International Federation for East Timor
Observer Project
Issue #4: Week ending July 24, 1999
Registration Observation and Report
Since the registration process began on July 16, IFET-OP observers in East
Timor have visited more than a score of registration sites. In addition
to sites in Dili, observers went to registration centers in the Bobonaro,
Manatuto and Liquica districts, including some rather remote villages in
these areas. There were no serious problems at any of the sites we visited.
The process seemed to be moving smoothly.
Based on the information gathered, IFET-OP issued our second report,
dealing with the first seven days of registration. The report was released
both in Dili and internationally (from New York) on Friday, July 23. In
summary, IFET-OP is impressed with how many people have registered thus
far. However, we are concerned about the tens of thousands of internal
refugees or internally displaced persons (IDPs), about the continuing instances
of intimidation by paramilitary groups, and about the ability of UNAMET
to accommodate everyone who wants to register, given the short time period
and UNAMETís level of resources.
IFET- OP therefore recommends that UNAMET establish additional voter
registration sites and/or mobile units, that the registration period be
extended, and that special efforts be made to ensure that all internally
displaced persons can register and vote, whatever their location. The full
report is available from the IFET New York office or on IFETís website
at http://etan.org/ifet/.
Accreditation of IFET-OP Observers Continues
The accreditation of IFET-OP observers continues here in Dili, with 61
already accredited by UNAMET. So far, UNAMET has accredited 139 international
observers, and another 511 East Timorese, Indonesian and Portuguese government
observers. As applicants who have been accepted by IFET-OP fax their UN
observer applications to our Dili office, we quickly submit them to UNAMET,
which usually accredits them within 24 hours. Details on the process are
available on the IFET-OP web site.
Some accredited observers have received their social-cultural visas
outside of East Timor. The first visa was issued in New York, and others
have been issued in Darwin, London and Wellington. However, the Indonesian
government has placed various obstacles and delays in this process, and
several of our observers have had to delay their flights to East Timor
while they wait for the visa. We strongly recommend that observers apply
for their accreditation and then their visas well in advance of their planned
departure dates.
Organizing the Dili Office
IFET-OP better defined its division of labor and organizational structure
in East Timor last week by designating interim officers. Marilyn Kajioka
is the IFET-OP external liaison, and Will Seaman serves as the consultation
(electoral) officer. Mark Rhomberg is working as the logistics officer,
while Garrick Ruiz is the interim education officer. Finally, Syl Groulx
is the office manager and treasurer, and Joe Nevins is the media/information
officer as well as the project coordinator. These assignments are only
temporary until the Executive Body is elected and its members arrive in
East Timor.
UNAMET News
By weekís end, all 200 UNAMET registration sites were fully operational
with one exception. A registration center in Kassa village, near Ainaro,
was closed on Sunday, July 18, 1999 after two unarmed militia members protested
against the UNAMET requirement to show two pieces of identification to
obtain the voter registration card.
Although voter registration has begun, the U.N. Secretary-General has
reserved his decision on whether the consultation can take place as tentatively
scheduled on August 21 or 22. We expect further information from the UN
Security Council early this week.
Housing Secured
This week IFET-OP secured its first house outside of Dili, in Baucau. In
the short-term, teams of observers will stay there for one or two nights
to observe the registration process in areas further east than we can easily
reach from Dili. Arrangements are also nearly complete for a house in the
town of Manatuto. We will secure more housing in other districts in the
coming week.
Outside East Timor
Trainings were held at the beginning of the week in Germany and San Francisco,
and at the end in Darwin and Washington. More are scheduled in the near
future in Oslo, Amsterdam, Chicago and again in Darwin. As increasing numbers
of IFET-OP Observers arrive in East Timor, the recruiting, selection, and
training phases of this project are winding down. Now we can get on with
the real work of observing, distributing our observations, and facilitating
a free and fair vote in East Timor.
East Timor field office (Dili)
Tel. 62-390-321969 fax:62-390-321264
ifet@dili.wasantara.net.id
International coordinator (New York)
Tel:1-914-428-7299 fax:1-914-428-7383
ifet@etan.org
http://www.etan.org/ifet
27 July 1999
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