United Nations Daily Highlights, 99-06-11

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From: The United Nations Home Page at <http://www.un.org> - email: [email protected]

DAILY HIGHLIGHTS

Friday, 11 June, 1999

Latest Developments

HEADLINES

• Security Council sets up UN mission to conduct popular ballot on future of East Timor.
• Six-month extension of UN mission in Sierra Leone approved by Security Council.

Acting unanimously, the Council voted to establish UNAMET through the end of August with the task of organizing and conducting a direct popular consultation scheduled to be held on 8 August.

The secret ballot will determine whether the East Timorese people accept the proposed constitutional framework providing the territory with special autonomy or reject it, in which case Indonesia will take steps to grant East Timor independence.

The Council endorsed the Secretary-General's proposal that UNAMET be comprised of political, electoral and information components. It also authorized the deployment within UNAMET of up to 280 civilian police officers to advise the Indonesian Police, as well as 50 military liaison officers to maintain contact with the Indonesian Armed Forces.

The resolution noted the intention of the Indonesian and Portuguese Governments to send equal numbers of representatives to observe the operational phases of the consultation process.

In welcoming the establishment of a ministerial team to monitor the popular vote, the Council stressed again the responsibility of the Indonesian Government in the maintenance of peace and security in East Timor to ensure the integrity of the ballot and the security of international staff and observers.

Late yesterday afternoon, the Security Council was briefed on UN preparations for the mission by Francesc Vendrell, head of the Asia-Pacific Division in the UN Department of Political Affairs.

Speaking to reporters after his briefing of the Council, Mr. Vendrell stressed that the UN's task was not merely in observing or supervising the vote.

"It is the responsibility of the Secretary-General to hold the consultation and he is not going to hold it if he does not feel that the conditions are there for a free and fair consultation," Mr. Vendrell said. He also noted that while there had been improvement in the political and security situation in the East Timor capital of Dili, "there is still a lot of concern about the security situation in other parts of territory, where we feel a great deal more needs to be done."

The Council made its decision by unanimously adopting a resolution that renewed until 13 December 1999 the mandate of the UN Observer Mission in Sierra Leone (UNOMSIL).

In his latest report to the Council, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said it was "critical that the Mission should remain in a position to render effective assistance to the peace process in Sierra Leone."

In the event of a successful outcome to the talks between the Sierra Leonean Government and rebel representatives, the resolution foresees the possibility of an expanded UNOMSIL presence -- with a revised mandate and concept of operations -- as recommended by the Secretary-General. The Council underlined in this context that "further eventual deployment of UNOMSIL should be considered, taking into account security conditions."

Stressing that an overall political settlement and national reconciliation were essential to achieving a peaceful resolution of the conflict, the Council welcomed the peace talks in Lome, Togo, between the Government of Sierra Leone and representatives of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF).

The resolution also emphasized the Council's strong support for those involved in UN mediation efforts within the Lome process. It noted in particular the efforts of the Special Representative of the Secretary- General and the key role played by the President of Togo as current Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

From the United Nations home page at <http://www.un.org> - email: [email protected]

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