01 Feb 02 12:16 East Timor: UN Administrator Seeks 'Triangular' Cooperation with CPLP

East Timor´s UN transition administrator, Sergio Vieira de Mello, defends the creation of a "triangular" aid dynamic, involving Dili, the Community of Portuguese-speaking Countries (CPLP) and international financial institutions.

Vieira de Mello, interviewed by Lusa in New York Thursday, said the proposed aid mechanism could be launched when leaders of the seven CPLP member countries meet in Dili May 21, the day after East Timor´s proclamation of independence.

Triangular cooperation could mesh international financial resources, such as from the World Bank or the Asian Development Bank, with the CPLP´s "technical and human resources", the Brazilian UN diplomat said.

The Dili summit of the CPLP, which East Timor plans to join, would allow the bloc, binding Portugal and Brazil to Lisbon´s five former African territories, to demonstrate their "historical and cultural solidarity" with the East Timorese, he added.

Vieira de Mello, who participated in the UN Security Council debate on East Timor Wednesday, spoke to Lusa Thursday before flying to Brazil, his homeland, for an official visit.

He said he would seek increased Brazilian aid for East Timor in his meetings next week with President Fernando Henrique Cardoso and other Brazilian officials in Brasilia.

Beyond increased Brazilian participation in the UN peacekeeping force, Vieira de Mello said Brasilia could also boost aid in areas such as education, health, agriculture and professional training.

Helping in the building of a new nation was a "great privilege" personally, said Vieira de Mello, who has headed Dili´s UNTAET transition administration since October 1999.

Much of "what seemed impossible to realize" had been achieved, he added, recalling the widespread destruction of the territory by Indonesian proxy militias after the East Timorese voted overwhelmingly for independence in August 1999.

SAS/ST -Lusa-

© 1997 Lusa Comentários e Sugestões para Agência Lusa

Back to January menu
December
World Leaders Contact List
Human Rights Violations in East Timor
Main Postings Menu