S/PV.4968 Security Council

I should like to inform the Council that I have received a letter from the representative of Timor-Leste, in which he requests to be invited to participate in the discussion of the item on the Council’s agenda. In conformity with the usual practice, I propose, with the consent of the Council, to invite that representative to participate in the discussion without the right to vote, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Charter and rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure. There being no objection, it is so decided.

The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. The Council is meeting in accordance with the understanding reached in its prior consultations. Members of the Council have before them document S/2004/333, which contains the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Mission of Support in East Timor. Members of the Council also have before them document S/2004/383, which contains the text of a draft resolution prepared in the course of the Council’s prior consultations. It is my understanding that the Council is ready to proceed to the vote on the draft resolution before it. Unless I hear any objection, I shall put the draft resolution to the vote now. There being no objection, it is so decided.

There were 15 votes in favour. The draft resolution has been adopted unanimously as resolution 1543 (2004).

I would like stress my delegation’s appreciation for the consensus adoption of the resolution extending the mandate of the United Nations Mission of Support in East Timor, in line with the presentation of a presidential text. The delegations of Brazil and Angola were proud to have had the opportunity to draft the present resolution, which guarantees the presence of the United Nations peacekeeping force in Timor-Leste for another six months with a view to extending its mandate for a further six months. We are particularly glad that the international community, through the Security Council, could provide an adequate answer to the request of the Timorese authorities. More than that, the resolution adopted is a clear commitment of the international community to peace and security in a country that is only two years of age and that can take pride for so many historic deeds. We praise the people and authorities of Timor-Leste for their tremendous achievements in so short a period of time. We also praise the international community for its great support for the building of this new nation. We are sure that this one-year consolidation phase of the United Nations presence in Timor-Leste will be of the utmost importance to the development of Timor-Leste, its own capabilities and self-sufficiency. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all delegations for their valuable contributions during the negotiations that ended with a rewarding consensus on the adoption of this resolution. Strong support was always displayed for the efforts undertaken by the Timorese Government and people with a view to bringing peace and prosperity to that country. Finally, I would like to thank once again Ambassador Kamalesh Sharma for his outstanding work in Timor-Leste. We wish him all the best now that he is concluding his term as Special Representative of the Secretary-General for East Timor and returning home for what we hope will be many good years of happiness with his family and friends. The President: The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on its agenda.