INDEPENDENT NEWS

UN On Attack In East Timor

Published: Wed 30 Jun 1999 07:44 PM
Secretary-General Deplores In Strongest Terms Attack On UNEMET Maliana Regional Office
The following statement was issued today by the Office of the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:
The Secretary-General deplores in the strongest terms today's attack on the Maliana regional office of the United Nations Mission in East Timor (UNAMET). According to UNAMET personnel, approximately 100 persons, reportedly pro-integration militia members, threw rocks and stones at the office while UNAMET staff and local East Timorese took refuge there. Several people were seriously injured, one UNAMET staff member was hurt and the office was extensively damaged. The Secretary-General's Personal Representative for East Timor, Jamsheed Marker, and his Special Representative for the Popular Consultation, Ian Martin, have protested the attack to the Indondensian authorities in Jakarta and Dili.
The Secretary-General holds the Indonesian Government, which has responsibility for bringing law and order to the Territory, accountable for allowing such an attack to occur, and deems may assault on UNAMET personnel or property completely unacceptable. He calls on the Indonesian police to investigate the incident and to bring the perpetrators to justice.
In the 5 May Accords, signed in New York by Indonesia and Portugal, Indonesia undertook to create an atmosphere of peace and security in East Timor before the August popular consultation. The Secretary-General reiterates his call on the Indonesian Government to fulfil its commitments under the Accords by taking the necessary steps to rein in militia activities; begin disarming armed groups, in cooperation with UNAMET; provide protection for United Nations offices and create a climate conducive to the holding of the popular consultation.
The Secretary-General wishes to make clear that such acts of provocation and vandalism will not deter UNAMET from fulfilling its obligations as set forth in the 5 May Agreement and Security Council resolution 1246 (1999).

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