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On Agenda item 112:
At the outset let me thank the High Commissioner for his reports that open our discussion on this important issue. On behalf of my delegation, I would like to take this opportunity to commend Mr. Ruud Lubbers, the UN High Commissioner on Refugees (UNHCR), for his invaluable leadership in steering this body to meet the current challenges. We would also like to express our appreciation to the staff of the UNHCR, who, in partnership with the Government of Indonesia, have worked very hard to facilitate the repatriation of refugees from East Nusa Tenggara (West Timor) province back to Timor Leste. This has led to the repatriation of over 252,000 refugees, and further efforts are underway to resettle those who have chosen to remain in Indonesia. In fact, the refugee problem has largely been resolved and humanitarian relief efforts are winding down, while resettlement and reintegration efforts are being stepped up. Prompt action has resulted in the refugee issue being largely settled in only about three years. This allowed Indonesia, and the new nation of Timor Leste, to avoid the potentially destabilizing political and social problems that have frequently accompanied longstanding refugee situations in other parts of the world. Mr. Chairman, International support for the ongoing efforts in East Nusa Tenggara province is still required to complete the final stages of operations there. In this context, the transition from relief to development is frequently a rocky one. Usually, when a crisis is ended, so does assistance to the affected region. The Government of Indonesia hopes that the experience of East Timorese refugees will not be cited as precedence. While the crisis stage may be over, the assistance of UNHCR and the international community is still needed for the integration of refugees into society, and for the transition to development. The Government of Indonesia fully
understands the difficulties UNHCR has encountered in providing assistance
to the Government of Indonesia in East Nusa Tenggara due to the unilateral
imposition of the P-5 security status by the UNSECOORD in 2000. As
a result, UN bodies and agencies that have adequate resources ready
to be disbursed to East Nusa Tenggara are constrained by this status.
This situation has prevented them from going to East Nusa Tenggara.
Accordingly, my delegation urges the Secretary General to assess and rectify this unfortunate situation, to enable UN bodies and agencies to distribute the assistance at their disposal to the needy people in East Nusa Tenggara province. Mr. Chairman, The Government of Indonesia reaffirms its support to the UNHCR in exercising its mandate to provide protection and assistance, as well as finding durable solution. We also support the High Commissioner for his many important initiatives, including his 4Rs approach for the enhancement of coordination with other UN agencies, as well as cooperative arrangement with other relevant international organizations. It should be emphasized, however, that UNHCR remains a purely humanitarian and non-political agency, and that “Humanitarian assistance must be provided in accordance with the principles of humanity, neutrality and impartiality.” Moreover, humanitarian assistance should be delivered with the consent of the affected country, and with respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and the national unity of States. The affected state should play the primary role in coordinating humanitarian relief efforts, while the role of UNHCR is to provide support when it is requested by the affected state. These important principles are contained in General Assembly resolution 46/182 of 19 December 1991. In this connection, permit me to point out that the success story of the resolution of the refugee problem in East Nusa Tenggara (West Timor) province is an example of effective cooperation between a host country and international agencies, especially UNHCR. The Government of Indonesia acknowledges that this could not have been achieved without assistance from the outside, both technical and financial. That is why the Government of Indonesia views with great concern the dire financial straits of UNHCR, and would like to see an effective long run solution to it. Finally, although more must be done to assure adequate resources for humanitarian assistance, including for UNHCR, we must guard against diverting existing resources from other goals, such as Sustainable Development, for this purpose. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
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