Statement on Timor-Leste delivered by Australian Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations H.E Robert Hill, to the Security Council on Timor Leste
13 December 2007
(As delivered)
Australia welcomes the opportunity to again address the Security Council and to contribute to the Council’s deliberations on Timor-Leste. Australia welcomes also the report of the Security Council mission to Timor-Leste and the liaison between the Security Council mission members and the International Stabilisation Force. I note that the Secretary-General of the UN and both Australia’s Prime Minister, the Hon Kevin Rudd, and Foreign Minister, the Hon Stephen Smith, will be visiting Timor-Leste on 14 December for further discussions on these issues.
Australia has been at the forefront of international efforts to assist Timor-Leste in laying the foundations for a stable and prosperous nation. We have vital interests in ensuring Timor-Leste’s future success and have demonstrated our continued commitment through our substantial development and security support. We are a leading donor to Timor-Leste and make a significant contribution to Timor-Leste’s security, including through our leadership of the International Stabilisation Force.
Australia welcomes recent positive developments in Timor-Leste such as the successful holding of elections this year. UN efforts in Timor-Leste have been integral in creating an environment conducive to the return of stability. Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, Mr Atul Khare, has made a particularly important contribution in promoting the constructive and peaceful engagement of Timor-Leste’s political leadership who have principal responsibility for achieving good governance and consolidating democracy.
But while Timor-Leste has come a long way since the unrest in April/May 2006, the security situation remains fragile pending the resolution of long-term social, political, security and governance challenges. Timor-Leste’s security institutions remain weak. The presence of significant numbers of internally displaced persons in camps around Dili and the districts remains a concern. Unemployment, including among Timor-Leste’s young population, is also unacceptably high, creating hardship for Timor-Leste’s citizens and fuelling political instability. These issues must be addressed as the basis for Timor-Leste’s long-term stability and prosperity.
The Government and people of Timor-Leste recognise the challenges ahead and are working hard to begin to address them. But they face significant capacity constraints and will need international support for some time to come.
Last year’s unrest underscores the importance of sustained international engagement in Timor-Leste to lay a solid foundation for peace and prosperity. The UN has invested much in Timor-Leste and must remain at the forefront of international efforts to support the new nation. This should be reflected in an extension of a strong UNMIT mandate focused strategically on areas of key concern.
In particular, it will be important for the UN to continue to play the primary security role in Timor-Leste until local security forces are able to manage independently, importantly through a strong and effective police presence. Security sector reform will be crucial if the people of Timor-Leste are to take full responsibility for their own future.
With the full support of the Timor-Leste Government, Australia intends to continue to provide military support to UNPOL for as long as the security situation warrants. Australia is also looking to provide enhanced bilateral assistance in support of police and defence force development.
Finally I would like to reiterate Australia’s strong commitment to supporting Timor-Leste and emphasise that we look forward to continuing to work closely with the UN to this end.