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TIMOR-LESTE
MAKING PROGRESS IN OVERCOMING LAST YEAR'S CRISIS, SAYS BAN KI-MOON:
05/9/2007 (MaximsNews.com, U.N.) |
UNITED NATIONS - / www.MaximsNews.com@
U.N./
- 05 September 2007 – Despite
the recent flare-up of tensions following the announcement of a new Government,
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has commended Timor-Leste on overcoming the crisis
of last year that led to the bolstering of the United Nations presence in the
country which it helped shepherd to independence in 2002.
An
indication of that progress is the successful completion of presidential and
parliamentary elections with which the Timorese people “once again
demonstrated their faith in democratic processes to move beyond internal
divisions,” Mr. Ban writes in his latest report to the Security Council on the
activities of the UN Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) from 27 January
to 20 August.
However,
he added, the process leading to the formation of the new Government and the
violent disturbances following it “demonstrate that not all divisions have yet
been overcome. Continued efforts to strengthen the culture of truly inclusive
and participatory democracy based on rule of law and respect for human rights
will be essential for the creation of a stable and prosperous Timor-Leste.”
The
Security Council created UNMIT in August 2006 to help restore order after
fighting, attributed to differences between eastern and western regions, broke
out in April and May and led to the deaths of at least 37 people and forced
about 155,000 people – or 15 per cent of the population – to flee their
homes.
In his
report, Mr. Ban says the security situation in the country improved overall
during the reporting period but continues to be volatile and subject to sporadic
violence, such as that witnessed after the formation of a new Government led by
former president Xanana Gusmão following the June elections, which failed to
produce a single outright winner.
“Elections
are a fundamental step in consolidating democracy, but only an initial one,”
he observed, adding that many of the challenges relating to the 2006 crisis
remain unresolved, such as the grievances of members of the armed forces, gang
violence and the situation of some 100,000 people who remain internally
displaced.
Mr. Ban
cautions that the Government will face “a delicate balancing act” in
addressing more immediate problems stemming from the crisis while guaranteeing
public security and ensuring effective socio-economic programmes to tackle
issues such as poverty, which continues to be “one of the major causes of
instability” in the country.
Other
priorities include advancing on justice and reconciliation issues, strengthening
the judicial sector and promoting human rights, as well as moving forward with
security sector reform, including training of the national police force.
The
serious but temporary escalations of violence in the course of this year
“serve as a reminder of the fragility of the security situation,” Mr. Ban
states. “They also demonstrate that, despite the peaceful conduct of elections
and wide acceptance of the results, there is still a need to nurture a culture
of non-violence and promote the peaceful resolution of differences.”
Labels: United
Nations, U.N.,
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