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Statement by New York, 30 July 2001 Mr. President, This meeting of the Security Council is important as it considers the future United Nations presence in East Timor after independence of the territory. We thank the Secretary-General for his report and also express our gratitude to Mr. Sergio Vieira de Mello, Special Representative of the Secretary-General on East Timor for his presentation this morning. My delegation is also pleased to have in our midst, Mr. Ramos Horta. Allow me to avail of this opportunity to contribute to this debate and share my delegation’s views on the prevailing situation. In the final analysis, the whole issue revolves around the questions of maintaining and promoting security of the territory. To that end, the UNTAET and ETTA have been working hard to build a civil society through a nation- building programme. In this connection, the new Government of Indonesia remains fully committed to fulfilling its obligations and responsibilities regarding relevant international and bilateral agreements on East Timor. In the same vein, my Government will exert its efforts towards resolving the residual issues while at the same time forge a mutually fruitful bilateral relationship with the leaders of East Timor for the benefit of the Indonesian and East Timorese people. As I have the floor, Mr. President, permit me on behalf my Government to express our sincere gratitude to the Secretary-General and all member countries, including those represented in this august body for their good wishes. I also feel honored to express our heartfelt thanks for the full support extended to the new Government of Indonesia in addressing the challenges ahead. One of its first priorities is to maintain its national sovereignty, territorial integrity and stability. Its foreign policy continues to be guided by the purposes and principles of the Organization. That being said, we find it unacceptable that the report justifies the need to maintain a UN "robust presence in the border areas" and in East Timor by claiming inaction of the Indonesian Government to disband "militia groups". Nothing can be farther from the truth. Such claims do not reflect that Indonesia has indeed disbanded and disarmed what was at that time called "militia". Undeniably, in any conflict situation, the process of disarming such groups is a complex and arduous one and its success is reflected in the lack of serious armed incidents causing heavy casualties. We also feel perplexed over the assertion made regarding the training and operation of "militias". Yet, nothing specific in the form of evidence has been provided. Similarly, statements such as "easy access" of modern weaponry, the strategy of militias of "lying low’ and "hard line elements operating from "West Timor" are made without any substantiation of concrete and detailed information. In this regard, Indonesia has requested UNTAET time and again to provide concrete facts concerning "militia activity", so that resolute action can be taken. But to no avail and suspicious attitudes, negative perceptions and innuendos towards Indonesia continues. If the Organization were to pursue a policy of "containment" rather than active and peaceful engagement, it would create a worsening situation as demonstrated by the incident on 28 July 2001, with the killing of an Indonesian soldier by UN peacekeepers. In this regard, Indonesia has lodged a formal and strong protest against UNTAET for shooting into its territory which resulted in a fatal casualty. My government was astonished when recently, UNTAET radio broadcasted news accusing a humanitarian NGO, under the name of "Yayasan Hati" or the Heart Foundation of abducting of and providing military training to East Timorese children in Indonesia so that they could in twenty-years time launch military action against East Timor to retake the territory. The Indonesian Government categorically rebuts this accusation following its investigation of the issue that this was not the case. For one, guided by those noble principles as stipulated in the UN Charter, my delegation would like to assure you and all the distinguished members of the Council that the Government of Indonesia has never harbored any intentions to engage in activities endangering neighboring countries. Nor do we bear any ill-will towards the East Timorese people. On the contrary, we aim to develop and strengthen ties of amity, friendship and cooperation as well as good relations and neighborliness with East Timor. In fact, Indonesia, as a member State of the United Nations granted them the full right to express their wishes of whether to part with Indonesia or to remain within its fold. Indonesia is committed, Mr. President, to upholding justice, including against the perpetrators of the Atambua killings. Hence, the reference to the failure of the Attorney-General to appeal against the sentences against the accused is factually incorrect. My delegation had apprized the Security Council during its last meeting held on 18 May 2001 that an appeal by the Prosecutor had been lodged on 10 May 2001 to the Jakarta High Court which was also conveyed in a letter to the President of the Security Council during the same month. The authorities are also following up on the case of the killing of Private Manning, the peacekeeper from New Zealand. It is expected that the alleged accused will be brought to trial in Jakarta. For this purpose, on 9-13 July 2001, a team of Indonesian police investigators and prosecutors visited New Zealand and the crime site in East Timor to interview witnesses and gather evidence against the accused. The investigation may also result in charges being brought against six additional accused who could have participated in this crime. Undoubtedly, this is a difficult prosecution as the matter covers three jurisdictions, namely, Indonesia, East Timor and New Zealand and hence the investigation is taking longer than expected. Mr. President, Indonesia has strongly believed that the establishment of a robust civil society is a prerequisite to the maintenance and promotion of peace, security and harmony in the territory. So also, is the promotion of reconciliation. In this connection, we highly commend the active role of United Nations specialized agencies in supporting capacity-building for civil society. Moreover, it is imperative to strengthen programmes in the field of poverty alleviation, health and education and to promote the establishment of micro finance banks and the use of traditional mechanisms to resolve disputes and conflicts. True reconciliation is also a conditio sine qua non to the eventual establishment of a thriving civil society in East Timor. As clearly demonstrated, in many instances of past and recent conflicts between parties, it is not inconceivable for them to overcome their hostilities, animosities, bitterness and vengeance, and to agree to put the past to rest for the sake of peace and harmony for future generations. Mr. President, Indonesia is open to any suggestions leading towards the final and viable shape of United Nations presence after independence of East Timor so long as it does not compromise the legitimate needs and aspirations of the East Timorese people. But, Indonesia would not accept any justification used in considering the UN presence based on ulterior motives. Thank you, Mr. President.
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