5 May 2006

Mr President

Thank you for this opportunity to speak. I thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for his statement today and acknowledge the important work of UNOTIL. I welcome my friend, Jose Ramos-Horta, and his frank acknowledgement fo the recent situtation in Timor-Leste and thank him for his personal efforts to address the challenges facing the country.

As all present for today’s meeting would acknowledge, the UN’s role in Timor-Leste, from stewarding it towards independence, and since in assisting it in the early stages of nation-building, has been a significant success. However, the challenge of nation-building for new states and those emerging from conflict is difficult and ongoing as recent events have illustrated.

Australia has been at the forefront of international efforts to support Timor-Leste’s transition to an independent and secure state. We have contributed to all UN missions in Timor-Leste – INTERFET, UNTAET, UNMISET and we are currently contributing three Military Liaison Officers and four Civilian Police Advisers to UNOTIL. Through these missions, the United Nations has helped establish a foundation on which the people of Timor-Leste can build a nation. We believe there continues to be a role for the UN in assisting the world’s newest nation.

Timor-Leste continues to be a major development partner for Australia. In 2005-2006, Australia provided over US$30 million in bilateral development assistance, including working with our Timorese partners to improve health, provide basic services to rural areas, improve governance and strengthen the justice sector.

Australia has provided policing assistance, including through training and other means of practical support, and is committed to a significant defence co-operation program with the country.

In January 2006, Australia and Timor-Leste successfully concluded a bilateral treaty on maritime arrangements in the Timor Sea. Once ratified, Timor-Leste would reap billions of dollars in extra revenue, which could be employed to improve the lot of all its citizens.

Similarly, Australia has been greatly encouraged by the ability of Timor-Leste to resolve issues which have arisen along its border with Indonesia. Indeed, both Indonesia and Timor-Leste should be commended for their commitment to building a productive and harmonious relationship.

Mr President,

Turning to the future of UN involvement in Timor-Leste, as discussed in the Secretary-General’s end of mandate report for UNOTIL dated 20 April, it is important that the international community remains willing to assist Timor-Leste in facing the many challenges ahead. It is essential to recognise that these challenges are domestic in nature and our assistance should be focused on helping the people of Timor-Leste to develop sustainable institutions and policies that support Timor-Leste’s new democracy, its political stability, the rule of law, the future security of its people and economic growth. It is important, both symbolically and practically, that the UN and the international community stand beside Timor-Leste in this work.

Australia has been a long-time supporter of international efforts in Timor-Leste and the United Nations’ involvement and assistance to the Timorese people. Through this commitment Australia has always sought to provide a foundation upon which the Government and people of Timor-Leste might assume control and management of their own affairs. This should continue to be the guiding principle in determining how we might best continue to assist.

Australia is aware of the diversity of views held by members of the Security Council and the Core Group about the best way to deliver continuing assistance to the Timorese people and how the UN might best manage its engagement with Timor-Leste. It is clearly not the preference of Timor-Leste for the UN to conclude a Security Council-mandated presence at the current time. We should consider carefully those wishes.

If the Security Council decides that a specially-mandated successor mission to UNOTIL is required for a limited time, it should be focused and properly staffed to complement ongoing cooperation. It should be funded from the regular budget. If such a mission is agreed, Australia would, of course, consider making a contribution.

As I have said, Mr President, the goal of the international community in Timor-Leste should be the people of Timor-Leste taking full control of the country’s own affairs.

Australia recognises the international community has made a considerable investment in Timor-Leste’s progress as a nation and we would encourage Timor-Leste’s many international supporters to maintain their bilateral and other forms of multilateral assistance, to ensure Timor-Leste continues along its path to a stable and sustainable future.

Thank you Mr President.