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| U.S questions redeploying UN peacekeepers to E.Timor |
| 2006-06-19 |
| US ambassador John Bolton questioned the need for the United Nations (UN) to send peacekeepers back to East Timor, despite secretary-general Kofi Annan's consideration of a UN return. Asked if UN troops left the tiny western Pacific nation too soon, Mr Bolton said, "Certainly not". An Australian-led multinational force of about 2,700 intervened in East Timor last month to quell fighting between military factions that threatened the stability of the world's youngest nation, which became independent in 2002. "I think we certainly want to do what we can to support the Australians and New Zealanders who are there and to consider what's appropriate," Mr Bolton said. But he said the latest turmoil was unrelated to East Timor's independence from Indonesia. The UN deployed some 7,500 UN peacekeepers in 2000 to replaced a previous Australian-led force that quelled violence by Indonesian troops and allied militia ahead of the independence vote. The UN Security Council shut down the peacekeeping force last month, leaving a small political mission in the country. Some council members favour a return of UN troops or police. East Timor has asked for UN police for at least a year while the world body administers the country's elections, due next year. The nation's leaders are assuming that military functions would be handled by Australia, New Zealand and Malaysian troops there now, Mr Annan said. Mr Bolton says the cause of the violence is related to post-independence politics. "But there is no argument that UN forces should remain in a country like East Timor forever," he said. "What we need is a way to work thorough post-peacekeeping operations to graduation, so democratic countries can stand on their own two feet. "That's what the people of those countries want, not a UN presence forever. "That is not desirable for the countries involved, it is not desirable for the UN, it is not desirable for the other member-governments. "I think responsibility and democratic control of your own government means doing it on your own." Last week Mr Annan said he believed the UN had pulled out of the country too soon. He sent an envoy, Canadian Ian Martin, to the country to assess the situation. Mr Martin said a UN peacekeeping mission should provide law and order primarily in Dili, the capital, in advance of East Timor's May 2007 elections. |
| Posted by:Oztralian |