SECRETARY-GENERAL CALLS FOR CALM, UNITY IN TIMOR-LESTE

SECRETARY-GENERAL CALLS FOR CALM, UNITY IN TIMOR-LESTE

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

The Secretary-General calls on the Timorese people to remain calm and to unite during this time of challenge and change.  In particular, he urges all political leaders to ensure that any demonstrations by their supporters are peaceful, and are conducted in full compliance with the laws of Timor-Leste and in cooperation with the international forces.

The United Nations will continue to stand with the Timorese people during this difficult period.  In cooperation with the Secretary-General’s Special Representative, Sukehiro Hasegawa, Secretary-General’s Special Envoy Ian Martin and his team are currently in Dili, consulting broadly with all stakeholders.  The team will return to New York with recommendations on the future role of the United Nations in Timor-Leste.

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For information media • not an official record