Statement by
Mr. Jehezkiel S. George Lantu
Representative of the Republic of Indonesia
to the United Nations
before the Administrative and Budgetary Committee
on the Financing of the United Nations Mission of Support in East Timor

New York, 25 May 2005

 

Thank you, Mr. Chairman,

At the outset I would like to express my delegation’s appreciation to Mr.Jeffrey Sach, the Controller for introducing the report of the Secretary-General and my delegation welcomes the report made available to us by Mr. Rajat Saha, Member of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions.

Indonesia is pleased that UNMISET has been able to discharge its mandate. We acknowledge the important contributions that the Mission has made to equipping Timor Leste for self-reliance and self-sufficiency, both politically and economically. But we recognize that Timor Leste is still some distance away from being fully self-reliant and self-sufficient. Development is a never-ending process and in that context we welcome the United Nations Office in Timor-Leste which will assume the responsibility for providing continued United Nations assistance to the Government of Timor Leste in the immediate future.

In the interest of good bilateral relations, Indonesia stands ready to help Timor-Leste in whatever way it can to achieve its national goals. The establishment of the Truth and Friendship Commission constitutes an important aspect of the forward-looking and reconciliatory approach to both of the countries.

Nevertheless we do have some concerns which my delegation will seek to have further clarified in the informal meetings to take place. These concerns are tied to the reports that are now before us.

I thank you, Mr. Chairman.