SECURITY COUNCIL ESTABLISHES SUPPORT MISSION IN EAST TIMOR, UNANIMOUSLY ADOPTING RESOLUTION 1410 (2002)

Security Council

4534^th Meeting (AM)

SECURITY COUNCIL ESTABLISHES SUPPORT MISSION IN EAST TIMOR,

UNANIMOUSLY ADOPTING RESOLUTION 1410 (2002)

The Security Council this morning established the United Nations Mission of Support in East Timor (UNMISET) for an initial period of 12 months, starting on  20 May 2002.

As it unanimously adopted resolution 1410 (2002), the Council decided that UNMISET would provide assistance to core administrative structures critical to the viability and political stability of East Timor.  The Mission would also provide interim law enforcement and public security, assist in developing the East Timor Police Service (ETPS) and contribute to the maintenance of the new country's external and internal security.

The Council decided that the Mission, to be headed by a Special Representative of the Secretary-General, would initially comprise 1,250 civilian police and an initial military troop strength of 5,000, including 120 military observers.  The civilian component would include focal points for gender and HIV/AIDS, a Civilian Support Group of up to 100 personnel filling core functions, a Serious Crimes Unit and a Human Rights Unit.

Also by the text, the Council decided that downsizing of UNMISET should proceed as quickly as possible, after careful assessment of the situation on the ground, and that the Mission would, over a period of two years, fully devolve all operational responsibilities to the East Timorese authorities as soon as feasible, without jeopardizing stability.

The Council underlined that further United Nations assistance to East Timor should be coordinated with bilateral and multilateral donors, regional mechanisms, non-governmental, as well as private sector, organizations and other actors in the international community.

This morning's meeting began at 10:50 a.m. and adjourned at 10:52 a.m.

Following is the full text of Council resolution 1410 (2002):

“The Security Council,

“Reaffirming its previous resolutions on the situation in East Timor, in particular resolutions 1272 (1999) of 25 October 1999, 1338 (2001) of 31 January 2001 and 1392 (2002) of 31 January 2002, and the relevant statements of its President, in particular that of 31 October 2001 (S/PRST/2001/32),

“Commending the courage and vision of the people of East Timor in bringing East Timor to the point of independence by peaceful and democratic means,

“Paying tribute to the dedication and professionalism of the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) and to the leadership of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General in assisting the people of East Timor in the transition towards independence,

“Reiterating its welcome for the successful and peaceful election for the Constituent Assembly held on 30 August 2001 and the election for the President held on 14 April 2002,

“Welcoming the commitment by the elected leaders of East Timor to lead their country in solidarity, welcoming also the steps they have taken so far to establish good relations with neighbouring States, and recognizing the primary responsibility of the people of East Timor for nation building,

“Noting that the emerging institutions in East Timor remain fragile and that in the period immediately after independence assistance will be required to ensure sustained momentum in the development and strengthening of East Timor’s infrastructure, public administration, law enforcement and defence capacities,

“Noting with concern the assessment of the Secretary-General of the difficulties which have had a negative impact on the effectiveness of the judicial system in East Timor, and calling on all relevant parties to work towards progress in this area,

“Having considered the report of the Secretary-General of 17 April 2002 (S/2002/432),

Welcoming his recommendation that a successor mission to UNTAET be established for a period of two years,

“Taking note also of the joint letter from the President-elect of East Timor and the Chief Minister of East Timor to the President of the Security Council of 20 April 2002,

“Recalling the relevant principles contained in the Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel adopted on 9 December 1994,

“Welcoming the Secretary-General’s intention to appoint the Resident Coordinator of the United Nations Development Programme as his Deputy Special Representative and underlining the importance of a smooth transition of the United Nations role towards traditional development assistance,

“Welcoming and encouraging efforts by the United Nations to sensitize international personnel in the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS and other communicable diseases in all its peacekeeping operations,

“Recognizing the importance of a gender perspective in peacekeeping operations,

“Noting the existence of challenges to the short and long-term security and stability of an independent East Timor and determining that ensuring the security of the boundaries of East Timor and preserving its internal and external stability is necessary for the maintenance of peace and security in the region,

“1.   Decides to establish, as of 20 May 2002 and for an initial period of 12 months, a United Nations Mission of Support in East Timor (UNMISET);

“2.   Decides also that the mandate of UNMISET shall consist of the following elements:

(a)   To provide assistance to core administrative structures critical to the viability and political stability of East Timor;

(b)   To provide interim law enforcement and public security and to assist in the development of a new law enforcement agency in East Timor, the East Timor Police Service (ETPS);

(c)   To contribute to the maintenance of the external and internal security of East Timor;

“3.   Decides that UNMISET will be headed by a Special Representative of the Secretary-General and will consist of:

(a)   A civilian component comprising an office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General with focal points for gender and HIV/AIDS, a Civilian Support Group of up to 100 personnel filling core functions, a Serious Crimes Unit and a Human Rights Unit;

(b)   A civilian police component initially comprised of 1,250 officers;

(c)   A military component with an initial strength of up to 5,000 troops, including 120 military observers;

“4.   Requests UNMISET to give full effect to the following three Programmes of the Mandate Implementation Plan as set out in section III A 3 of the report of the Secretary-General:

(a)   Stability, Democracy and Justice;

(b)   Public Security and Law Enforcement;

(c)   External Security and Border Control;

“5.   Decides that internationally accepted human rights principles should form an integral part of training and capacity building carried out by UNMISET under operative paragraph 2 of this resolution;

“6.   Authorizes UNMISET, under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, to take the necessary actions, for the duration of its mandate, to fulfil its mandate, and decides to review this issue and all other aspects of UNMISET’S mandate after 12 months;

“7.   Decides that progress towards achievement of the milestones of the Mandate Implementation Plan should be kept under review and that downsizing of UNMISET should proceed as quickly as possible, after careful assessment of the situation on the ground;

“8.   Decides further that UNMISET will, over a period of two years, fully devolve all operational responsibilities to the East Timorese authorities as soon as is feasible, without jeopardizing stability;

“9.   Urges Member States and international agencies and organizations to provide support as requested by the Secretary-General, in particular in support of the full establishment of the ETPS and the East Timor Defence Force;

“10.  Underlines that further United Nations assistance to East Timor should be coordinated with the efforts of bilateral and multilateral donors, regional mechanisms, non-governmental organizations, private sector organizations and other actors from within the international community;

“11.  Calls for the rapid conclusion of and full observance of the agreements and arrangements necessary to give effect to the mandate of UNMISET, including a Status-of-Forces Agreement, and command and control arrangements which will operate in accordance with standard procedures of the United Nations;

“12.  Welcomes the progress made in resolving pending bilateral issues between Indonesia and East Timor, and stresses the critical importance of cooperation between these two Governments, as well as cooperation with UNMISET, in all aspects, including in implementation of the relevant elements of this and other resolutions, in particular by working together to secure agreement on the issue of border demarcation, by ensuring that those responsible for serious crimes committed in 1999 are brought to justice, by helping ensure repatriation or resettlement of refugees currently in Indonesia and by continuing to work together to curb criminal activities, in all their forms, including by militia elements, in the border area;

“13.  Requests the Secretary-General to keep the Council closely and regularly informed of progress towards the implementation of this resolution including, in particular, with regard to progress towards achievement of the milestones in the Mandate Implementation Plan, and to submit a report within six months of the date of adoption of this resolution and every six months thereafter;

“14.  Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.”

Background

When the Council met this morning, it had before it a report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) (documents S/2002/432 and Add.1), which provides an overview of developments since his last report and contains detailed proposals regarding the mandate and structure of a new mission, the United Nations Mission of Support for East Timor (UNMISET).  When the mandate of UNTAET ends, that Mission will ensure that the gains made over the last two-and-a-half years are consolidated.

The UNMISET would be mandated to:  provide assistance that is crucial for the stability of East Timor and the viability of its emergent public

administration; assist in the development of a law enforcement agency in East Timor operating in accordance with international human rights standards; and contribute to the maintenance of external and internal security.

The Mission, headed by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, would include a civilian component, a police component and a military component.  The Office of the Special Representative would include the units usually required in multidimensional peacekeeping operations, as well as focal points for gender affairs and HIV/AIDS.

The report notes that planning for the successor mission to UNTAET was undertaken by a number of working groups, both in the field and through the integrated mission task force in New York over the past 12 months.  It has also been the subject of extensive consultations with all the stakeholders.  The plan provides for a continued and appropriately reduced United Nations peacekeeping mission in the post-independence period to ensure the security and stability of the nascent State.  It provides a milestone-based approach towards the Mission's gradual withdrawal over a two-year period.

An addendum to the report provides, among other things, a readout of the results of East Timor's first presidential elections.  In all, 364,780 valid votes were cast, of which Xanana Gusmao received 82.69 per cent and Fansciso Xavier do Amaral 17.31 per cent.  Only 13,768 ballots were invalid.

The addendum also provides the estimated cost of establishing UNMISET -- the total cost for the 12-month period from 1 July to 30 June 2003 would amount to some $316.1 million gross.  A breakdown of the estimated requirements by main categories of expenditure is contained in an annex to the addendum.

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