SECRETARY-GENERAL SAYS AGREEMENT REACHED ON EAST TIMOR, WILL BE SIGNED IN NEW YORK ON 5 MAY
Press Release
SG/SM/6968
SECRETARY-GENERAL SAYS AGREEMENT REACHED ON EAST TIMOR, WILL BE SIGNED IN NEW YORK ON 5 MAY
19990423 Following are Secretary-General Kofi Annan's remarks at a Headquarters press conference today announcing that an agreement had been reached on East Timor:I am pleased to inform you that, after a very productive and successful round of meetings in which a lot of ground was covered, we have an agreement between the Republic of Indonesia and the Republic of Portugal on the question of East Timor. The agreement has been finalized and will be signed, together with its annex, in New York on 5 May.
There are two additional documents, which were presented to the delegations for the first time this week. These cover the security arrangements for the peaceful implementation of the popular consultation in East Timor, and the modalities for this consultation. Foreign Minister Alatas has indicated that, while his side has no substantive difficulty with either document, he would have to obtain the approval of his authorities before these can be signed.
I look forward to concluding this historic process on the fifth of May, when all these agreements will be signed. I am grateful for the customary spirit of cooperation and statesmanship displayed by the two ministers, which has enabled us to make such progress.
I welcome the reaffirmation by the Indonesian Government that it will effectively carry out its responsibility for law and order and the protection of civilians. I should also underline the responsibility of all the parties who signed an agreement this week to end the violence in East Timor to fulfil their obligations without delay. Peace and stability are vital in East Timor. I will be happy to take a question or two and then leave you with the ministers.
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