Timor-Leste
Current Operations
UNMIT
United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UN-led)
Since: 09/06
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ISF
International Stabilisation Force (Other)
Since: 05/06
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Australia
New Zealand
New UN political mission for Timor-Leste approved (28.04.2005)
(Quelle: UN News) With the United Nations peacekeeping operation in Timor-Leste set to wrap up its work in mid-May, the Security Council today mandated a special political mission to help ensure the nascent country continued its journey toward self-sufficiency and self-reliance. The new UN Office in Timor-Leste (UNOTIL), a one-year follow-on mission to the current UN Mission of Support in East Timor (UNMISET), will remain in the country until 20 May 2006.
East Timor and Indonesia sign border pact (09.04.2005)
(Quelle: New York Times) East Timor and Indonesia signed a border demarcation agreement on Friday, shortly after Indonesia's president, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, arrived in Dili, East Timor's capital, for a two-day visit. Mr. Yudhoyono and East Timor's prime minister, Mari Alkatiri, witnessed the signing by their foreign ministers. 'This is a fruit of hard work,' Mr. Alkatiri said. 'Today is a step forward for both countries and it is because of the determination of the people of the two nations.' He added that the agreement covered more than 95 percent of outstanding border issues.
Joint Truth and Friendship Commission set up (10.03.2005)
(Quelle: AsiaNews) Despite the contrary view of the United Nations, the governments of Indonesia and East Timor have agreed to set up a ‘Truth and Friendship Commission’ charged with shedding light on the events that surrounded Indonesia’s pullout from the former Portuguese colony. Thus Jakarta and Dili seem to be putting an end to any real hope that those responsible in the Indonesian military and its East Timorese militias for the 1,500 deaths and 250,000 refugees caused by the pullout will ever be brought to justice.
Proposed East Timor pullout 'neglecting region' (02.03.2005)
(Quelle: Sydney Morning Herald) East Timor wants peacekeepers to remain past a May withdrawal deadline, a position shared by the UN. But Australia and the United States have both opposed recommendations by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan for a scaled-down peacekeeping mission to remain in East Timor after May. Mr Annan says a May pullout could affect security and stability.
Timor-Leste making progress but foreign help still crucial, Annan reports (23.02.2005)
(Quelle: UN News) Although Timor-Leste has made progress in establishing state institutions, international assistance will be crucial for the country's long-term security and stability beyond the expiration in May of the current United Nations mission's mandate, Secretary-General Kofi Annan says in a report recommending that a scaled-down operation be maintained for another year.
Annan appoints expert commission to review prosecution of 1999 human rights violations (18.02.2005)
(Quelle: Reliefweb) The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan: The Secretary-General decided to appoint Justice Prafullachandra Bhagwati of India, Professor Yozo Yokota of Japan, and Ms. Shaista Shameem of Fiji to an independent Commission of Experts to review the prosecution of serious human rights violations committed in East Timor in 1999. … The Commission would assess the progress made by the judicial processes in Dili and Jakarta, and make recommendations to the Secretary-General with regard to possible future actions.
Indonesia, Timor-Leste Reach Accord on 'Truth and Friendship Commission' (21.12.2004)
(Quelle: UN News) Indonesia and Timor-Leste today informed United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan that their Governments have reached agreement on a joint commission to look into the violence surrounding the 1999 popular consultation that set Timor-Leste on a path to independence from its neighbour. Details of the Truth and Friendship Commission's work still remain to be worked out, however, the Foreign Ministers of both nations - Hassan Wirayuda of Indonesia and José Ramos-Horta of Timor-Leste - told reporters after their meeting with Mr. Annan in New York. They welcomed international support for the new panel.
East Timor, Indonesia to Talk over Border Dispute, Expected to Reject UN-Recommended Commission on Human Rights (20.12.2004)
(Quelle: Asia-Pacific Daily Report) Representatives from East Timor and Indonesia are due to hold talks this week in an attempt to resolve a border dispute between the two countries, and mend ties after East Timor separated from Indonesia five years ago. … According to a statement issued by Dili, both sides have agreed on the demarcation of 93 percent of their border and were close to an agreement on the remainder.
East Timor Wants UN to Extend its Mission until 2006 (10.12.2004)
(Quelle: Asia-Pacific Daily Report) East Timor is reportedly seeking to have the United Nations mission in the country extended for another year until May 2006. Speaking at a meeting hosted by the United Nations Mission in Support of East Timor (UNMISET) today, East Timor’s Foreign Minister Jose Ramos Horta … said East Timor would no longer need the presence of combat troops. However, he added that at least 58 civilian advisers, 40 UN Police training advisors, as well as 20-30 military observers would be needed to consolidate the work.
President Gusmao Says Country Vulnerable to Militia Attacks from West Timor (26.11.2004)
(Quelle: Asia-Pacific Daily Report) East Timor President Xanana Gusmao is warning that his country remains vulnerable to armed militia attacks from Indonesia’s West Timor. …Commenting on a number of recent border incursions from Indonesia’s West Timor, Gusmao said although there was no evidence of direct involvement of the Indonesian armed forces, he suspected these could not have happened without their backing.
Security Council extends Timor-Leste mission for final six months (16.11.2004)
(Quelle: UN News) The United Nations Security Council today unanimously adopted a resolution extending the mandate of the UN mission in Timor-Leste (UNMISET) for another six months before its planned withdrawal from that country next year. The decision comes a week after the Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, submitted a report to the Council stressing that Timor-Leste had 'not yet achieved a critical threshold of self-sufficiency as public administration there remains weak and fragile.'
UN preparing to withdraw peace operation from Timor-Leste in 2005, envoy says (15.11.2004)
(Quelle: UN News) The United Nations Mission of Support in East-Timor (UNMISET) is preparing to conclude its work next May by turning over responsibility for key tasks to the East Timorese people, the senior UN envoy to the country told the Security Council today. … He added that while the country's exact needs are not yet known, 'it is clear that some form of continued international assistance will be indispensable in the finance and justice sectors beyond May.'
Timor-Leste not yet fully self-sufficient, Annan says in seeking extension for UN mission (10.11.2004)
(Quelle: UN News) Timor-Leste has not yet achieved a critical threshold of self-sufficiency as public administration there remains weak and fragile, Secretary-General Kofi Annan says in a new report seeking a final six-month extension for the United Nations mission in the tiny nation.
East Timor's Foreign Minister Opposes International Rights Tribunals (14.09.2004)
(Quelle: Asia-Pacific Daily Report) East Timor’s Foreign Minister, Jose Ramos-Horta, said today that East Timor’s leaders will try to garner public support against a movement to establish international tribunals over rights violations committed during Indonesia’s occupation of the country. … He says that a tribunal would only serve to undermine stability and newly-found democracy there because of a potential backlash against Indonesian leaders. East Timor’s president, Xanana Gusmao, has also publicly stated in the past that he too does not wish to pursue an international tribunal to try Indonesians accused of rights violations in East Timor.
East Timor urges UN not to pull out peacekeepers (25.08.2004)
(Quelle: Reuters) East Timor urged the United Nations on Wednesday not to be hasty in withdrawing its peacekeeping forces from the fledgling nation, after the world body said it was considering further cutbacks to the mission. Nelson Santos, the secretary-general of East Timor's foreign ministry, said the security situation along the country's border with former ruler Indonesia had improved but remained fragile.
Timor-Leste will require financial support over long-term - UN official (24.08.2004)
(Quelle: UN News) Timor-Leste has been stable and largely peaceful since the Government took over responsibility for security from the United Nations mission there, but the youngest UN Member State will need international support in the period ahead, a senior UN official told the Security Council today. Introducing Secretary-General Kofi Annan's latest report on the UN Mission of Support in East Timor (UNMISET), Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Hédi Annabi said four instances of fighting between armed groups in the last 10 days had underscored the need for a legal framework to regulate their activities.
Jakarta rejects Timor convictions (06.08.2004)
(Quelle: BBC) Indonesia's appeal court has overturned the convictions of four security officials found guilty of crimes against humanity in East Timor in 1999. The ruling means no Indonesian security official faces jail for the violence, which left more than 1,000 people dead. The court also cut in half a 10-year sentence for notorious militia leader Eurico Guterres.
East Timor Police Use Tear Gas to Disperse Ex-Fighters (20.07.2004)
(Quelle: Washington Post) About 20 of the 100 or so demonstrators were arrested. The crowd, many of whom had fought Indonesian forces before the territory voted for independence in 1999, started protesting on Monday evening. … Demonstrators carried banners demanding reform of the tiny country's police force and calling for greater democracy.
Indonesia and Timor sign interim border pact five years after their split (30.06.2004)
(Quelle: Reliefweb) Indonesia and East Timor signed an interim agreement delineating their land border on Wednesday, almost five years after the territory's bloody breakaway from Jakarta. Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda, who signed the document with his counterpart Jose Ramos Horta, said agreement on 90 percent of the border had been reached and he hoped a final agreement could be reached before the end of September.
U.N. Peacekeepers begin force reduction (28.05.2004)
(Quelle: UN News) After a five-year mission that ended Indonesian occupation of East Timor and oversaw the birth of the world's youngest nation, U.N. peacekeeping troops began a drawdown of forces today, ... . The mission size will go from about 3,000 to 1,800 soldiers, and those are expected to withdraw by mid-June, said Captain John Mcpherson, spokesman for the peacekeeping force. About 700 military and police advisers will remain for the next year, however, according to a revised mandate approved by the U.N. Security Council earlier this month.
Wiranto warrant in doubt (25.05.2004)
(Quelle: BBC) East Timor's chief prosecutor has distanced himself from efforts to pursue Indonesian presidential candidate General Wiranto. A UN-backed tribunal has issued a warrant against the general, accusing him of war crimes when East Timor voted to split from Indonesia in 1999. But Longuinhos Monteiro said it would not be in East Timor's interest to forward the warrant to Interpol.
Sukehiro Hasegawa of Japan named chief of UN mission (25.05.2004)
(Quelle: UN News) Sukehiro Hasegawa, the current deputy of the United Nations mission in Timor-Leste, has been named the new chief of the UN operation following an exchange of letters between Secretary-General Kofi Annan and the Security Council. … Prior to joining UNMISET, Mr. Hasegawa was UNDP's special adviser on crime prevention and recovery in Geneva.
UN hands over all policing and defence authority (19.05.2004)
(Quelle: UN News) In another landmark of progress for Timor-Leste, the United Nations mission in the southeast Asian country today handed over all official responsibility for policing and external security to the government of the world body’s youngest member.
UN mission reduced, with eye towards phase-out by May 2005 (14.05.2004)
(Quelle: UN News) The Security Council decided unanimously today to extend the mandate of the United Nations Mission of Support in East Timor (UNMISET) for another six months, reduce its size, put more emphasis on training and advisory services and phase it out by May of next year. … For this new role, UNMISET would include up to 58 civilian advisers, 157 civilian police advisers, 42 military liaison officers, 310 formed troops and a 125-person International Response Unit, … .
Australia likely to commit 100 troops to extended UN mission (12.05.2004)
(Quelle: Reliefweb) Australia expects to contribute around 100 troops if the United Nations extends its peace mission in East Timor beyond the current May deadline, Defence Minister Robert Hill said Wednesday. Hill said Australia would offer specialists in engineering, transport and logistics personnel and liaison officers. … Australia has 440 troops in East Timor, the majority stationed along the border with Indonesian West Timor.
Arrest warrant for General (11.05.2004)
(Quelle: New York Times) A United Nations-backed tribunal in East Timor issued an arrest warrant for General Wiranto, the former chief of the Indonesian military and a candidate for the nation's first direct presidential election in July. He was charged by the tribunal in February 2003 with crimes against humanity in connection with violence after the former province's vote for independence in 1999. Indonesia has refused to accept the jurisdiction of the East Timor court.
Progress in Timor-Leste 'encouraging', Security Council told (10.05.2004)
(Quelle: UN News) Cautioning that the peacekeeping developments in recently-independent Timor-Leste are better characterized as encouraging than as successful, the top United Nations envoy to the country today took his leave of a mission that is being gradually downsized.
New Zealand favors extended UN presence (07.05.2004)
(Quelle: Reliefweb) The New Zealand government has confirmed its support for an extended United Nations mandate in East Timor, the Auckland-based New Zealand Herald reported Friday. A small contingent of New Zealand defense, police and prison personnel are expected to remain in the country for another year, said the newspaper.
Reduced UN force recommended for another year (03.05.2004)
(Quelle: UN News) United Nations peacekeepers have played a crucial role in the extraordinary political progress made by newly independent, post-conflict Timor-Leste, and a reduced force of nearly 700 troops should remain for another year to allow the country to become self-sufficient, Secretary-General Kofi Annan says in a new report to the Security Council. … He recommends that UNMISET provide for the island nation 58 civilian experts to public administration and the judiciary, especially for serious crimes. The Mission should also retain 310 formed military and 157 civilian police advisers and deploy an international response unit of 125 gendarmes, as well as 42 military liaison officers.
Timor governor's sentence upheld (12.04.2004)
(Quelle: BBC) The Supreme Court in Indonesia has upheld a three-year jail sentence against an ex-East Timor governor for failing to stop the violence in 1999. The verdict means he will be the first Indonesian official to be punished for the bloodshed, which swept East Timor during its vote for independence.