John Perry
Ceist:61 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his assessment of the situation in East Timor. [25474/99]
Written Answers. - East Timor Conflict.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:87 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position in regard to measures to safeguard human rights in East Timor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25775/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 61 and 87 together.
As I indicated in my reply to questions on East Timor on 2 November, the final withdrawal of Indonesian forces was completed at the end of October. Since then the security situation has improved further throughout the territory, including in the enclave of Oecussi, which is surrounded by West Timor. The INTERFET force continued to be built up and the total now numbers approximately 9,500. The Irish contingent with INTERFET is actively involved in the Suai area, which is close to the border with West Timor, and their performance has been recognised and is highly appreciated.
While it would be premature to say that the threat from pro-integrationist militias has entirely disappeared, there has been a significant reduction in their activities in East Timor. The policy of the new Government of President Wahid in Jakarta is also taking effect in West Timor, with the result that there has a been a withdrawal of support by local Indonesian forces for the militias there. Some – but not all – of the militia leaders have called for the laying down of weapons and this has happened in a number of cases. Some militia members, and this probably concerns those who were reluctantly pressed into service, have indicated that they wish to return to East Timor. Such persons are subject to a special vetting process by INTERFET before being allowed to enter East Timor.
There are, however, still hardline elements among the militias, particularly in West Timor. It remains unclear if they will join with other pro-integrationist leaders who are now debating on how they can be reconciled with Mr. Gusmao and his allies, or whether they will remain unreconciled. The situation may be clarified if the pro-integrationist elements succeed in organising a meeting to address all of these matters.
The fate of refugees in West Timor and elsewhere in Indonesia has been linked to the level of militia intimidation and interference. As a result of the reduced levels of militia activity, the flow of refugee returns has increased. While the process is not free of problems, the United Nations High Commission for Refugees calculates that close to 110,000 refugees have now returned, which according to its estimates would be approximately 70% of the total. The UNHCR signed a further agreement in late November with the Indonesian authorities to expedite the process. A visit by Vice-President Megawati to camps in West Timor last week is further seen as being helpful, although pressure will have to be maintained on the Indonesian government to ensure that its instructions are fully carried out at local level. In addition, some of the remaining refugees may have voted against independence, and they will no doubt require sufficient reassurances before making any decision about returning. Thus, even when the process is completed, there may be a residual number who will have opted to remain in Indonesia.
Returning refugees are being given medical aid, food and other supplies to enable them to reconstruct their lives and homes. This work is taking place in the larger context of providing humanitarian assistance throughout the country, which still faces enormous tasks of reconstruction and rehabilitation.
The World Bank, accompanied by the European Commission, has also just made a study of requirements over the middle to longer term, and initial estimates indicated that $250 to $300 mill ion will be required. A donors conference to address these findings and solicit pledges of assistance will take place in Japan later this month. For our part we will be examining the results of our own assessment mission to East Timor in order to see what best contribution we can make bilaterally to the reconstruction programme which is now under way.
The UN Transitional Administration in East Timor – UNTAET – is also now in place and will be further developed, in accordance with the terms of UN Security Council Resolution 1272 of 25 October 1999. The mission of UNTAET will be to provide security, help with reconstruction and develop the capacity of the East Timorese for self-government and independence.
The peacekeeping element of UNTAET will replace INTERFET, and this changeover is expected to take place around the end of January. Consultations are currently taking place with the UN on Ireland's contribution to the peacekeeping force.
UNTAET is now recruiting personnel for the civil administration. While initially this will involve international personnel, the intention is to train East Timorese as quickly as possible. Whereas prior to the referendum on independence practically all senior positions in the administration were held by Indonesians, and these have now left, a large number of lesser positions were filled by East Timorese. UNTAET is now actively working to identify such persons, some of whom have been found among the refugees, and to persuade them to return to their positions.
Another key component of UNTAET's work will be the installation and training of a police force and judicial system, since those which existed previously have entirely disappeared. In the interim, police work, the administration of justice and the safeguarding of human rights will be the responsibility of UNTAET.
The wide-scale violations of human rights which took place both before and after the referendum are a matter for investigation by the commission established by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights at the request of the UN Secretary General. This commission is to report to the Secretary General by the end of December. As part of its work, the commission recently visited East Timor. I understand that the Indonesian Commission on Human Rights has also been active in investigating such matters.
Mr. Gusmao made clear when he visited Dublin that he is prepared to be reconciled with former adversaries, but that this had to take place on the basis of their acknowledgment of guilt and responsibility. These sentiments have also been expressed by Bishop Belo. I hope that the work of the UN special commission will make a positive contribution in this regard.
Mr. Gusmao also indicated that he was prepared to work constructively with Indonesia, and in that regard I am pleased to note that he visited Jakarta on 30 November and according to reports had a cordial meeting with President Wahid.
While East Timor still faces many challenges, progress can be noted in a number of areas. UNTAET must now receive adequate support from the international community to achieve its goals. UNTAET must develop self-capacity on the part of the East Timorese people, and avoid the pitfalls which have arisen elsewhere of creating a dependency culture. East Timorese leaders must work for reconciliation among all the sectors of society and co-operate constructively with the international community. This should pave the way for elections to take place in East Timor at the earliest possible date, and East Timor's final progression towards independence. We look forward to the day when it will be possible to recognise East Timor as an independent country.