VZCZCXRO4046
OO RUEHTRO
DE RUCNDT #0965/01 3022315
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 292315Z OCT 09
FM USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7455
INFO RUEHGG/UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHBK/AMEMBASSY BANGKOK PRIORITY 0674
RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA PRIORITY 1196
RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA PRIORITY 2485
RUEHDT/AMEMBASSY DILI PRIORITY 1370
RUEHLI/AMEMBASSY LISBON PRIORITY 0642
RUEHSM/AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM PRIORITY 0628
RUEHWL/AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON PRIORITY 0010

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 USUN NEW YORK 000965 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: UNSC XB XV XU
SUBJECT: UNSC DEBATE ON UNMIT 
 
USUN NEW Y 00000965  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
¶1. (SBU) Summary:  UN Special Representative of the 
Secretary-General Atul Khare briefed the Security Council on 
the Secretary-General's interim report on the UN Integrated 
Mission in Timor-Leste on UNMIT on October 23.  Khare 
discussed the successful community elections, strengthening 
the rule of law and government institutions, the resumption 
of primary policing responsibility by the Timorese National 
Police (PNTL), and the critical importance of multilateral 
assistance.  Timor-Leste Deputy Prime Minister Jos Luis 
Guterres called the recent no-confidence motion a successful 
test of Timor-Leste's democracy and accountability.  He 
discussed the completion of reintegration for the internally 
displaced persons (IDPs), recently implemented government 
welfare programs, new developments in legislation regarding 
national security, and the GOTL's plans for investing in 
development.  All 15 Security Council members spoke at the 
debate, echoing similar themes and congratulating Timor-Leste 
on its tenth anniversary of the popular consultation.  Eight 
non-Council delegations also spoke, including Australia, 
Portugal and New Zealand.  End summary. 
 
¶2. (SBU) UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General 
Atul Khare attributed the improvement in the recent, 
successful elections to a joint effort between United Nations 
Police (UNPOL) and the PNTL.  Khare also hailed the 
no-confidence motion and the debate in Parliament on the 
government's role in the Bere case, which was broadcast on 
television and radio throughout the country, as a "positive 
step," showing that "critical issues of national interest are 
(being) channeled through the National Parliament with 
meaningful participation from the opposition."  Khare said 
that while democracy is growing, some institutions require 
continued strengthening, particularly the justice sector.  He 
reported that UNMIT will continue its investigations into 
serious crimes committed in 1999, and stressed the importance 
of further capacity-building for the Timorese.  He said that 
Timor-Leste continues to struggle with extreme poverty, 
unemployment, infrastructure creation and rural development, 
which are areas that need to be addressed. 
 
¶3. (SBU) SRSG Khare emphasized the progress in transfering 
policing responsibility to the PNTL, noting that another 
district is scheduled for transfer in November.  He stressed 
the need for an exit strategy and called on the international 
community to take the lead in ensuring a "stable and steady 
approach" while responsibility is increasingly transferred to 
all of Timor-Leste's institutions.  Khare recognized the 
importance of long-term bilateral and multilateral 
assistance, and highlighted the efforts of Australia, Spain, 
Portugal, the European Commission, Cuba, the United States 
(primarily in increased mil to mil cooperation), and the 
ASEAN Member States in these efforts.  Finally, he spoke of 
the importance of environmental protection for Timor-Leste as 
a "small, young island state," and called upon all those who 
would provide international assistance to ensure a minimal 
environmental impact.  Khare noted that in November, the UN 
World Tourism Organization's will conduct a technical 
assistance mission, and raised the Tour de Timor, an 
international cross-country bicycle race; as well as the 
inaugural International Sports Fishing Competition as two of 
Timor-Leste's initiatives to increase tourism. 
 
¶4. (SBU) Deputy Prime Minister of Timor-Leste Jos Luis 
Guterres also recognized the recent no-confidence motion and 
debate in Parliament over the Bere case as an example of 
Timor-Leste's progress in accountability and democracy.  He 
noted the country's achievement in closing IDP camps and 
reintegrating IDPs.  He also said that the Government had 
developed a social housing program as well as a Social 
Security program to benefit elderly persons and disabled 
citizens.  Guterres spoke of developments in the security 
sector, noting that various defense laws were now before 
Parliament and that the PNTL were progressively gaining 
responsibility.  He also briefed on efforts to improve 
institutional integrity, pointing out the establishment of 
the National Anti-Corruption Commission.  Finally, he spoke 
of the need to invest in Timor-Leste, noting that petroleum 
and gas revenues had been the main source of income for the 
state, and lauded efforts to increase eco-tourism. 
 
¶5. (SBU) Security Council delegations welcomed successful 
elections and the closure of IDP camps, and noted the general 
spirit of continued progress on the island.  Most delegations 
also called for the strengthening of the judicial system. 
 
USUN NEW Y 00000965  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
The U.S., UK, Costa Rica, China, Turkey, Uganda, Russia, 
Croatia and Libya called for greater clarity on the role of 
the Timorese National Defense Forces (F-FDTL), especially 
during peacetime.  Costa Rica and Austria suggested that the 
F-FDTL take on border patrol and disaster recovery 
responsibilities, or act as watchdogs for human trafficking 
activities.  The U.S., UK, Burkina Faso, Mexico, Austria, and 
France also cautioned against a culture of impunity, urging 
that allegations of war crimes, human rights violations, and 
crimes against humanity from the 1999 and 2006 conflicts be 
pursued more vigorously.  On a related note, Turkey, Austria, 
Croatia, Uganda and Libya noted that some underlying factors 
of the 2006 crisis persist, namely poverty, unemployment, and 
land ownership issues, and urged Timor-Leste to address these 
issues immediately to prevent further instability -- 
especially in the recently reintegrated communities. 
 
¶6. (SBU)  Eight non-Council members also spoke at the 
meeting, including Thailand on behalf of the Association of 
South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Sweden on behalf of the 
European Union (EU).  Many delegations applauded Timor-Leste 
on the gradual transfer of power in its policing sector, its 
progress on reintegrating IDPs, and the establishment of the 
anti-corruption commission.  Thailand, Sweden, Portugal, New 
Zealand, Australia, and the Philippines supported 
recommendations to maintain UNMIT's current presence; 
Thailand and New Zealand suggested possible adjustments to 
the mission's mandate prior to the mandate's renewal.  New 
Zealand and Australia both acknowledged that their joint 
International Stability Force (ISF) would need to change 
focus from a security support role to one of defense, in 
cooperation with the F-FDTL.  A number of countries urged the 
GOTL to focus on development.  Sweden pushed for more 
investments in the non-oil sector, and encouraged the 
creation of jobs and infrastructure.  Brazil echoed the call 
for a boost in the non-oil sectors, encouraged development in 
the social services, and pressed for more rural development, 
noting that this would be essential for Timor-Leste in 
fulfilling the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).  South 
Africa called for the international partners of Timor-Leste 
to improve education and health, and to invest in rural 
development, encouraging the GOTL to focus on national unity, 
reconciliation, promotion of human rights, justice, and 
peace. 
 
¶7. (SBU) SRSG Khare expressed appreciation to delegations for 
pledging their support for the Secretary-General's 
recommendations, combating impunity and strengthening the 
rule of law.  He said that the GOTL was aware of its need to 
take over policing responsibilities, and that UNMIT was 
willing to offer its assistance in this endeavor.  Lastly, he 
assured the Council that UNMIT would work bilaterally and 
multilaterally to ensure that the security sector, reform, 
and the rule of law continued to improve. 
Rice