STATEMENT BY
H.E. AMBASSADOR HASMY AGAM
PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF MALAYSIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS
ON THE SITUATION IN EAST TIMOR
TUESDAY, 29 AUGUST 2000
I wish to thank Assistant Secretary-General Hedi Annabi for updating the Council on the situation in East Timor.
2. Since many issues related to the transitional process in East Timor and the United Nations mission there have already been touched upon in past discussions as well as by earlier speakers, I shall confine my intervention to three aspects only – the security situation, the question East Timorese defence force and the refugee situation. Of course, like other speakers, we note the 1st anniversary tomorrow of the UN-sponsored consultation process in East Timor.
3. We continue to be deeply concerned about the refugee situation both in respect of the security conditions in the camps hosting East Timorese refugees and along the repatriation route between East Timor and Indonesia. UNTAET is struggling to cope with militia incursions which have left local people afraid and vulnerable. While UNTAET can contain militia activity inside East Timor, it cannot, however, be expected to totally secure the border. Militias who have infiltrated the border might well be biding their time before hitting pre-designated targets. We note that the fatal 10th August clashes between Nepalese UN soldiers and the militia near the town of Suai followed a spate of militia incursions along the West Timor border over the last two months. The increasing number of incidents between the militia and UN patrols is also further delaying the return of East Timorese refugees and are fuelling fears that security in the border region will continue to deteriorate. UNTAET will therefore have to remain vigilant.
4. We hope the problem will not significantly affect East Timor’s security. In this regard, we trust that more strenuous efforts will be made to rein in the militias and to expedite the return of East Timorese from the refugee camps in West Timor.
5. We note that in their first move out of forced cantonment since UN deployment in East Timor, the National Liberation of East Timor (FALINTIL) will join UNTAET in security operations along the border. FALINTIL’s plan to join the territory’s defence came as UN mission in East Timor signalled that FALINTIL would be recognised as the core of the territory’s new defence force. We recognise that while the forging of regional relationships contributes to the security of East Timor, it must also be prepared to defend itself. Top officials from UNTAET have already met with East Timorese army commanders to discuss proposals for a security system for an independent East Timor. The options would involve either the creation of a defence force through conscription or the maintenance of a volunteer reserve force of a varied number of troops. We recognise the important contribution of King’s College of London for its independent study on this aspect of East Timor’s future needs.
6. In another sign of the emerging political face of the new East Timor, Mr. Xanana Gusmao had turned over his post as commander in chief of FALINTIL to his deputy at a ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the founding of the guerrilla army on 20 August. We welcome this move which would further strengthen the credentials of Mr. Gusmao as a leader and statesman in the post-independence period. We believe this handing over of military command as a symbolic but important act as it affirms the democratic principle of the separation of the military from politics and paves the way for a democratic independent East Timor.
7. We cannot fail to draw attention to the fact that in contrast to the progress achieved in several areas, the suffering of the thousands of refugees who remain in West Timor has not been resolved satisfactorily. We would like to express the concern of my delegation about the seriousness of the current situation, particularly in certain areas where International Organization for Migration (IOM) and UNHCR have had to suspend important activities because of intimidation by militias against the workers of these agencies. We condemn last week’s attack by suspected militias on three UNHCR workers at a refugee camp in West Timor. We maintain that the key to any solution of the East Timor refugee problem in West Timor is separation of former militias and soldiers from genuine refugees; the maintenance of law and order in the camps; and clarification of the status of East Timorese employed by the Indonesian government.
8. Malaysia remains firmly committed to the peace and stability in East Timor. The Foreign Minister of Malaysia had used the opportunity of his recent visit to East Timor to emphasise Malaysia’s continuing support for East Timor’s long-term reconstruction and development. He brought along with him a group of important Malaysian entrepreneurs. He had also used the visit to underline Malaysia’s concern at the militia activity in East Timor and at the border region and the need for an early resolution of the refugee problem in West Timor.
9. Finally, Malaysia would like to pay tribute to UNTAET for their continued commitment and high professionalism and to the people of East Timor who have shown remarkable patience and fortitude in facing their continuing hardships. Malaysia would also like to express its profound condolences to New Zealand, Bangladesh and Nepal for the loss of their soldiers in the service of the United Nations in East Timor.