UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL
Statement by H.E. Mr John Dauth LVO Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Australia
United Nations Mission of Support in East Timor
New York 24 August 2004
Mr President
Australia welcomes the Secretary-General’s excellent progress report on the UN Mission of Support in East Timor (UNMISET).
As the Secretary-General’s report shows, UNMISET continues to make significant progress in acquitting its mandate, facilitating Timor Leste’s transition to self-sufficiency. However there still are many challenges ahead, including development of Timor Leste’s police and justice sectors.
Although the decision will not be before the Council until November, Australia's firm view is that UNMISET should continue in its current form through to May 2005. We are not in favour of an early withdrawal or downsizing of the mission's police or military elements.
Australia shares the Secretary-General's assessment that Timor Leste's law enforcement agencies, including the Rapid Intervention Unit, require further training and development to strengthen their technical skills and professional values. The events of 19-20 July at the veterans' demonstration highlighted a need for ongoing capacity building in Timor Leste's national police service and, in particular, the value of having an emergency back-up international police response unit through to 20 May 2005. This unit must remain at its present strength.
It is important that UNMISET continues to provide the time which Timor Leste needs to strengthen its key institutions and to consolidate the gains made to date. But it is also important that this time be efficiently and productively used.
Mr President
I am pleased to tell the Council that the joint Australia-United Kingdom police development program, which was mobilised in July and which commits A$32 million over four-and-a-half years, is making good progress and has been well received by the Government of Timor Leste.
Australia will continue to stand along side its neighbour to help bring opportunities and stability to the people of Timor Leste, not least through our commitment of some 100 military and 17 police personnel to the UN mission, and our significant development assistance, police and defence programs.
Mr President
No country is more aware than mine of the significance of the current maritime boundary negotiations between Australia and Timor Leste. Australia’s Foreign Minister, Mr Downer, met Dr Ramos-Horta on 11 August to discuss the maritime boundary issue. These discussions made significant progress and Australia and East Timor are now much closer to an agreement on a framework for a settlement on permanent maritime boundaries. Both our countries are pursuing a creative approach that preserves the fundamental interests of both Australia and Timor Leste. For our part, Australia believes in the strength of its legal position, and sovereignty is also a key issue. We look forward to working with Timor Leste to resolve outstanding issues as soon as possible. The next round of negotiations is likely to be in September.
Mr President
Australia has been a significant contributor to the international effort in support of our newest nation. As a neighbour and a friend, we can be relied upon to continue that effort.