funding for the 200 additional functions that were identified, with the assistance of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), as necessary for social and economic development and poverty reduction.”
2002-04-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4522 (2002) · source
“Another priority is the campaign that has already started for AIDS awareness and education. Third is housing, which is another priority. Fourth is agriculture and its development potential. This is particularly important in order to halt the exodus of the rural population to the city and, indeed, to reverse that trend. Our budget will be a clear reflection of those priorities, which were identified in the national plan, with a particular emphasis on service delivery and the alleviation of poverty. The final budget will be approved on 30 May. I should also like to mention that the President- elect, the Special Representative of the Secretary- General and I had a long and fruitful meeting recently, and we are in broad agreement on how to go forward.”
2002-04-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4522 (2002) · source
“The second is the expectation of the international community that the Government will do all it can to convert the aid being provided into investments that will benefit future generations and thus increase the credibility of the country, so that it can continue to deserve the confidence and support of the international community. As a result of the consultation process, Government attention will be concentrated on four major areas. First, education and the eradication of illiteracy, which currently stands at around 55 per cent, are priorities. Second is health, with particular emphasis on the fight against malnutrition and endemic diseases such as malaria and tuberculosis, as well as the provision of the basics of public health, including clean water and sanitation.”
2002-04-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4522 (2002) · source
“We have a clear idea of our priorities after the broad public consultation that preceded our planning process and the open Cabinet meetings that the Council of Ministers has been conducting in each of the 13 districts of East Timor, at which the population was able to express its concerns directly to the Government. We are concerned that our style of governance should be seen not only as representative- inasmuch as we are the elected representatives of the people - but also as participatory, in order to directly involve the people in the decision-making process. The present leadership of the country has a duty to live up to two major expectations. The first is the expectation of the people that the Government will channel their energies and creative ability into the development of the country.”
2002-04-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4522 (2002) · source
“It was not always easy, as there was no blueprint or manual on how to govern a country. We learned as we went along. Now, however, we are at a stage in which East Timor is ready to govern itself. Since September 2001, an entirely East Timorese Government has been exercising executive authority, and while we are facing a major challenge to develop our public and private institutions as well as their social and communitarian counterparts, the fundamental structures and institutions of the country are now in place. Government and civil society have been working hard together to produce our first national plan, with the objective of establishing a programme to alleviate poverty and promote the development of East Timor.”
2002-04-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4522 (2002) · source
“Mr. Alkatiri: After a quarter of a century of struggle and resistance, we are now only 23 days from achieving our objective, the international recognition of the independence of East Timor. That it will be achieved on 20 May is a tribute not only to our people and their contributions to the process, but also to the international community and the United Nations, which kept the idea of an independent East Timor alive in the darkest hour of the struggle. The support of the Security Council has been fundamental over the past two and a half years, as the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) and the people of East Timor worked together to restore security and stability and to establish the foundation of an independent Government.”
2002-04-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4522 (2002) · source
“Without the Council's support it will be very difficult for us to do it, but with this kind of sympathy and support surely the East Timorese people, their Government and the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor will really make possible the impossible, and we will do our best to have a democratic country, a stable country and a peaceful country in that region.”
2001-10-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4403Resumption1 (2001) · source
“Mr. Alkatiri: I do not really want to respond; I just want to offer some conclusions. We came to this meeting from very far with many preoccupations. The expectations of our people are increasingly great, and now we are faced with another type of expectation: the international community's expectations of us. But we think that the support we are receiving here will give us much more energy, creativity and, of course, strength to face all these challenges and expectations.”
2001-10-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4403Resumption1 (2001) · source
“We have no doubt that had it not been for the courage and resilience of our people in resisting the illegal occupation, and later the joint role played by the international community in restoring international law and assisting the reconstruction of our country, we would not have the honour of sharing these special moments with the Council. On behalf of our people and the Second Transitional Government of East Timor, I extend our invitation to you, Mr. President and the other members of the Council, to join us on 20 May 2002 for our independence day celebration in our humble country, East Timor. We look forward to seeing you all there to share this special day with us.”
2001-10-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4403 (2001) · source
“Twenty-seven years ago my colleagues and I came to the United Nations for the first time to ask for the support of the international community to oppose the illegal invasion and occupation of our homeland, as a gross violation of international law. Today we address the Council as the East Timorese Transitional Government, established in the aftermath of the first free and democratic elections in East Timor. We acknowledge that in 24 years of resistance it was difficult to liberate our people from the illegal occupation, but now the challenge of governing the country and addressing the problems of poverty, disease, education and health is even more difficult. For this reason, our people still count on and deserve the Council's continued support.”
2001-10-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4403 (2001) · source
“East Timor will soon be part of the community of nations and a Member of this unique international Organization. As a responsible member of the international community, East Timor will join the nations of the world in the struggle against all forms of terrorism. No one can be indifferent to terrorist acts, such as the barbaric acts of 11 September. We assure the Council that our country will stand with all peace- loving countries and join in the efforts to put an end to individuals, groups or organizations that organize or sponsor terrorist activities. In conclusion, allow me again to express our special, heartfelt feelings of appreciation for the opportunity to address the Council.”
2001-10-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4403 (2001) · source
“I wish to draw attention to this matter not only because of the economic perspective, but also because of the political implications of defining our maritime borders and hence our sovereignty. Surveillance of our territorial waters is a prerequisite, especially when East Timor's exclusive economic zone is defined. To this end, a naval component of our East Timor Defence Force is currently being established, and we request assistance from the United Nations and our development partners. Although we address the Council today with a clear appeal to continue to provide the assistance and support given to East Timor, we fully recognize the responsibility that falls upon the East Timorese. We are conscious of our role as a Government to build the capacity to become self-reliant in our quest for economic independence.”
2001-10-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4403 (2001) · source
“I am pleased to inform the Council that the Second Transitional Government, since taking office, has established the Planning Commission, the role of which is to develop a framework for a national development plan that will later be translated into a blueprint. The Government, civic society, youth and women are part of this all-inclusive process. This development plan will be designed to contain macroeconomic variables and strategies aimed at alleviating poverty and improving the well-being of society. In this regard, we will be seeking the assistance of multilateral financial institutions, particularly the World Bank, and our bilateral partners in the design and funding of this development plan. Allow me to mention our potential fishing resources.”
2001-10-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4403 (2001) · source
“However, the independent Government will be able to deliver on this only if it has strong, efficient and transparent institutions. As a young nation, we will endeavour to diversify our revenue base and to avoid over-dependency on the potential revenues derivable from our stock of non-renewable natural resources. We recognize that there is a need to be prudent on the use of these funds and are now studying the appropriate investment and saving strategy for the Timor Sea revenues so that these funds are spent to develop other income-producing resources. As the lead negotiator on the Timor Sea, I and the people of East Timor are grateful for the tremendous support provided by the United Nations in the treaty negotiations pertaining to the Timor Sea resources.”
2001-10-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4403 (2001) · source
“The drafters of the Constitution are presently addressing the land-tenure issues and the Council of Minister's is reviewing the legislation on investment, micro-credit banks and corporate laws. The newly appointed Council of Ministers is conscious of the high level of unemployment in East Timor. Anecdotal evidence suggests an unemployment rate as high as 80 per cent. It is critical that we create the necessary conditions to stimulate domestic private- sector activity and attract sound foreign investment to assist in the generation of employment and development. The focus of the Government is on the areas of education, health, housing and infrastructure policies to guarantee social and political stability in East Timor.”
2001-10-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4403 (2001) · source
“The members of the Council may be asking themselves how all this assistance is going to affect East Timor's use of the assessed contributions fund. We East Timorese are counting on this source of funds to consolidate the peacekeeping process and at the same time to create the necessary conditions for peace- building. On the socio-economic front, the Council would agree that the viability of any State depends to a great extent on the sustainability of the development of the productive sectors of its economy. Cognizant of this, the Government of East Timor is currently embarking on the creation of an enabling environment to address land issues and the investment and corporate laws required to foster development in this area.”
2001-10-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4403 (2001) · source
“This effort has been strongly led by Mr. Xanana Gusmao and fully supported by UNTAET and the Second Transitional Government. All efforts will be made to continue to encourage the returnees and to resettle them in the country so that they, too, can enjoy the tranquillity of being in their homeland. We were also heartened and pleased by the positive reaction of the President of Indonesia, Mrs. Megawati Sukarnoputri, to the reconciliation process when the East Timorese delegation and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General visited Indonesia last September. We are hopeful that the strong interest in re-establishing good relations based on mutual respect between our two countries will be quickly cemented.”
2001-10-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4403 (2001) · source
“However, it is our fervent belief that the Government of East Timor and, in particular, the Commander of our Defence Force, Brigadier General Taur Matan Ruak, should be given the opportunity to actively contribute to the debate on the downsizing of the peacekeeping force. The Second Transitional Government is also preoccupied with the reconciliation process and the return of refugees from Indonesia. We maintain that reconciliation is an important component of the healing process that our people will need to go through. We are also clear that reconciliation without justice will not be meaningful and in this context fully support the maintenance of a Serious Crimes Unit funded by assessed contributions. Over the past 12 months, we have seen a steady increase in the number of refugees returning to the country.”
2001-10-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4403 (2001) · source
“In order not to cripple the operations of the Government, the people of East Timor would urge the Security Council to recognize the need to maintain these support structures and critical assets in place for the independent Government. I wish to also underscore the mission carried out by the peacekeeping force throughout this mandate. The peacekeeping force in East Timor has gained the respect and admiration of our people for the professional and committed way it has been carrying out its mission. We wish to publicly commend the force for the secure environment it has fostered in our country. The downsizing of the force is understandable and we support it at this point.”
2001-10-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4403 (2001) · source
“The nature of the UNTAET mandate has necessitated that, in order to function as a Government, the United Nations have its human resources, assets and communications systems in place. Consequently, this has meant that the Second Transitional Government is presently heavily reliant on the assets of the United Nations to function effectively and efficiently and will need time and the necessary financial resources to disentangle itself from the web of dependence. We are currently attempting to address this issue through the UNTAET core transition group, but we would wish to use this unique opportunity to request the United Nations to continue to maintain its support structures and capital equipment until the independent Government is able to replace them with its own.”
2001-10-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4403 (2001) · source
“I would take this opportunity to reiterate to the members of the Council that East Timor has always sought to maintain the presence of civilian personnel in the post-UNTAET period. This is reflected in some of the words spoken by my brother Xanana Gusmao, national leader of our country, during his address to this body on 18 May during the Council's special meeting on East Timor. The success of the Mission is the success of the international community, given that it fully reflects the international community. Together we can uphold the values of peace, justice, democracy, human rights and abidance by international law. It will be recalled that our country's infrastructures and other assets were completely destroyed after the August referendum.”
2001-10-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4403 (2001) · source
“In order for the new Second Transitional Government to successfully carry out its function and programmes, we will require donors to quickly meet the financing gap. In Oslo, we will be looking for the strong commitment of donors to not only pledge, but also make good their contributions as early as January to obviate liquidity constraints that could cripple and destabilize the Government. The United Nations Development Programme has completed its first draft of a needs assessment study for personnel requirements for an independent East Timor Government. This report is a good starting point and can be used as the basis for discussion in the coming weeks. The Council of Ministers will require time to review the numbers and needs in order to be able to clearly articulate and fine-tune the Government's needs.”
2001-10-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4403 (2001) · source
“We have just made a comprehensive submission to the Government of Portugal to assist in providing technical assistance personnel to fill some of the positions earmarked for bilateral assistance. Our country's financial resources are presently inadequate to cover the costs of contracting experts to assist in the critical areas. The World Bank agrees with us that the use of the limited financial resources of the Trust Fund for East Timor and the Consolidated Fund for East Timor for that purpose would be to the detriment of education, health and other reconstruction and development sectors, which cannot in themselves be wholly funded from our own resources for the time being. I would also like to take this opportunity to inform the Council that the recurrent budget of East Timor of $65 million remains to be funded.”
2001-10-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4403 (2001) · source
“We are certain that this success will be sustainable only if the United Nations guarantees assistance through its mandatory assessed contributions to continue to support critical civilian posts in the follow-on mission. We have assessed the experience of other countries in similar positions that have tried to tap bilateral and multilateral sources to fund critical government functions and have found that they have not been successful, as these are not the traditional areas that donors are attracted to fund. That is not to say that we will not pursue bilateral, multilateral and other United Nations specialized agencies to assist in meeting our needs for a functioning Government.”
2001-10-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4403 (2001) · source
“It is for this reason, among other, poignant ones, that we consider it of utmost importance that this Council pays special attention to institution-building and the gradual transfer of administrative functions to our civil servants under phased and flexible arrangements. Accordingly, we request the Security Council to provide us with the necessary human, material and financial resources, which will demonstrate the success of the United Nations and the international community. This success should translate into the entrenchment of the democratic State, with all the requisite and functional institutions that will ensure the prevalence of the rule of law.”
2001-10-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4403 (2001) · source
“It will be recalled that, following the 30 August 2001 elections, the United Nations took the decisive and progressive step of setting up the legislative and executive arms of the State through the swearing in of members of the Constituent Assembly and the appointment of the members of the Council of Ministers. Within the next 60 days, we expect the Constituent Assembly of East Timor to complete the drafting of the country's constitution. At this juncture, it is my greatest pleasure to announce to this body that the Constituent Assembly of East Timor has reached a consensus to recommend that the date ofindependence be 20 May 2002. The people of East Timor consider that success can be achieved only if the viability of the State of East Timor is guaranteed well beyond UNTAET's existing mandate.”
2001-10-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4403 (2001) · source
“The smooth and gradual transfer of these administrative functions will ensure that the United Nations is continuing in an indirect way to foster and fortify peace-building and stability - something we, the East Timorese, cherish and believe the Security Council itself upholds. To this end, we would request that the Security Council maintain as far as possible the current United Nations civilian staffing component until the end of the transition and enter into dialogue with our Government before the end of the Transitional Administration on the post-independence staffing component.”
2001-10-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4403 (2001) · source
“The mandate of UNTAET was indeed comprehensive and consisted essentially of elements that included peacekeeping, establishing an effective administration, supporting capacity-building for self-governance, and the development of democratic institutions. Despite the achievements of UNTAET to date, its mandate is yet to be fully accomplished. The building of critical institutions for the new State, capacity- building and functional preparedness of the East Timorese are ultimate goals that are still to be achieved. For the people of East Timor, the priority is to continue the process of institution-building in order for UNTAET to effectively and systematically transfer its administrative functions to an independent East Timorese Government.”
2001-10-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4403 (2001) · source
“The Security Council adopted resolution 1272 (1999), which established the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) and, in an act without precedent, endowed the United Nations with the overall responsibility for the administration of East Timor. This mandate gave extensive authority to the Transitional Administration to act as the government of East Timor with all the powers to exercise legislative and executive authority, including the administration of justice. At that time, our dear friend the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Sergio Vieira de Mello, was handed the Herculean task of establishing a government from scratch.”
2001-10-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4403 (2001) · source
“In our View, this act of self- determination is the democratic foundation that will henceforth configure our independence. In its commitment to this democratic founding act, the United Nations has committed itself to building the democratic institutions and processes that the people of East Timor have also honoured and have been committed to at all stages. The outcome of the referendum speaks for itself, and as a result the people of East Timor have expressed their clear wish to begin a transition process towards independence under the authority of the United Nations. The brutal destruction of property and loss of human life that followed the announcements of the referendum's results necessitated a military intervention by the International Force in East Timor (INTERFET) to enforce security and avert a threat to peace and security.”
2001-10-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4403 (2001) · source
“However, after this sad and most unfortunate time of our history, including 1999, the Security Council did hear the cries of the children, mothers, men, women and elderly of our country. As an East Timorese, I am pleased to recall that in 1997, when Kofi Annan became Secretary-General, a new impetus was given to the quest for a just, peaceful and lasting solution for the East Timorese cause. The courage of our people, together with the total commitment of the United Nations Mission in East Timor (UNAMET) to the United Nations ideals and high standard of professionalism, was a formula that led to success. The 30 August 1999 referendum was an act of self-determination, with overwhelming participation by our people that went far beyond the expectations of the international community.”
2001-10-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4403 (2001) · source
“The responsibility borne by the United Nations in some countries with peace missions - for example, in East Timor - demands a careful and unbiased look into the past so as to avoid repetition of the same mistakes. We believe in and share the United Nations ideals and the sense of justice of its Member States. For this reason, for over two decades we have tenaciously worked with the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Decolonization Committee and the Human Rights Commission. During the 24 years of illegal Indonesian occupation, and despite Security Council and General Assembly resolutions, genocide was perpetrated in East Timor, resulting in the loss of more than 200,000 lives.”
2001-10-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4403 (2001) · source
“Mr. Alkatiri: Allow me to address my very first words to the United Nations Organization and to Secretary-General Kofi Annan and to present, on behalf of the Second Transitional Government of East Timor, our wholehearted congratulations on being awarded the 2001 Nobel Peace Prize. The awarding of this prestigious prize is the acknowledgement of the new role that the United Nations decided to take up and of the reformist stance taken by Secretary-General Annan since 1997. Despite the original aims in establishing this Organization - to prevent war and consolidate world peace - we all know that in the past, wrong political decisions were made and a huge price in human lives has been paid.”
2001-10-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4403 (2001) · source