SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES CONTRIBUTIONS OF JAPAN, PORTUGAL TO TRUST FUND FOR EAST TIMOR FORCE

Press Release
SG/SM/7158

SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES CONTRIBUTIONS OF JAPAN, PORTUGAL TO TRUST FUND FOR EAST TIMOR FORCE

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General warmly welcomes Japan’s $100 million contribution to the United Nations Trust Fund for the multinational force in East Timor, announced today in Tokyo. As Japan intends, it will facilitate the participation in the multinational force of troops from developing countries and generally support the force.

The Secretary-General is also grateful to Portugal, so far the only other contributor to the Fund, which gave $5 million. He hopes others will follow the example of these two generous nations in supporting the essential work of the United Nations-sanctioned peacekeepers who are restoring peace and security to the devastated territory of East Timor.

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