UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL
Statement by H.E. Mr John Dauth, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Australia to the United Nations to the Security Council Open Session on East Timor
New York 28 April, 2003
Mr President
Australia welcomes the Secretary-General’s latest report on the UN Mission of support in East Timor, UNMISET.
The international community continues to hold high expectations of UNMISET. As the Secretary-General’s report shows, significant progress has been made towards acquitting the UN’s mandate in East Timor. It is equally clear that a good deal of important work lies ahead. How the mission achieves its remaining goals will go a long way to defining the success of the UN in the historic task of supporting East Timor’s emergence as a nation.
Mr President
The Secretary-General’s report is timely. We have reached a critical stage in the life of the UN mission and in the UN’s role in East Timor. Now more than ever, the UN needs to focus on what the mission will leave behind in terms of solid and sustainable indigenous capacity in civil administration, law and justice and defence and security. We therefore strongly support the extension of the mandate for a further twelve months. This additional time will facilitate the Mission achieving its stated objectives and intent.
In policing, a good deal of essential and basic foundational work remains to be done. Australia is pleased that the Mission is re-doubling its efforts to accelerate the development of East Timor’s institutions of law enforcement. It is crucial that commitments made on paper are translated into solid and lasting progress on the ground. The Security Council’s 4 April amendments to the UNMISET draw down plan should help provide a secure backdrop for a renewed UN-coordinated effort in this crucial area and Australia stands ready to assist. A concerted effort in police force development from now until the end of the mission will be essential to the UN’s ultimate success in East Timor.
Thank you Mr President