East Timor: UN mission chief hails broad civic involvement in constitutional process

East Timorese Constitutional Commissioners today presented the head of the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) with detailed reports from each of the territory's districts on what tens of thousands of people would like the future Constituent Assembly to consider when drafting a Constitution.

"People climbed mountains and braved weather in order to make their valuable and precious contributions at the public hearings," one Commissioner said today in front of the 200 people attending the handover ceremony.

UNTAET chief Sergio Vieira de Mello praised the Commissioners for carrying out their task in the short time period allocated for the process, and despite linguistic and logistical constraints. He also praised the more than 38,000 people that turned out at the 200 public hearings throughout the territory.

"The impression I gained was that many were captivated by the process and thrilled that for the first time - perhaps in their lives - they were being asked their views, knowing that they would have the opportunity to shape decision-making in their future nation," Mr. Vieira de Mello said.

The Constitutional Commissions - which consisted of between five and seven Commissioners, one Rapporteur and one Constitutional Adviser - held public hearings in each of East Timor's 65 sub-districts between 18 June and 14 July.

Among the issues discussed at the hearings were the political system, currency, and flag East Timor should adopt. People also raised topics such as the type of punishment that should be applied to those responsible for serious crimes; the educational system; laws for foreign investors; how oil and gas revenue from the Timor Sea should be distributed; and the official language.

Mr. Vieira de Mello will present a final report outlining the Commissions' findings to the Constituent Assembly once it convenes in mid-September. He noted that nothing contained in the reports presented today was binding upon the future Assembly, but added that "given the overwhelming public response to the process of consultation, what is clear is that the people have spoken."