YouSaid · the spoken record

Ramos-Horta

lines on the record: 288
first: 2001-01-26
most recent: 2017-09-20
sittings or episodes: 16
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

“As the past six months have shown, the Portuguese National Republican Guard (GNR) is a very effective force that served very well in Timor- Leste in 2001 to 2003 and has done so again more recently. It is for that reason that we have specifically requested that the GNR send us an additional unit to our country. We know that the Portuguese side is ready to deploy such a force, if requested by the United Nations. External support cannot be the solution in the long run. Therefore, my Government, supported by the United Nations, has made it an urgent priority to review and reform the entire security sector: the police and armed forces, including their management and overall governance structure.”
2007-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5628 (2007) · source
“Atul Khare for his leadership and Police Commissioner Rodolfo Tor for his efforts. I also wish to express our sincere appreciation for the previous acting United Nations Police Commissioner, Mr. Antero Lopes, for his leadership in undertaking a planning and operational assignment and bringing it to a successful conclusion despite scant resources. In view of the still-fragile and precarious conditions in my country, the President of the Republic, the President of the National Parliament and I believe it prudent to request the Council to consider the deployment of an additional formed police unit to be provided by Portugal. The Portuguese authorities stand ready to provide such a force in the lead-up to elections.”
2007-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5628 (2007) · source
“They provide an indispensable mechanism for coordination and cooperation in the security sector and thereby make an essential contribution to preserving the integrity, national reconciliation and development of the country. In the police sector, the arrangement between the United Nations and my Government on the restoration and maintenance of public security in Timor-Leste is addressing both policy and operational issues of police reform. Because the Special Representative has touched upon details of the training and reintegration of our police force, and for the sake of saving time for the Security Council, I will skip some of my prepared remarks in that regard. Under the United Nations Police Commissioner, Rodolfo Tor, the policing operations are starting to have an impact on returning law and order to the streets of Dili. I thank Mr.”
2007-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5628 (2007) · source
“I apologize if I have to step out before the meeting concludes, but members of my staff will stay behind. I would like first to address the question of the security sector. In May 2006, when Portuguese, Australian, New Zealand and Malaysian forces readily came to our assistance, there was a different situation: they saw a different Dili compared to the relative state of calm and order that we have returned to today. Then, 5 in May 2006, the Timorese national police, our police service, had disintegrated in the capital, and our defence forces were besieged. Since then, the security arrangements established on the ground have been working.”
2007-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5628 (2007) · source
“First, allow me to congratulate you, Sir, on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for this month and to thank you for giving me an opportunity to address the Council today. I would like to commend the Secretary-General for the report before the Council (S/2007/50), and for the statement just delivered by his Special Representative, Mr. Atul Khare. I generally concur with its observations and recommendations. On behalf of the Timorese people, I thank the Secretary- General for having appointed such distinguished diplomats as Mr. Atul Khare and his team. I thank them for their enormous efforts and good work in my country. Before I continue, I have to apologize; I may have to leave before the end of this meeting for a meeting with the Secretary-General.”
2007-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5628 (2007) · source
“As it was in 1999, the decision is in the hands of the Security Council - a decision that will decisively influence the course of events in my country, for good or for ill.”
2006-05-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5432 (2006) · source
“In the light of the political and security situation and the latest developments, and in response to our modest request, the Secretary-General proposed the establishment of an integrated office, as outlined in his recent report. In conclusion, I wish to reiterate the fact that the proposal contained in the Secretary-General's report represents the bare minimum that Timor-Leste requires. In the light of the latest developments, the Prime Minister, the President and I consider it desirable to have once again a robust international police force during the period leading to the national elections. Such a force, of at least a company strength, with appropriate logistical means, is required given the volatility and fragility of the situation.”
2006-05-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5432 (2006) · source
“As I stated in my letter of 2 March to Secretary- General Kofi Annan, the type of assistance needed to ensure an environment that is conducive to the successful conduct of elections in Timor-Leste includes "support and facilitation, as appropriate, in key areas relevant to our political consolidation, including in the areas of reconciliation and human rights." On the issue of establishing a reliable justice system and fostering respect for human rights, it is crucial that the international community remain committed to fostering the genuine commitment to justice and human rights that exists in the Government, in civil society and among the Timorese people.”
2006-05-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5432 (2006) · source
“Such a presence can provide impartial feedback and advice so as to reduce the possibility of conflict. Fourthly, there remains an acute need for continued international assistance to the justice sector. While the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has successfully developed a justice support programme, the funds made available are not sufficient to provide the support needed for the Office of the Prosecutor-General. Also, a significant number of human rights officers are needed to support the Office of the Ombudsman and the national Parliament to ensure that human rights considerations are fully respected in preparation for the national elections.”
2006-05-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5432 (2006) · source
“Possible security risks at the border with Indonesia prior to and during the elections would certainly be mitigated through an impartial United Nations presence and professional advice on effective border management. A small number of military liaison officers would be able to provide advice and assistance to the Timorese Government, particularly the PNTL, in liaising with our own Border Patrol Unit and the Indonesian military in the planning and conduct of proper border security operations and in monitoring the border security situation. Their presence will certainly promote a secure and peaceful environment for the conduct of elections. In the past, a United Nations presence on an international border has also proved to be an effective way of easing the tensions that arise from time to time because of misunderstandings.”
2006-05-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5432 (2006) · source
“While United Nations agencies and bilateral partners have agreed to take over most of the civilian advisory posts, we feel that there is a need to strengthen the institutional foundations of the Ministry of Defence and the F-FDTL through the drafting and implementation of the organic law and other instruments for effective management. As the President stated in his letter of 2 April, Timor-Leste requires advisers who can lay the legal and institutional foundations of the security agencies. Thirdly, the creation of a secure environment prior to, during and after the elections is of equal importance in the border region. That would require the engagement of impartial United Nations military liaison officers to monitor and advise on the security situation, and to liaise with our own Border Patrol Unit and the Indonesian military as required.”
2006-05-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5432 (2006) · source
“Its impartiality in a tense political environment may not always be guaranteed, particularly in dealing with the first nationwide elections. The presence of United Nations police will be vital to advise and support the national police in planning and carrying out their electorally related security responsibilities, including through training and assistance in the development and implementation of a comprehensive election security plan aimed at forestalling the development of volatile and possibly violent situations. The main focus of the integrated office will be electoral assistance. However, other support elements will be of equal importance in ensuring a free and fair electoral process, hence our request for continued civilian advisory and human rights support.”
2006-05-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5432 (2006) · source
“We greatly acknowledge the important role that the National Electoral Commission will play in monitoring the electoral process and in providing voter education throughout the 13 districts. To that end, the Commission will have to be provided with sufficient financial and human resources, which naturally calls for an independent source such as the United Nations in order to ensure impartiality, transparency and fairness. Secondly, I wish briefly to elaborate on the challenge of upholding internal stability, the rule of law and respect for human rights before, during and after the elections. While the national police force has been trained by United Nations police and bilateral partners and has the basic know-how to do routine policing, recent events demonstrated the inability of the PNTL to act decisively and swiftly in crisis situations.”
2006-05-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5432 (2006) · source
“As concerns the timing of the elections and with the aim of precluding any unnecessary delays, the President and the Government have agreed to hold both the parliamentary and the presidential elections before or by May 2007 in order to swear in the new parliament and president by 20 May 2007. While the Technical Secretariat for the Administration of Elections will take the lead in organizing and administering the elections, including logistics and operational activities, the National Electoral Commission will supervise electoral preparatory activities, voter education and electoral campaigns. The United Nations electoral needs assessment mission that visited Timor-Leste in November last year has provided valuable guidance to the Government in its discussions on the electoral laws and procedures.”
2006-05-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5432 (2006) · source
“I wish now to outline the four most pertinent reasons for establishing an integrated office following the completion of the current UNOTIL mandate. First, on the political environment, I wish to reiterate that the country is still in a consolidation phase and that democracy and peace remain fragile. As mentioned earlier, representatives from civil society organizations, the church and opposition political parties with whom I have consulted have indicated their concerns that the law enforcement agency, the PNTL, has not reached the level of maturity or attained the professionalism to fully resist political party influences. The transparency of the electoral process will directly affect the legitimacy of the outcome of the elections and the prospects for the development of a healthy, multiparty democratic system in Timor-Leste.”
2006-05-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5432 (2006) · source
“The meeting will serve to take stock of the situation in the country and look at ways for the State and the church to enhance relations and cooperate to ensure peace and stability. Notwithstanding the recent security developments, the Government is moving swiftly to prepare for the upcoming elections. The draft electoral laws on the presidential and parliamentary elections were submitted to the Council of Ministers, which approved them on 26 April. The draft laws will now be sent to the national Parliament for a broad public debate, and we expect the law to be approved by the national Parliament after its recess in September. Having consulted internally and having taken due consideration of concerns raised by civil society, the church and other stakeholders, we have called upon the international community to assist us in that endeavour.”
2006-05-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5432 (2006) · source
“President Xanana Gusmao and Prime Minister Alkatiri have held regular consultations and there have been frequent consultations between the two leaders with the leadership of the defence and police forces. The Government is in full control of the situation and public administration continues to function, though at a much slower pace, as many civil servants have left town. The F-FDTL has now completely returned to the barracks. The PNTL is charge of law and order. I have personally been in regular touch with the church hierarchy and I can inform the Council that next week, upon my return, a meeting will be held involving the two bishops, President Xanana Gusmao, the Prime Minister and the other Government ministers.”
2006-05-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5432 (2006) · source
“Prime Minister Alkatiri told me last night that many former F-FDTL soldiers have made contact with the authorities in their respective districts. The Government has established another commission to look into the losses incurred by individuals and to propose ways to assist them. As I speak today, Dili is on edge. Fear is palpable among a people traumatized by past violence. There are concerns about the ability of the PNTL to maintain law and order. There is concern about cohesion within the remaining F-FDTL forces. However, I wish to assure the Council that the same leadership that guided our people through the past 30 years is united and determined to overcome this new challenge.”
2006-05-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5432 (2006) · source
“However, rumours and panic have caused an exodus from Dili to the districts. An estimated 10,000 to 15,000 Dili residents have left Dili for the rural areas. Dili has at least 180,000 people; at least 5,000 more are sheltered in churches, the UNOTIL compound, schools and so on. The central Government in Dili and the district authorities have been doing their best to deliver basic services to the people. A positive development yesterday, 4 May, was that President Xanana Gusmao spoke on the phone with Lieutenant Salsinha, who reiterated that his group would abide by the commission's findings and recommendations. Lieutenant Salsinha has also told the President that he is seeking assurances about his safety and is ready do return to Dili. According to Prime Minister Alkatiri, Lieutenant Salsinha's safety is assured.”
2006-05-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5432 (2006) · source
“In addition, as Special Representative Hasegawa has just briefed the members of the Council, the UNOTIL Human Rights Unit, the Ombudsman and the National Red Cross were all able to carry out immediate investigations into the allegations and have found no evidence. However, I can state here that, if all the assurances given by my Government and the initiatives it has taken, such as the establishment of a commission to look into the allegations, as well as other separate investigations referred to above, are not sufficient, as Minister for Foreign Affairs I am issuing an invitation to appropriate United Nations rapporteurs - possibly the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions - to visit the country and carry out a thorough investigation into those and other allegations. The situation has since calmed down.”
2006-05-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5432 (2006) · source
“All three emphatically denied the allegations. I also urged General Taur Matan Ruak to immediately visit the President, which he did at his private residence at about 1.00 a.m. on 30 April. The General promptly went to see the President as I had asked him to do and the two met for two hours, during which the General was able to explain to the President the absurdity and the malicious nature of those rumours. In response to the allegations that many more than five individuals had been killed during the 28 April incidents, the Government established a commission for the verification of data on the dead and wounded.”
2006-05-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5432 (2006) · source
“In the absence of any evidence of their involvement in the riots, all 100 detainees were ordered to be released by the Dili district court, which reviewed their cases on Sunday, 30 April. All 100 were released, including several former F-FDTL elements who were also in detention. There have been unsubstantiated allegations and rumours that many more people were killed by the F- FDTL. Figures mentioned in those rumours and allegations vary from 20 to 60. However, I have personally made every effort to find out if there is any basis to such allegations. Upon hearing the first rumours about the number of people killed beyond what had been established by the police, I personally spoke at length with the F-FDTL commander, Brigadier-General Taur Matan Ruak, Interior Minister Rogerio Lobato and Police Commissioner Paulo Martins.”
2006-05-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5432 (2006) · source
“By Friday evening, five persons were reported killed and more than 30 injured, including four policemen, one of whom critically. Forty-five shacks were destroyed and 116 partially destroyed, all belonging to the poorest people living in the suburbs. No foreign national, embassy, United Nations property or major business was attacked, even though all such businesses and some embassies, including the Australian embassy, are on the main road used by the demonstrators as they left the city towards the west. On the first day of the intervention by the defence force - which was called in to intervene by the Prime Minister in view of the failure of the police to intervene - 100 people were detained. Having detained them, the F-FDTL handed them over to the police. At no time did the F-FDTL keep any individual in detention.”
2006-05-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5432 (2006) · source
“From then on it was next to impossible, short of swift police intervention, to engage in further dialogue with the military, because the military itself was no longer able to regain leadership of the demonstration. That was the reality in the days leading to the outbreak of violence. No major damage was done in the ensuing violence that took place in the afternoon of 28 April. Subsequently, the mob broke into smaller groups and went in different directions, triggering rioting, fighting and arson in the outskirts of the city, but it was the poor neighbourhood of Tasitolu and the Taibessi market that bore the brunt of the acts of vandalism. Most elements of the ex-military did not join in the violence and actually dispersed to various destinations.”
2006-05-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5432 (2006) · source
“Here, I would like to clarify for members of the Council that I personally spent many hours - in fact, several days - in dialogue with the leaders of the military group. While they seemed to show willingness and flexibility to find a peaceful solution to the problem with the Government, I also conveyed to the military group my perception and feeling that they had seemed to have lost control of the demonstrations. Being politically inexperienced and having never organized a political demonstration, the military allowed a particular group - Coliman 2000 - to hijack their demonstration and their agenda. That was when the ex-military lost control and that group, which is essentially a mob of hooligans that were known way back in the time of UNTAET in 1999 and 2000, took control of the demonstration.”
2006-05-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5432 (2006) · source
“Subsequently, the senior leadership of the defence forces also stated that they would abide by the commission's conclusions and recommendations. Following the announcement of the establishment of the commission, the group's demonstration continued, yet with no more than 800 protestors present and no more than 200 of the ex-F-FDTL soldiers present. The main speaker, Osorio Leki - who is not a member of the group but a sympathetic relative, as well as the Secretary General of the PDRT party - told the demonstrators that the objective of the demonstration was not to establish a commission but to find an immediate solution to the issues. He rejected the proposal, arguing that 90 days were too long to wait for a resolution.”
2006-05-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5432 (2006) · source
“Ana Pessoa and Vice-Minister for the Interior Alcino Barris as its representatives to serve in the investigation commission. The presidency of the Republic, the National Parliament and the judiciary have all nominated their respective representatives. The Bishops of Dili and Baucau and the NGO Forum have nominated advisers to the commission. I was informed late last night, New York time, by Prime Minister Alkatiri that the commission of investigation would began its work at once. In the course of several days prior to 28 April, I personally held conversations with the leader of the ex- F-FDTL members, Mr. Gastao Salsinha. He stated to me that his group would accept the conclusions and recommendations of the commission.”
2006-05-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5432 (2006) · source
“However, he also reiterated that the position of the group was that there should be resolution of their demands, otherwise they would call for a general strike. On 27 April, Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri, with President Xanana Gusmao at his side, announced the establishment of an investigation commission to look into the allegations contained in the petition of the former F-FDTL members. The investigation commission was due to commence its work on Tuesday, 2 May. We assured the protesters that it would complete its mandate within 90 days. Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri subsequently pledged to Mr. Salsinha and his group that the Commission would complete the investigation and present its conclusions and recommendations much earlier, within one month. The Government has appointed Senior Minister and Minister of State Administration Ms.”
2006-05-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5432 (2006) · source
“onwards, at which an estimated 1,000 demonstrators participated. Unlike the first day, the tone of the protesters became more critical towards the Government and they requested a political solution to the demand of the 594 dismissed soldiers. On 26 April, speeches continued, with a more anti-Government content, including by a member of the Timor-Leste armed forces (F-FDTL) in full uniform, who provocatively warned that if the problem were not resolved there would be bloodshed and that elected leaders should be removed if they could not resolve such issues. On the same day, the group's leader, Lieutenant Salsinha, accepted the Government proposal that I personally had conveyed to him.”
2006-05-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5432 (2006) · source
“It was agreed to end the impasse by reinstating the salaries of the, now, 594 soldiers until their final status was decided, conducting a formal legal process on a case-by-case basis, not discriminating against those who were formally discharged in the competition for jobs - for instance, if they were to apply to join the national police force - and by providing Government assistance in the search for gainful employment. On 24 April, members of the group of soldiers, along with members of their families and sympathizers, began their planned five-day march and demonstration from Tasi Tolu, west of Dili, to the cultural centre of Uma Fukun. About 1,000 to 2,000 persons participated in the demonstration on the first day. On 25 April, the group continued to hold demonstrations, from around 8 am.”
2006-05-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5432 (2006) · source
“Let me provide the Council with more detailed background of recent political and security developments. On 8 February, around 300 members of the armed forces demonstrated in front of the President's office, demanding a response to their petition of 15 January concerning alleged discrimination in promotions and ill-treatment. On 9 February, those soldiers agreed to return to their military base. However, although a commission of inquiry had been established, no progress was made towards resolving the issue. In mid-March, the situation culminated in the mass dismissal of 591 soldiers, representing 40 per cent of the armed forces. On 12 April, President Xanana Gusmao held separate meetings with Prime Minister Alkatiri and Brigadier Taur Matan Ruak.”
2006-05-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5432 (2006) · source
“I would now like to share my perception of the recent political and security developments in Timor- Leste and of the remaining requirements for the continued presence and support of the United Nations for one year, leading to the first presidential and parliamentary elections since the restoration of independence, five years ago. As UNOTIL's mandate draws to a close, Timor- Leste is preparing for the holding of the first post- independence national elections. The Government of Timor-Leste and its people are determined, at this crucial juncture in our country's history, to ensure that the presidential and parliamentary elections are held in a free, fair and credible manner. However, recent developments indicate that threats remain to our fragile peace and stability.”
2006-05-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5432 (2006) · source
“The Secretary-General responded positively to our request and recommended the establishment of a small integrated United Nations office for a period of 12 months, starting on 21 May this year. I very much hope that the members of this body will give due consideration to the request we have placed before them. I will be candid with the members of the Council. The incidents in Dili last week were a wake-up call to us, the East Timorese leadership, as well as to the international community, that we must not take for granted the apparent tranquillity in the country and that urgent preventive measures must be taken in a resolute manner to prevent a relapse into the past of violence and instability.”
2006-05-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5432 (2006) · source
“We are grateful that, following the deployment of the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) and the restoration of Timor-Leste's independence, in 2002, the members of the Council authorized successive missions, namely, the United Nations Mission of Support in East Timor (UNMISET) and the United Nations Office in Timor-Leste (UNOTIL). Those consolidation missions were crucial in ensuring the functioning of vital State institutions and the enhancement of peace. On separate occasions earlier this year, my President, the Prime Minister and I have requested the Secretary-General to establish a special political office comprising four main components: an electoral assistance component, United Nations police advisers, military liaison officers and civilian advisers.”
2006-05-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5432 (2006) · source
“The Report of the Panel on United Nations Peace Operations - the Brahimi report - (S/2000/809) and the Secretary-General's High-level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change eloquently elaborated on the complexities of post-conflict periods and nation-building and made convincing arguments that for peace to be durable the international community must stay resolutely engaged. While we must all be cognizant of the political and financial constraints that militate against ideal solutions, I nevertheless believe that a long-term plan and commitment are most effective in securing peace, and are much less costly. Our experience shows that short-term missions are inefficient and costly.”
2006-05-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5432 (2006) · source
“Within days of the Council's historic decision to authorize the International Force, East Timor (INTERFET), Australian Hercules planes began to roar over the mountains of the rugged island, and hundreds of brave men and women in uniform disembarked. While the Council was not able to prevent a thorough destruction of the country, it did prevent a greater human tragedy. Its decisive action saved many thousands of lives. The United Nations humanitarian agencies, coordinated by the late Sergio Vieira de Mello, also acted swiftly and a much-feared humanitarian disaster did not materialize. Timor-Leste remains one of the United Nations finest success stories. With Timor-Leste in 1999, the Organization entered a new and unexplored experiment in nation-building.”
2006-05-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5432 (2006) · source
“I am here again before the Council to argue for a modest yet robust United Nations presence in Timor-Leste from May 2006 to May 2007. I am doing so against the background of the most recent developments in my country. I will be candid in offering a sober analysis of the problems we are facing, the risks ahead, and the possibilities of continuing progress in consolidating our still fragile democracy. In September 1999, those serving in this Council, acting swiftly on the advice of our esteemed Secretary- General, ended the violence in Timor-Leste that followed the United Nations-sponsored referendum of 30 August 1999. That was one of the United Nations finest moments. The Council and others in the United Nations family responded to the calls of our people and of millions around the world and took swift action.”
2006-05-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5432 (2006) · source
“But since 1999 the United Nations has made a tremendous contribution, under the Secretary- General's leadership and under the Security Council's leadership, to what today is one of the most successful United Nations stories in the world. We do not want to, as it were, blackmail the Council with dire, dark scenarios, but the reality is that, as much as we are all - the East Timorese leadership and people, and the international community - rightly proud of the achievements, peace in East Timor and the institutions that have made that peace a reality are all very fragile. We do not believe that a request for a six- month to one-year mission extension, to consolidate the peace that we have achieved, is asking too much. I thank the Council; may God the almighty and merciful inspire it in its deliberations.”
2005-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5132 (2005) · source
“I know that, for those who have served on the Security Council over the last five years, my personal credibility is not very high, because this is not the first time I have appeared here to request another six-month or one-year extension. But members are familiar with the Latin proverb, "errare humanum est". I have erred in the past, being on the optimistic side, thinking that by 2004 we would no longer need a peacekeeping mechanism in Timor-Leste. We are requesting one more one-year or six-month extension of the peacekeeping mechanism. It is a very small, critical mission. We know that the Security Council faces extraordinary burdens elsewhere.”
2005-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5132 (2005) · source
“It would show that, at this time of debates and so-called dialogue among civilizations, a predominantly Muslim country and a predominantly Catholic country, both from the developing world, have the courage and vision to address their shared past and bring to an end the most unhappy chapter of their past in a manner satisfactory to our peoples, first and foremost, but also meeting the expectations of the international community. In conclusion, on behalf of my President, my Prime Minister and my people, I appeal to the Security Council to consider positively our request for one final year's extension of the United Nations mission in Timor-Leste.”
2005-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5132 (2005) · source
“My President and I spent a considerable amount of time consulting with church leaders, members of civil society, non- governmental organizations and all political parties represented in our parliament. We are aware that this initiative is unique. It is the first time in modern history that two countries previously in conflict have decided to deal with issues of violence through a joint Truth and Reconciliation Commission. We believe that, if this process is successful, particularly since it involves a predominantly Catholic country - one of the smallest and poorest in the world - and the largest Muslim country - a vibrant functioning democracy - it could indeed set a positive precedent for the rest of the world.”
2005-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5132 (2005) · source
“They will have freedom of movement in Indonesia and Timor-Leste, unrestricted access to any documentation available from existing sources - namely, from the Indonesian Ad Hoc Human Rights Tribunal, from our serious crimes process and from our Commission for Reception, Truth and Reconciliation - and will have the authority to interview any individual in Indonesia or Timor-Leste they deem necessary to provide additional information for their work. The Commission might have one to two years of work and will finalize its work in a report submitted to our two Presidents, who will then submit it to our respective parliaments. In deciding what would be the best mechanism for our two Governments and countries to deal with the events of the past, we for our part also took into consideration the views of many.”
2005-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5132 (2005) · source
“In the discussions of the terms of reference we have held with our Indonesian colleagues and friends, the two sides have been very conscious that the terms of reference of the Truth and Friendship Commission must, above all, be credible and must gain the acceptance of our own peoples, both in Timor-Leste and in Indonesia. Members of the joint Commission will number roughly 10; a final decision on this is to be made by the two Presidents. They will be drawn from independent individuals: academics, human rights experts, jurists and historians from both Timor-Leste and Indonesia. Commission members will have full immunity in the conduct of their work.”
2005-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5132 (2005) · source
“Allow me briefly to share with Council members some elements of the terms of reference for our Truth and Friendship Commission, with a cautionary note that, while the document has been thoroughly reviewed at ministerial level, it still requires the signature of our two Presidents and our Prime Ministers or Foreign Ministers for it to become official and valid. We anticipate that, in the next week or two, our two Presidents and Prime Ministers will initial the terms of reference of our Truth and Friendship Commission. Because that document runs to more or less three pages in my speech, I will simply summarize it in one minute.”
2005-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5132 (2005) · source
“Hundreds of individuals of East Timorese origin continue to be on the Indonesian civil service payroll, and several hundred others continue to be on active duty in the Indonesian national police and army, without suffering discrimination. We are aware that it is impossible to satisfy the needs of all victims and that it is impossible to provide perfect justice. The cross-jurisdictional nature of the conflict in question lends support to the argument that, in this case, a Truth and Friendship Commission is best placed in a bi-national institutional context. It is time for Timor-Leste and Indonesia to deal with our shared and turbulent past, while securing our democratic future.”
2005-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5132 (2005) · source
“The several hundred armed elements that fled to Indonesian West Timor in 1999 have been deterred from destabilizing Timor-Leste thanks to the determined policy of the Indonesian Government to contribute to Timor-Leste's stability and to close cooperation between the leaderships of the peacekeeping force and the Indonesia Military Forces (TNI). Land border demarcation talks between our two sides have progressed in record time, and have now reached some 96 per cent completion. Our two Governments are determined to finalize the land border demarcation process, but we cannot anticipate when that process will be completed.”
2005-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5132 (2005) · source
“Indonesian leaders and the Indonesian people have shown a remarkable sense of pragmatism in welcoming Timor-Leste as a sovereign, independent nation. Former President Abdurrahman Wahid visited Timor-Leste in 2000, and then President Megawati Soekarnoputri attended our independence celebration in 2002. The Indonesian military leadership has displayed overall good faith in cooperating with the United Nations civilian and military authorities in Timor-Leste since soon after their evacuation from the territory in 1999.”
2005-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5132 (2005) · source
“Yet, overall, the democratic experiment in Indonesia is still an incipient and fragile one, and there is no guarantee that those elements will not gain influence and, ultimately, power. The East Timorese and the international community must accept and understand the complex challenges faced by the elected civilian leaders in Indonesia in trying to consolidate their democratic experiment with prudent reforms. Excessive outside pressure on elected civilian leaders to meet the expectations of the international community to have a credible prosecutorial and trial process - that is, the jailing of senior military officers - as desirable as that may be for some, could result in unrest within the armed forces, thus undermining stability and the entire democratic experiment in the largest Muslim country in the world.”
2005-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5132 (2005) · source
“Tens of thousands of Indonesians were jailed, killed, tortured, branded as "communists" and stigmatized for most of their lives. Hence, Indonesia, in its national parliament, adopted its own truth and reconciliation law. Timor-Leste and Indonesia have a long way to go towards consolidating democracy and the rule of law. Timor-Leste is starting anew, from the ashes of the violence of 1999. Indonesia, too, is starting anew, and is struggling to reform its judiciary and armed forces. Indonesia is the largest Muslim country in the world, home to 230 million people; and now it is the third largest democracy, however imperfect. In 2004, that multi-ethnic and multicultural nation went through two democratic elections, which were regarded by all impartial observers as truly free and open. Radical Islamic parties failed to make any gains.”
2005-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5132 (2005) · source
“Restorative justice - the main focus of truth commissions - is about people, where the victims are the primary concern and not simply witnesses, and the perpetrator is compelled to truth. Timor-Leste requires the focus to be on restorative justice so that primary attention is given to people, participation, dialogue, needs and the future. Our past is both tragic and bloody; if we are to reach back into the past, how far do we go? The greatest act of justice and blessing bestowed on the people of East Timor is our freedom. Today we are free. That is justice, for there can be no greater justice than our freedom. Indonesia, too, is free as never before and is beginning to take steps to confront its own past in order to extricate itself from a pervasive culture of violence, abuse and impunity.”
2005-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5132 (2005) · source