Timor Leste: 5 dead in recent riots, UN official tells Council, urging that UN stay

The senior United Nations envoy to Timor-Leste today reported to the Security Council that five people died and 60 were injured during recent clashes in the nascent country, and urged an extension of the world body’s presence there.

“The latest developments have reminded us that not only is democracy in Timor-Leste still fragile, but also the internal security situation is easily assailable,” said Sukeihiro Hasegawa, head of the UN Office (UNOTIL) in the country, which the UN ushered to independence following a referendum that sparked widespread violence in 1999.

The recent clashes related to the dismissal of 594 soldiers from the Timorese Defence Force – one third of the total armed forces. The dismissed soldiers staged a demonstration demanding an investigation. For four days, the protests were peaceful, but on Friday a mob including “some political elements” broke off from the area and attacked government buildings, Mr. Hasegawa said.

The military was deployed, and during the ensuing riots victims were killed or injured by firearms, stone-throwing or stabbing, according to UNOTIL, and government offices and properties were destroyed.

“While the physical damage caused to properties remained miniscule in comparison with the destruction of 1999, the psychological impact on the people turned out to be immense,” said the UN envoy. “As many as 14,000 people became internally displaced persons as they sought refuge in churches and other public buildings at different locations throughout Dili,” the capital, he said.

With UNOTIL’s mandate set to expire on 20 May, Secretary-General Kofi Annan, responding to a request by the Timorese leaders, has recommended the establishment of a new UN political presence for one year including an electoral assistance unit, police training advisers, military liaison officers, and civilian advisers in critical areas that require continued assistance. Experts would also be deployed to monitor and report on the human rights situation leading up presidential and parliamentary elections to be held in 2007.

Mr. Hasegawa echoed this recommendation today, telling Council members that the recent “tragic events” indicate an “acute need” for the UN’s support, particularly with the development of the armed forces.

The Timorese leaders and people, he said, “are calling for our assistance to help them.”

Representatives from over 20 countries took part in a debate which followed his presentation, many voicing support for the continued presence of the UN in Timor-Leste.