Security Council

4463^rd Meeting (PM)

SECURITY COUNCIL EXTENDS MANDATE OF UNITED NATIONS ADMINISTRATION

IN EAST TIMOR TO 20 MAY 2002

Resolution 1392 (2002) Adopted Unanimously

Welcoming the strenuous efforts of the Second Transitional Government and people of East Timor to reach independence by 20 May 2002, the Security Council today extended the mandate of the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) until that date.

Unanimously adopting resolution 1392 (2002), the Council also commended UNTAET and the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for their assistance to the East Timorese in laying the foundations for independence.

A report by the Secretary-General on 17 January noted that close ties between East Timor and the international community would remain vital for continued stability and development.  The Secretary-General stated in the report that he would make proposals prior to the Territory’s independence on the make-up of a follow-up mission to UNTAET.

With the Territory becoming more stable, UNTAET has been reducing its size to a post-independence strength of 5,000 troops.  The mission has also cut the number of civilians assisting the Territory’s public administration to about

200 international staff and 60 United Nations Volunteers -– 75 per cent less than the original number.

(For additional background on East Timor, see Press Release SC/7285 of

30 January 2002.)

The meeting began at 3:19 p.m. and adjourned at 3:20 p.m.

Draft Resolution

“The Security Council,

“Reaffirming its previous resolutions on the situation in East Timor, in particular resolutions 1272 (1999) of 25 October 1999 and 1338 (2001) of

31 January 2001, and the relevant statements of its President, in particular that of 31 October 2001 (S/PRST/2001/32),

“Commending the work of the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) and the leadership of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General in assisting the people of East Timor in laying the foundations for the transition to independence,

“Recalling the Security Council’s endorsement in its statement of the President (S/PRST/2001/32) of the proposal of the Constituent Assembly of East Timor of 19 October 2001 that independence be declared on 20 May 2002, and welcoming the strenuous efforts of the Second Transitional Government and the people of East Timor to achieve independence by that date,

“Having considered the report of the Secretary-General of 17 January 2002 (S/2002/80 and Corr.1) and taking note of his recommendation that the mandate of UNTAET be extended until the date of independence,

“Looking forward to receiving further specific proposals from the Secretary-General for the mandate and structure for a successor United Nations mission after independence at least one month before the date of independence,

“1.   Welcomes the report of the Secretary-General of 17 January 2002;

“2.   Decides to extend the current mandate of UNTAET until 20 May 2002;

“3.   Decides to remain seized of the matter.”

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