Vol. 505 No. 6
88 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on whether the situation in East Timor arising from many murders and much intimidation from a militia apparently armed and supported by the authorities, makes a fair and free and open democratic decision almost impossible; and the steps, if any, he is taking bilaterally or through the European Union or the United Nations to secure an improvement in this situation. [14531/99]
The Government warmly welcomed the agreement signed in New York on 5 May between Portugal and Indonesia on the future of East Timor. Central to the terms of this agreement was provision for a ballot to be held on 8 August by means of which the people of East Timor would be able to decide in a democratic manner on proposals formulated by the Indonesian Government to grant autonomy status to the territory.
During my recent visit to East Timor, I saw at first hand the intimidation and violence that were taking place. I immediately raised at the highest level with the Indonesian authorities and I also took steps to ensure that the UN Secretary General and other governments were fully informed.
It is a matter of deep concern to me and to our EU partners that armed militias are currently being permitted to intimidate the population of East Timor and may be attempting thereby to influence the outcome of the ballot or to have it cancelled altogether. Many killings and other acts of wanton violence against innocent civilians are known to have taken place in recent months. In these circumstances it may indeed prove difficult to hold the consultative process as scheduled on 8 August in a free and fair manner. I have therefore availed of every opportunity, as have my EU colleagues, to impress upon the Indonesian Government its primary responsibility for curbing the activities of the militias and for the maintenance of peace and security in the territory.
The operational aspects of the consultative process to be held in East Timor are now the responsibility of the United Nations and it will be for that body to decide if conditions are suitable for a democratic ballot to be held. The UN Mission in East Timor – UNAMET – comprising up to 280 civilian police officers and several hundred other UN officials is to be established with the task of organising and conducting the ballot. It is hoped that UNAMET will be deployed in the near future and that Irish personnel will be available to play an appropriate part in the operation.
