Subject: AFP: UN rules out peacekeeping force for
ETimor violence
Date: Tue, 06 Apr 1999 18:03:18 -0400
From: "John M. Miller" <fbp@igc.apc.org>Received from Joyo:
UN rules out peacekeeping force for ETimor violence
UNITED NATIONS, April 6 (AFP) - The United Nations on Tuesday issued a new appeal to
the East Timorese and Indonesia not to derail political talks but rejected a call for a UN
peacekeeping force to stop violence.
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan was "seriously concerned by continuing reports
from East Timor of an escalation of violence," his spokesman Fred Eckhard said in a
statement.
"He emphasizes his commitment to the continuation of the diplomatic process
towards the settlement of the East Timor question and urges the parties not to allow the
process to be jeopardized by increasing armed conflict," Eckhard said.
Eckhard added that "a high degree of political maturity and statesmanship is
required at this time so that the opportunity now on the table can be seized."
Annan issued a first statement expressing concern about the upsurge in violence on
Monday.
UN officials said Annan was aware of a call from jailed pro-independence leader Xanana
Gusmao, who issued a statement Monday calling on his followers to take up arms in
self-defence following the reported deaths of 17 East Timorese.
However they also noted that Gusmao had not issued the call personally, but via his
lawyer Johnson Panjaitan. On Tuesday Johnson told a news conference that Gusmao was
calling for a UN peacekeeping force.
The call was swiftly rejected by Jakarta and Eckhard told AFP that "there is no
proposal for a peacekeeping force to be considered at this time."
The latest developments came as Portugal and Indonesia are preparing for a new round of
talks at the United Nations that is expected to reach agreement on a draft autonomy
package for the former Portuguese colony.
If rejected, as expected, in a UN-organized vote by the East Timorese, Indonesia has
said that the territory which it annexed in 1976 will be allowed to gain independence.
A UN assessment team, which was dispatched to prepare for the UN-sponsored poll, is due
back in New York next week to report back to Annan's personal representative for East
Timor, Jamsheed Marker.
Back to April Menu
Human Rights Violations in East Timor
Main Postings Menu
June '98 through February '99 |
