S/PV.6276 Security Council

On behalf of the members of the Council, I welcome His Excellency Mr. José Luís Guterres, Deputy Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste. In accordance with the understanding reached in the Council’s prior consultations, I shall take it that the Security Council agrees to extend an invitation under rule 39 of its provisional rules of procedure to Ms. Ameerah Haq, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste. It is so decided. In accordance with the understanding reached in the Council’s prior consultations, I shall take it that the Security Council agrees to extend an invitation under rule 39 of its provisional rules of procedure to Mr. Pedro Serrano, acting head of the delegation of the European Union to the United Nations. 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/2010/85, which contains the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste. I now give the floor to Ms. Ameerah Haq. Ms. Haq: Thank you, Mr. President, for the opportunity to introduce the report of the Secretary- General (S/2010/85) on the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT), in my first appearance before the Security Council as the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Timor- Leste. A substantial portion of the report is dedicated to the findings and recommendations of the technical assessment mission, which visited Timor-Leste from 10 to 17 January and worked jointly with me and other members of the UNMIT leadership, as well as the United Nations country team. The assessment mission engaged in extensive consultations with the Timor- Leste authorities and other stakeholders across the political spectrum, including the opposition and civil society. I am pleased to acknowledge the presence today of the Deputy Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, His Excellency José Luís Guterres. I would also like to express my appreciation to President José Ramos- Horta, President of the National Parliament Fernando “Lasama” de Araújo, Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão and the leader of the Frente Revolucionária do Timor-Leste Independente (FRETILIN) opposition, Mari Alkatiri, for their warm reception and agreement to continue regular discussions with me on a weekly basis. I have also received warm welcomes from the Council of Ministers and various segments of Timor- Leste’s population, including from civil society and representatives of the church and local communities in the districts of Dili, Lautem, Baucau and Oecusse, which I have visited over the past weeks. Although I have been Special Representative for only about six weeks, it is evident that remarkable progress has been made since the events of 2006, which led to the establishment of UNMIT. There is a vibrant civic life, with active commercial areas in Dili and other urban centres. Crime rates remain low and have shown a decreasing trend over the past year, with an average of 87 security incidents reported weekly to police during the period from 24 September 2009 to 20 January 2010, down from an average of 118 incidents reported weekly to police in the period from 9 July 2008 to 20 January 2009. Timor-Leste has reached a new stage, where there is an intensified focus on measures needed to sustain stability, deepen democracy and the rule of law, reduce poverty and strengthen institutions. Timor-Leste, under the stewardship of its national leaders, is now working to consolidate the gains of the past and to ensure a smooth transition to the recovery and development phase. This will require continued efforts on the part of the Timorese, as well as the continued support of the international community. The problems arising from the 2006 crisis were considerable, but the long-term challenges ahead may prove to be even more difficult to address. It is important to note that many State institutions have demonstrated increasing capacity, which has been bolstered by better security and stability, the assistance of the United Nations and other members of the international community and, most importantly, the commitment of the staff of those institutions. These include, among many others, the Ministry of Social Solidarity, the electoral management bodies and the Banking and Payments Authority of Timor-Leste. This demonstrates that, given such commitment and with continued stability and targeted and coordinated international assistance, other institutions can also overcome the fragilities and challenges mentioned in the Secretary-General’s report. Democratic processes are maturing. Needless to say, political parties have their differences, as they do in any multiparty democracy. However, events over the reporting period demonstrate renewed commitment to expressing these views in a manner that does not undermine the process of interactive dialogue, which is essential to proceed with recovery from the 2006 crisis. Political leaders have shown real willingness to work across party lines to address issues of national importance. For example, on 1 February, after several months of stalemate, Parliament was able to select the Chairman of the Anti-Corruption Commission, who was sworn in on 22 February. This was possible in large part because of the leadership of Prime Minister Gusmão and all political parties represented in Parliament, who demonstrated their willingness to move forward on a priority national issue. Now that the leadership has shown the political commitment necessary to allow the establishment of the Anti-Corruption Commission to move forward, it is essential to focus on the building of that institution, as well as many others, in order to increase accountability, transparency and good governance. Another major governance initiative is the possible formation of municipalities, and we await clarification by the Timorese authorities of their plans for municipal elections. While all political leaders with whom I have interacted expect that these elections will be highly contested, it is hoped that they will be conducted in the same peaceful manner as the village (suco) elections. President Ramos-Horta continued his important efforts to facilitate and encourage mutual engagement among leaders on issues of national importance. He has informed me that his joint meetings with the Prime Minister and the Secretary-General of FRETILIN will be held regularly. The efforts of the President also extend down to the community, as he meets regularly with people at the grass-roots level in Dili and the districts. The various initiatives that support his “Dili, City of Peace” campaign are an admirable reflection of his proactive efforts to establish a stable and peaceful democracy. It is also encouraging that recent statements by FRETILIN have committed the party to ensuring peace and stability. Long-term security and stability depend on the development of a national police force that is professional and impartial and operates with due respect for the rule of law and human rights. The jointly owned process of resumption of primary policing responsibilities by the Policia Nacional de Timor-Leste (PNTL) will require continued concentrated efforts to ensure that it provides the necessary foundation for longer-term institution-building efforts. The need for such a foundation informed the development of the mutually agreed criteria for resumption. I have just received assessment reports on the districts of Dili and Ermera and the Special Police Unit from the joint technical team consisting of civilian and police representatives from the Government and UNMIT. The team concluded that Dili and the Special Police Unit do not yet meet the criteria for resumption and require further measures to strengthen capacities, while Ermera has met the criteria. As per the usual practice, action plans for Dili and the Special Police Unit will be developed and implemented to prepare them for resumption. In the meantime, resumption maintains its momentum. All of the districts have been assessed and the PNTL has resumed primary policing responsibilities in four districts and three units, with resumption in two additional districts, Baucau and Ainaro, scheduled for March. With this momentum sustained and with both UNMIT and the Government continuing their concentrated efforts to meet the mutually agreed criteria and to ensure the integrity of the certification process, there is a strong possibility that the resumption process can be completed by the end of 2010. In this regard, I would note that the report of the Secretary- General particularly focuses on the need for the Government to address PNTL logistical challenges. I am determined to move this resumption process forward, in close cooperation with the Government of Timor-Leste, including in the context of the team that will be planning the downsizing of UNMIT during the period through 2012. Reconfiguring and reorienting the UNMIT police component towards post-resumption challenges will be one of my main priorities. This includes supporting further skills development for the PNTL in critical areas such as the appropriate use of force, community policing and criminal investigations. PNTL accountability mechanisms must also continue to be improved to avoid impunity for acts of misconduct. Appropriate disciplinary and criminal investigations have been initiated in recent incidents of alleged abuse by the PNTL in Dili. Encouragingly, the Timorese leadership and the President of Parliament have expressed concern and specifically asked for reinforced UNMIT support to the PNTL Department of Justice, which is the unit responsible for disciplinary investigations. As the resumption process progresses and UNMIT police increasingly need to focus on the institutional development of the PNTL, the difficulties springing from the lack of sufficient numbers of specialized police trainers and advisers are likely to become even more acute. In this connection, I appeal to police-contributing countries to consider this carefully and to make every effort to provide police officers with the necessary technical skills and competencies, as well as the training background required for effective skills transfer. This will be a major area of focus for UNMIT but will need to be a collective undertaking for the United Nations and contributors alike. As recommended by the technical assessment mission and stressed by the Secretary- General in the report, where specialized personnel cannot be provided by police-contributing countries or where continuity in functions is particularly important, consideration should be given to seeking additional civilian personnel with required expertise to assist. Regarding the overall security sector, the clear definition and delineation of roles and responsibilities of the PNTL and the Falintil-Forças de Defesa de Timor-Leste (F-FDTL), and the strengthening of civilian oversight and management capacities, are particularly critical outstanding issues. It will thus be important for the package of national security legislation under consideration by Parliament and the related subsidiary legislation to be adopted — as well as the national security policy under preparation — to adequately address these issues. Perhaps the greatest long-term challenges for Timor-Leste will be socio-economic. I am pleased to note that the Government demonstrated its renewed commitment to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and coherent, transparent, coordinated and truly Timorese-owned planning processes. On 26 January, the National MDG Steering Committee held its first meeting, chaired by the Minister of Finance. The Prime Minister is currently leading preparation of the medium to long-term National Strategic Development Plan. I look forward to early consultation by the Government with relevant stakeholders on the proposed Plan and its finalization, as it will be critically important for there to be alignment between the Plan and national budget allocations, as well as for assistance strategies of international partners to take it into account. In my visits outside the capital, local community members expressed their desire that development efforts should more effectively reach rural areas. Timorese leaders themselves have expressed similar concerns, and it is essential that the Government redouble its efforts to ensure that development benefits are felt equally in rural and urban areas. This will entail appropriate budgetary allocations to the social services sectors and the strengthening and decentralization of line ministries. Also, significant efforts by Government and Parliament in such areas as gender-responsive budgeting will require continued and intensified commitment in order to ensure the empowerment and meaningful participation of women in all sectors of society. I also note that more than 60 per cent of the population is under the age of 25 and that 48 per cent is below the age of 17. This is a potential asset for the future of the country. However, with an estimated 15,000 to 20,000 new entrants in the labour market every year, and with the current unemployment rate of 18.4 per cent among young people nationwide, the lack of employment opportunities is also a serious challenge to sustaining economic growth and human development and, I might caution, will have serious security consequences if not adequately addressed. The rule of law with due respect for human rights requires commitment to accountability and judicial independence. On 15 February, two additional defendants charged in relation to violence that occurred during the 2006 crisis were found guilty of violence against persons and property and illegal use of firearms, ammunition and explosives. One was sentenced to imprisonment for eight years and the other to six years and six months. This is another step forward in judicial processes towards fulfilment of the recommendations of the Independent Special Commission of Inquiry. In my meetings with Timorese authorities, I continue to reiterate the United Nations position that there can be no amnesty or impunity for serious crimes such as genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. Although the President acted within his constitutional prerogatives, I discussed with him concerns that the pardons issued on 25 December 2009 could exacerbate perceptions of impunity. I would also like to reiterate that the four F-FDTL members convicted of manslaughter in the shooting deaths of eight PNTL officers in 2006, one of whom was pardoned and three of whom received sentence reductions, have yet to pay the court-ordered compensation to the victims’ widows. I would like to recall that the report of the Secretary-General and the technical assessment mission highlighted the broad desire of the Timorese leaders and other national stakeholders across the board for a continued UNMIT presence, concentrating on the four mandated priority areas, through the crucial period up to 2012. Keeping in mind the priorities identified by the assessment mission for the 2010-2012 period in each of UNMIT’s mandated priority areas, adjustments and refinements to the United Nations approach will inevitably need to be made in order to take into account changing and evolving conditions on the ground. In the coming days and weeks, I will work closely with the Government and other relevant national stakeholders, the United Nations country team and international partners to develop proposals for the reconfiguration of the mission through 2012, subject, of course, to the Security Council’s agreement that such a presence is necessary. This will include a gradual drawdown of UNMIT police, which, as the report notes, should be approached cautiously and be subject to an assessment in late 2010. Before I conclude, let me thank the Deputy Special Representatives of the Secretary-General, Finn Reske-Nielsen and Takahisa Kawakami, as well as all the staff of UNMIT and the United Nations country team who have been so steadfast in their support of efforts to assist Timor-Leste. Most importantly, let me also express my admiration for the determination and will of the Timorese people who continue to strive for a peaceful and better future for their country. I look forward to receiving the guidance of the Security Council and hope that it will renew its commitment to the people of Timor-Leste.

I thank Ms. Haq for her briefing. I now give the floor to Mr. José Luís Guterres, Deputy Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste.

I thank you, Sir, for the opportunity to address this Security Council meeting on Timor-Leste. For more than decade, the Security Council created various missions, from the United Nations Mission in East Timor in 1999 to the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) today. The Council gave each United Nations mission a different focus, a different composition and different objectives according to the realities of the time. The report of Secretary-General (S/2010/85) before us confirms that stability and a peaceful political environment in Timor-Leste are realities. This is a demonstration that the Council’s decisions have been right. In spite of the 2006 crises, in general we can say that the United Nations intervention in Timor- Leste has been very successful. I should like to take this opportunity to thank you, Mr. President, the Security Council, the Secretary- General and the international community at large for the continuing commitment to the success of the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon visited Timor- Leste in 2007 and had the compassion to visit the refugee camps in Dili. Today, those camps are closed and the internally displaced persons have returned to their homes and families. By working together with the United Nations and the international community, we were able to solve one of the most difficult and most complex problems in our county. We should like to take this opportunity also to thank the Secretary- General for his leadership, and his Special Representatives and Deputy Special Representatives for their contributions to the success we have achieved. As a nation and people, we have been blessed by the kindness of the international community. As citizens of the world, we value the spirit of humanitarian solidarity. For that reason, the Government of Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão has on various occasions extended its financial support to the peoples of the region that have suffered natural disasters. After the earthquake disaster in Haiti, the Council of Ministers decided to provide to the people and Government of that country financial aid of $500,000. We could not remain silent in the face of the suffering of such magnitude of fellow human beings wherever they are. Despite the current world economic and financial crises, our economic growth in terms of non-oil gross domestic product (GDP) was 12.8 per cent in 2008 and, by our preliminary estimate, around 12 per cent in 2009. In the meantime, annual average inflation is less than 2 per cent. The agriculture sector substantially increased its productivity by introducing high-yield and hybrid crop varieties and by improving irrigation systems. The Ministry of Finance improved the system of public finance management and budget execution, while at the same time remaining steadfast on the path of fiscal prudence and discipline. We are committed to maintaining growth in non-oil GDP for years to come and to investing in rural areas, human resources and basic infrastructures in order to reduce poverty and unemployment. Reducing unemployment is not an easy task; we need foreign, national and public investment. To minimize the high level of unemployment, we have made an agreement with the Republic of Korea to export our labour force. Hundreds of Timorese are already working in that country, and we hope that other countries may follow the example of Korea. Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão is finalizing the strategic plan for Timor-Leste. The plan will play a major role in the development of our country and in better preparing our people and nation to face the challenges of the present and the future. The budget for 2010 is approximately $637 million. The national priorities for this year are roads, water supply, food security, human resources training, access to justice, social services and administrative decentralization, good governance and public security. The Government of Timor-Leste aims to make the management of public finances among the most accountable and the most transparent in the world. We will try. A few days ago, executives from a Canadian management software company, Free Balance, visited Timor-Leste; they are providing accounting services to many countries. An agreement was reached by which they will provide software solutions for public financial and human resources management. These new solutions will produce at least two portals for the public via a web-based interface. One is called a transparency portal, where the public can access real-time information on how State funds are being executed, including such details as amounts allocated, the timing and location of projects, and under which programme the project is being implemented. The other is a procurement portal that gives access to information on the procurement plans of the Government, providing the business community with equitable participation and adequate preparation time to complete applications and submit them to the process. Once the procurement process starts, it can be monitored and provide information to the public on how the procurement process was implemented, which procurement method was utilized, the process of evaluation, the names of companies and bidders, and the allocation to the successful bidder. The citizens and organizations of my country will be able to follow closely the budget execution and the procurement process in real time. We are working towards compliance with 18 requirements under the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative. Our aim is to protect and prudently manage the petroleum sector to benefit the people of Timor-Leste and to ensure that those resources and revenues are properly accounted for and that global standards for good governance, transparency and accountability are met and implemented. Petroleum funds will continue to be managed pursuant to current laws, and any changes will be debated in our national Parliament. As a recipient country of aid, we have volunteered, together with six other fragile States, to become pilot countries to be monitored with respect to the Principles for Good International Engagement in Fragile States and Situations. The High-Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness held in Accra in 2008 endorsed an Agenda for Action to reform the delivery of aid and improve the effectiveness of development assistance. The Accra accords were based on the principles of 2005 Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness. On 26 February, a global report will be launched in Washington, D.C., where the Minister of Finance of Timor-Leste, Emilia Pires, will be one of the panellists. On 8 April, we will host in Dili the International Dialogue on Peacebuilding and State-Building, to be co-chaired by the United Kingdom and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We hope that by sharing experiences and best practices among post-conflict countries, we may all be better prepared to navigate towards the future with more confidence. The Council of Coordination for the justice sector, composed of the courts, general prosecutors and the Ministry of Justice, met on 12 February and agreed on the Justice Sector Strategic Plan. The recommendations of the independent comprehensive needs assessment were incorporated into the Strategic Plan. Major areas include institutional development, infrastructure and information technology reform, legal framework, human resources development, access to justice, and important measures to strength the rule of law such as the implementation of the Audit Court, improvement of the capacity for criminal investigation, creation of the forensic services, and implementation of a case management system in all core justice institutions. On 19 February, a bilingual version of the Penal Code was published in Portuguese and Tetum. Domestic violence became a public crime. A draft law on the protection of women and children subjected to domestic violence was submitted to the National Parliament and is now under consideration. A land law, that will also protect the property of women, is under discussion. The National Commission for the Rights of the Child has now been fully implemented. It will have a positive impact as an oversight and consultative body to the Government in matters related to the protection and dissemination of the rights of children. A traditional or customary justice law is currently been drafted. It will regulate cases that can be solved by customary justice and also protect human rights, especially those of women and children. The Government has done everything possible to create better conditions for the justice sector. This year, a new training course for future judges, prosecutors and public defenders will begin with the help of Portugal. The justice sector is in its infancy. Many achievements have been made, but many challenges remain on the road ahead. Justice and reconciliation are part of our system of values. We are strongly against impunity, and we believe in the rule of law and human rights. The Government welcomes the support of UNMIT and the international community in general for the justice sector. Yesterday, the Chairman of the Anti-Corruption Commission was sworn in at our National Parliament. The ceremony represented a milestone in the fight against corruption and nepotism. Mr. Adérito de Jesus has all the professional and personal qualities to be chosen by an absolute majority of the members of Parliament to lead that crucial struggle. He will have all the support that he needs from the Government. The people of Timor-Leste expect a lot of him, and I wish him great success. The stability and peaceful political environment in Timor-Leste are the result of the collective effort of Timor-Leste, the United Nations and the international community. Many citizens of Member countries have served in Timor-Leste. Today, there are still many civilian and police officers from within the United Nations system. There are others from neighbouring countries, such as New Zealanders and Australians, who have contributed to peace, came to Timor-Leste at the invitation of our country and continue to serve in the International Stabilisation Force. We hope that, by 2012, they will return to their families after a successful mission. Relations with the countries in our region are excellent. Today, Timor-Leste is an observer member of the Pacific Islands Forum, and there is a strong desire in our country that, in a few years from now, Timor-Leste will become a full member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. We have worked with Indonesia with courage and forward thinking on common issues of the past, such as human rights violations, through the Commission of Truth and Friendship. As a democratic country that is pro-human rights, we have promised ourselves and our people that we will not condone impunity or human rights violations in our own country. Finally, we concur with the assessment made in the report that there is a consensus in Timor-Leste that UNMIT should remain in Timor-Leste up to 2012. We thank all present for their support.

I shall now give the floor to the members of the Security Council, advising them to be concise, which will enable us to hold our discussion quickly.

I would like to congratulate Ms. Ameerah Haq on her first briefing to the Council in her new capacity as Special Representative. I would also like to extend a warm welcome to His Excellency Mr. José Luís Guterres, Deputy Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, and to thank him for his statement. We are very pleased with the positive developments in Timor-Leste over the course of the past year. The security situation has remained generally calm and the success of the suco elections demonstrated the growing trust of the people in democratic governance. Progress has also been made in the area of capacity-building. The issue of internally displaced persons is one of those remaining since the 2006 crisis and is being dealt with, and we are hopeful of an early satisfactory solution of that pending issue. We applaud the efforts of the Government and the people of Timor-Leste. We are also grateful for the indispensable role that the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) and the countries concerned have played in support of Timor-Leste’s efforts to achieve such progress. Yet, we should remind ourselves that even a calm situation may contain a hint of fragility. It is essential to continue to ensure security, for instance, so as to conduct municipal elections in a free, fair and safe manner later this year. In that regard, a key task of UNMIT is to support the Policia Nacional de Timor- Leste (PNTL) in steadily resuming the policing responsibility. We welcome PNTL assumption of responsibility in four districts and three units last year. We hope that steady progress will continue to be made throughout this year. However, we should not rush the process by setting a rigid timeline before the National Police acquire the necessary capacity. The transfer of policing responsibility should be based on an assessment of the capacity of the local police and objective criteria. Therefore, we support the Secretary-General’s prudent approach to reconfiguring the UNMIT police component. The downsizing of the police should take place on a district-by-district basis and on the basis of an assessment of the capacity in each district. The focus of the United Nations police is naturally shifting to its role in training and mentoring the PNTL, which is expected to carry the primary responsibility for public security. Here, I would like to stress the importance for the Government to lay out clearly the future vision and orientation of the PNTL — what kind of national police it would like to develop, for instance, with emphasis on community policing. Timor-Leste is at a critical juncture in its efforts to consolidate its achievements and to pave the way for self-sufficiency and sustainable development. As I have stressed on many occasions, the security and durable stability of any country, including Timor-Leste, can be achieved only with the corresponding socio-economic development. As UNMIT carries out its mandate, integrated peacebuilding efforts should be accelerated. In that regard, I applaud Prime Minister Gusmão’s leadership in preparing a National Strategic Development Plan to advance socio-economic development, given the lack of economic opportunities for the young population. I believe that vocational training and job creation should be given the highest priority in the Timorese Development Strategy. I also stress the importance of rural development, agriculture and infrastructure, such as roads and water resources, in the 2010 national priorities. All resources — domestic and external, bilateral and multilateral, public and private — should be mobilized to support those priority activities. The presence of UNMIT is an essential stabilizing factor for Timor-Leste. The various contributions of the members of UNMIT are greatly appreciated. We therefore support the extension of UNMIT’s mandate for another 12 months, as recommended by the Secretary-General. We believe that the Security Council should begin discussing in due time the future role of the United Nations in the country. As a lead country in Timor-Leste, we suggest organizing a Security Council mission some time this year to make the review process meaningful in defining the future role of the United Nations as the critical year of 2012 approaches. I would like to conclude by reiterating Japan’s continued commitment to standing by the Timorese people in their nation-building effort.

I, too, would like to thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Timor-Leste, Ms. Ameerah Haq, for her exhaustive presentation of the report of the Secretary-General (S/2010/85), which has helped us to better grasp the political and security situation prevailing in the young State of Timor-Leste. I also welcome the presence here of His Excellency Mr. José Luis Guterres, Deputy Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, and of course I thank him for his statement, which confirmed, if that were necessary, that the process of consolidation is being carried out successfully. Recent developments in the situation in Timor- Leste, as we have just heard, bring to mind some observations on the political process, the state of security and the activities of the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT). At the political level, Gabon welcomes the effective contribution of the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste, particularly with respect to the restoration of the rule of law, the reaffirmation of political consensus, and Timorese ownership of the organization and conduct of the various elections. Gabon calls on the international community to help to consolidate all of those efforts and encourages the Government to persevere in maintaining political stability. With respect to security, Gabon welcomes the results that have been achieved and welcomes the important role played by UNMIT in the ensuring the stability of Timor-Leste, in close cooperation with the international security forces and the Falintil-Forças de Defesa de Timor-Leste. In that regard, Gabon supports UNMIT’s initiative to strengthen the capacities of the Policia Nacional de Timor-Leste to better provide security for property and people once UNMIT and the international forces have withdrawn. With respect to UNMIT’s technical assessment mission, Gabon welcomes its positive conclusions, particularly its satisfaction with respect to the objectives assigned to UNMIT in the four mandated priority areas: review and reform of the security sector; strengthening of the rule of law; promotion of a culture of democratic governance and dialogue; and economic and social development. However, Gabon believes that the achievements that we have seen thus far in the area of security and development must be strongly supported by the international community so that they can be maintained. We support the renewal of UNMIT’s mandate for 12 months, as recommended by the Secretary-General.

At the outset, I would like to join my colleagues in welcoming Deputy Prime Minister Guterres and thanking him for his contribution to today’s debate. I would also like to congratulate the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Ms. Ameerah Haq, on her appointment and thank her for her update on the situation in Timor-Leste. Let me also say that Austria fully aligns itself with the statement to be delivered by the acting head of the European Union (EU) delegation, on behalf of the EU, later in this debate. Austria welcomes the Secretary-General’s latest report (S/2010/85) on the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT), which incorporates the findings and recommendations of the technical assessment mission that visited Timor-Leste last month. The report of the mission is a very useful tool for reviewing progress made on the medium-term strategy and on meeting the benchmarks for UNMIT’s mandated priority areas. We also appreciate the comprehensive and inclusive approach taken in the preparation and implementation of the mission. The Secretary-General’s report reflects the positive development that Timor-Leste has been able to make, and we wish to commend the Government and the people of Timor-Leste on their achievements. We welcome the successful resumption of primary policing responsibilities in a number of districts and units, and are looking forward to the continuation of this process. It is our understanding that the transfer of policing responsibilities must be in line with the agreed criteria and will require the completion of the certification process. Continued monitoring from a human rights and gender perspective, as well as effective accountability mechanisms for the security forces, will be important. We support adjustments in the number of UNMIT police personnel, as suggested by the Secretary-General for 2010, and agree that further drawdowns would require an additional assessment. Important progress has also been made concerning the situation of internally displaced persons. We now need to make returns and reintegration sustainable. In this context, we welcome the use of the Peacebuilding Fund emergency window to finance infrastructure projects and monitoring mechanisms. Timor-Leste continues to face important challenges in reducing poverty and creating employment opportunities, in particular for its youth population. There is an increasing need to move from conflict prevention to a comprehensive development agenda, as the representatives of the Timorese Government have also repeatedly pointed out. The current preparation of a national development strategy will allow for more effective international support and increased national ownership in this area, which should focus, in particular, on assisting the country’s youth. We welcome some progress made in strengthening the rule of law, including in holding accountable those responsible for criminal acts and human rights violations during the 2006 crisis, as well as continued investigations by the UNMIT Serious Crimes Investigations Team into serious violations committed in 1999. We remain convinced that delays in delivering justice can adversely affect public confidence in the judiciary and, more broadly, in the Government. We wish to reiterate our support for Timor-Leste’s endeavours to build strong institutions that can fight impunity for grave violations of human rights. UNMIT will also need to continue to play an active role on this issue. The Government’s response to the independent needs assessment report on the justice sector is very encouraging. We hope that the recommendations of the report will be taken into account in the ongoing development of the Justice Sector Strategic Plan. In this context, it is obviously also important to address the specific rights and needs of women. We are concerned about the difficulties encountered by victims of sexual and gender-based violence in obtaining justice. The provision of training to police and justice personnel will be an important measure to address these important challenges. We also believe that the number of women officers, both in the national and the UNMIT police, should be increased. Security sector reform remains one of the major challenges for long-term peace and stability. We welcome the Government’s efforts to develop a national security policy, as well as progress made in establishing civilian oversight of the security sector. Further clarification of the respective roles and tasks of the police and the defence forces is obviously important. The “Force 2020” strategic plan constitutes an important step in this regard. We commend the defence forces on their intention to consider the development of capacities for disaster relief and for participation in United Nations peacekeeping. As I said at the last briefing on this subject, Austria is exploring ways to assist Timor-Leste in its capacity-building efforts in these areas. In conclusion, we believe that there should be a positive response to the overwhelming desire of Timorese society for continued United Nations support until 2012. Austria therefore supports the extension of UNMIT’s mandate for a further period of 12 months and the continuation of a strong good offices role for the Special Representative of the Secretary-General. Capacity-building should be at the centre of international efforts to further increase national ownership and ensure the long-term stability and prosperity of the Timorese nation.

Like many of our colleagues, we thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Ms. Ameerah Haq, for presenting the Secretary- General’s report (S/2010/85) on the work of the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) and for her informative briefing on developments in the country. We congratulate Ms. Haq on her recent appointment as head of UNMIT and wish her success and productivity in her work in this post. We would also like to thank Mr. José Luís Guterres, Deputy Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, for his thorough remarks. We welcome the report’s comments on the strengthening of stability in Timor- Leste. That country has managed to overcome the consequences of the crisis of 2006 and achieve promising improvements in the political situation and in the area of security. The tented camps have been closed and internally displaced persons are returning to a normal life, although some problems in this area still remain and require a prompt response. In October 2009, in a peaceful and calm atmosphere, local elections were held for village — suco — officials, confirming the national electoral system’s growing capacity. All political parties are interested in strengthening national unity and endeavouring to resolve their differences through democratic means. We understand, however, that the progress achieved remains fragile. The institutions of authority in this young State are not yet consolidated, and national security organs still need support. Dili is encountering serious socio-economic problems; the unemployment and poverty levels remain, unfortunately, very high. In such conditions, strengthening the national security forces is of critical importance in establishing stability, and is an important indicator of the State’s self-sufficiency. We are intently following the pace of the handover of responsibility for the maintenance of law and order from UNMIT to the Timorese police, which has already been done in a few districts. We also welcome the approach of the Timorese Government to the process of handing over responsibility for the maintenance of law and order to the national police as early as the end of this year. This requires that both Dili and UNMIT continue to step up their efforts to strengthen police capacity, training and logistical and technical support. It is important that the timeline for the handover be arrived at using criteria developed jointly with the country’s leadership: this means basing it on the preparedness of police units, not on artificial deadlines. We were interested to study the proposals of the Secretariat’s technical assessment mission regarding the possible future reconfiguration of UNMIT. Bearing in mind the fragility of the progress achieved, we support the Secretary-General’s recommendation on extending the current mission mandate for 12 months, with a subsequent gradual drawdown by mid-2011 of the number of police by 328 officers. We also support the Secretary-General’s plan for beginning the drawdown of mission personnel before 2012. We await further recommendations on the reconfiguration of the United Nations presence, taking into consideration the position of Dili and developments in the country. In conclusion, we would like to express to the head of UNMIT, Ameerah Haq, and to all the mission staff, our appreciation for their professionalism and selfless efforts. Russian police officers are serving in the police component of UNMIT, and Russia will continue to support their noble mission.

I too would like to begin by welcoming the Secretary-General’s Special Representative, Ameerah Haq, to her first meeting with the Security Council in that capacity, to thank her for her briefing today and also to reiterate our continuing support for the efforts of the United Nations in assisting the people of Timor-Leste. I would also like to welcome His Excellency Mr. José Luís Guterres, Deputy Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, to the Council today, and to thank him for his update, which illustrated the determination and will of Mr. Guterres himself, his Government and the people of Timor-Leste to build an increasingly stable, prosperous and well governed nation, playing its full role in the region and more widely. I fully align myself with the statement that will be made later in the debate on behalf of the European Union by the acting head of the European Union delegation. We are encouraged by the continuing stable security situation in Timor-Leste, which has seen no return to the large-scale unrest experienced in February 2008. Timor-Leste continues to make much progress, as demonstrated in the successful suco elections held in October last year, and the effective resumption of policing responsibilities in four districts by the national police, the Policia Nacional de Timor-Leste (PNTL). We look forward to the handover of additional districts to the PNTL by the end of March. It is important that this momentum be maintained throughout 2010 and 2011. The fact that there has been no increase in crime or disorder following the transfer of responsibility is very welcome. We fully support the efforts of the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) to help strengthen national policing capacity, and we hope that the mission, with the help of the international community, as Ameerah Haq said in her briefing, can focus its efforts more and more precisely on providing the relevant training and advice. But we do not underestimate the challenged that remain, which Ameerah Haq has outlined. We would echo the Secretary-General’s report (S/2010/85) on the need for clear delineation of the roles and responsibilities of the national police and the military. The ongoing uncertainty in this relationship could be destabilizing. We welcome efforts by the Timorese authorities to address this through enhanced legislation. As underlined in the Secretary-General’s report, the four medium-term benchmarks — security and stability; rule of law, justice and human rights; democratic governance and dialogue; and socio-economic reform — remain critical to addressing the overall challenges in Timor-Leste. In particular, we continue to stress the importance of tackling impunity, on which we welcome the remarks made just now by the Deputy Prime Minister. It will be vital to continue efforts to bring to justice perpetrators of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. We believe that UNMIT’s Serious Crimes Investigation Team has an important role to play in this by concluding its outstanding investigations. We fully support its efforts to pursue this valuable work rigorously. With regard to addressing corruption, the recent appointment of Adérito de Jesus Soares as Timor- Leste’s first Anti-Corruption Commissioner is a significant step in improving transparency and public accountability in Timor-Leste. We hope the authorities will build on that appointment by taking further practical, concrete steps to tackle corruption. We support the proposed extension of UNMIT’s mandate for a further 12 months, but it remains our aim to see Timor-Leste rely less and less on international support. The plan for a measured drawdown of UNMIT’s police component is a step in the right direction. An early indication from UNMIT on its longer-term drawdown strategy will be crucial, and we look forward to this in due course. While there is general agreement that UNMIT will remain until 2012, preparing the future after 2012 will be key. We encourage early consideration of what might follow UNMIT, and of the shift to an increasingly civilian- focused United Nations peacebuilding presence.

I would like at the outset to thank the Secretary-General for his comprehensive report (S/2010/85), which provides a very objective and precise overview of the situation in Timor-Leste. I would also like to thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Ms. Ameerah Haq, for her briefing and for her efforts as head of the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) to establish security and stability in that country and to help its people attain their legitimate national aspirations. We also welcome to the Security Council His Excellency Mr. José Luis Guterres, Deputy Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Timor- Leste. Lebanon appreciates the unanimity between UNMIT and the various political and civil society sectors in Timor-Leste, and welcomes the conclusions of the technical assessment team on the security situation, the rule of law, human rights, justice, the implementation of democracy in the country, and the economic and social situation. We also welcome the improving political and security situation in Timor- Leste, despite its continuing fragility, as reflected in the report. We support the municipal elections to be held this year in an atmosphere of political consensus, security and stability. These elections are an important indicator of Timor-Leste’s progress in its transformation into a democratic country based on the rule of law. In my country’s opinion, accountability and combating impunity are fundamental. In this regard, we cannot help but stress the confirmation in the Secretary-General’s report of the need to complete investigations and the collection of evidence aimed at prosecuting the perpetrators of serious past crimes. We view with serious concern the increasing poverty in many sectors of the population in Timor-Leste, particularly the sharp rise in youth unemployment. We believe it is a social time bomb that could lead to serious security consequences, particularly as many youth in armed gangs were responsible for the violent events of the 2006 crisis. Hence, the importance for the Government to work towards economic and social development in the country, especially through new opportunities for employment and a more just distribution of national wealth. Finally, we would stress that the international community must continue to help Timor-Leste to build and strengthen its institutions, particularly judicial and security institutions. We support the recommendation of the Secretary-General in the report on the extension of UNMIT’s mandate for a further 12 months, as it stands, so that it may complete its mandated mission.

We join previous speakers in welcoming the Deputy Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, José Guterres, and we thank him for his statement. We welcome and congratulate Ms. Haq on her appointment as the Secretary-General’s Special Representative to Timor-Leste and Head of the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT), and we thank her for her insightful briefing. We thank her predecessor, Mr. Atul Khare, for his commendable work. We are encouraged that Timor-Leste continues to make progress, despite the structural, economic and administrative challenges. We commend the Timor- Leste authorities for continuing to work with all interested parties to address political issues through dialogue, which has contributed to stability in the country. The strengthening of Timor-Leste’s institutions, such as Government ministries and democratic institutions, is a welcome development. We also welcome the Government’s commitment to strengthen rule of law and justice institutions through appropriate legislation. The efforts of the Government still require support from the international community, particularly from the United Nations, especially in the area of institution-building. Long-term support and commitment is essential for strengthening key institutions of governance and economic recovery. We therefore welcome the increase in the leadership and ownership of the development process by Timorese authorities and people. As institution-building continues, the importance of clarifying and delineating the roles and responsibilities of the different institutions, such as the national police and the defence forces, will need to be addressed. In that regard the Government’s commitment to address the matter through the development of a national security policy is commendable. We also welcome efforts to address the concern of civilian oversight in the security sector, such as the establishment of the Parliamentary Committee for that purpose. We welcome the progress made in the registration and certification of national police officers, whose authorized strength has now almost been reached. That is not only good for the development of the rule of law in the country, but is also a significant step in the facilitation of the quicker resumption of policing responsibilities from UNMIT police. We are concerned, however, by the lack of UNMIT technical police expertise needed at this point to support the Timorese police. We call on UNMIT to address that matter as a priority. Despite that problem, as well as the insufficient administrative and logistical capacity within the national police in Timor-Leste, we are encouraged that crime rates did not increase in districts where the national police resumed policing responsibilities. We note the Government’s view on the need to expedite and conclude the process of resumption of policing responsibilities by the national police by the end of 2010, and we note UNMIT’s readiness to ensure that that is achieved. The resettlement of internally displaced persons is critical in dealing with a potential recipe for instability. We therefore welcome the resettlement of all internally displaced persons and the closure of all camps. We commend the Government for starting the implementation of phase II of the National Recovery Strategy, aimed at providing assistance to resettled families. While that is a good start, its long-term sustainability will be realized only if the Government makes complementary efforts to address other socio-economic challenges. Issues such as rural development, education and youth unemployment require the urgent attention of the Government and its development partners. I am glad that the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that point in his briefing. In that regard, the prompt implementation of UNMIT’s medium-term strategy and related benchmarks will be crucial in facilitating progress. To that end we support the Secretary-General’s recommendation on the extension of UNMIT’s mandate for a further 12 months. Finally, we thank the Secretary-General’s Special Representative, the UNMIT staff and the United Nations country team for working hard to support the efforts of the Government and the people of Timor- Leste to stabilize and develop their country.

We too wish to thank the Deputy Prime Minister of Timor- Leste, Mr. José Luis Guterres, for his presence and for his statement to the Council on the situation in his country. My delegation is also grateful for the briefing by the Special Representative for Timor-Leste, Ms. Ameerah Haq. We want to welcome her warmly to her new responsibilities in leading the United Nations efforts in Timor-Leste. We also want to use this opportunity to acknowledge the work carried out by Mr. Atul Khare for stability and development to that country. We were pleased to observe that, as the Secretary-General’s report (S/2010/85) says, Timor- Leste continues to enjoy an atmosphere of security and stability. That generates optimism and good prospects for tackling the challenges that are still to be resolved in the medium and long term. We welcome the work done by the technical assessment mission led by Mr. Ian Martin to consider the role that the United Nations Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) must play on the basis of progress achieved in its mandate. We agree with his conclusion on maintaining UNMIT in the country until 2012. We hope that, for that date, progress in peacebuilding and in strengthening the institutions will allow the Security Council to analyse the eventual termination of the Mission’s work. We commend the achievements of Timor-Leste’s authorities in strengthening electoral institutions. We also commend the holding of elections, in an overall peaceful atmosphere, and the maintenance of political stability in the country. We trust that those efforts will continue in the run-up to the presidential and parliamentary elections to be held in 2012. One of the basic challenges in terms of security is the current process of transferring command to the Policia Nacional de Timor-Leste (PNTL), which will fully resume the policing work that to date has been done by UNMIT’s police division. We believe that the authorities’ cooperation with the Mission should continue and should be intensified so that the national police can continue to benefit from its guidance and efforts to promote institutional development and the necessary capacity-building, with a view to allowing the PNTL to once again fully take up policing functions in all districts and units by the end of 2012. A national police that has sufficient operational capacity and behaves professionally and impartially will be the foundation for daily stability throughout the country. It is equally important that there be a clear definition and delimitation of responsibilities between the national police and the Falintil-Forças de Defesa de Timor-Leste, with a view to strengthening the effectiveness and professionalism of both bodies. Moreover, we commend and support all efforts made by the country’s Government, with the support of the Mission, in the areas of creating jobs, combating urban and rural poverty and improving access to basic social services, which is certainly a basic component in maintaining the country’s stability and the security of its population. With regard to justice and accountability, we believe that one of the essential elements in promoting national reconciliation and lasting peace is to address outstanding cases related to the crimes committed during the 1999 and 2006 crises, in line with resolutions 1704 (2006), 1745 (2007) and 1802 (2008). My delegation agrees with the report of the Secretary- General. We reiterate that, in line with the position of the United Nations, there should be no amnesty or impunity when it comes to war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. In that connection, we were pleased to note that the Parliament is to take up a draft law to set up a successor body to the Commission for Reception, Truth and Reconciliation and the Commission for Truth and Friendship. That will contribute to improving the people’s trust in their institutions. Lastly, with regard to protecting human rights, we welcome the fact that the Government of Timor-Leste has identified domestic violence as a crime. We hope that this measure will have a positive impact on women’s participation in the political, economic and social spheres. That simple but meaningful step reflects the vision of the Timorese authorities and their commitment to a future of gradual and sustainable development.

I, too, would like to welcome Special Representative of the Secretary-General Haq to the Council and to thank her for her briefing. The United States congratulates her on assuming that position and looks forward to working with her. I would also like to extend a warm welcome to His Excellency José Luís Guterres, Deputy Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, and to thank him very much for his remarks. We applaud the Government and the people of Timor-Leste for the progress they have made and for their deep commitment to establishing a strong and sustainable democracy. We are encouraged by that progress, but, as the Secretary-General’s report makes clear (S/2010/85), Government institutions remain fragile. The briefings we have heard this morning provide us with valuable insight into the situation on the ground. The technical assessment mission organized by the Department of Peacekeeping Operations has provided us with helpful recommendations on the way forward. This morning, I would like to address the four priority areas outlined in the Secretary-General’s report. First, let me say a few words on security and stability. The successful local elections on 9 October were a positive sign that the security situation remains stable. The upcoming municipal and national elections will be a further test of the Government’s political stability and of the capacity of the Timorese national police. The continued transfer of primary policing responsibilities from the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) to the national police is another positive development. In that regard, we commend the efforts of Timor-Leste, UNMIT and dedicated bilateral donors, particularly Australia and New Zealand. We support the Government’s desire to accelerate the timeline for the transfer of the remaining policing districts, but we note the importance of adequate training and sufficient capacity before transfers take place. We also reiterate the need to remain diligent in delineating responsibility between the police and the military. The United States supports the Secretary- General’s recommendations to gradually decrease international police personnel and to continue high- quality specialized training of the national police, including through the addition of civilian experts. We are pleased to continue to facilitate that strengthening of Timor-Leste’s security sector through our multi- stakeholder national security workshops hosted by the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies in Honolulu. On the matters of the rule of law, justice and human rights, we commend the Government of Timor- Leste for its achievements in strengthening the judiciary and in passing key legislation to support the rule of law, including the adoption of the criminal code. We are, however, concerned about the need to address impunity. In that regard, we welcome very much the comments of the Deputy Prime Minister this morning. Those individuals who committed offences during the 2006 crisis should be held accountable in accordance with the recommendations of the Special Commission of Inquiry. We also encourage Timor- Leste to support the recommendations of the Commission for Truth and Reconciliation. With regard to democratic governance, Timor- Leste has made advances in establishing the Civil Service Commission and more effective parliamentary oversight of Government activities. Timorese officials have now turned their attention to combating corruption. The United States is considering ways that our Millennium Challenge Corporation might assist Timorese efforts in that area. Finally, the United States recognizes the clear link between security and development. In that context, we remain concerned about the most vulnerable in Timor-Leste: the poor and the displaced. We support Timor-Leste’s continued efforts to address malnutrition, increase employment and improve access to education and child protection, especially in rural areas. For our part, the United States continues to provide technical support through $24 million in annual assistance programming. Timor-Leste has deemed one of our rural development projects — the Greenhouse Project — as a best practice. We appreciate that the Government is now making its own investment to replicate the model throughout the country. The people of Timor-Leste have made great strides towards achieving peace and stability. But they need and deserve the continued support of the United Nations and international partners. For that reason, the United States supports the extension of UNMIT’s mandate as proposed by the Secretary-General.

At the outset, I would like to welcome His Excellency Mr. José Luís Guterres, Deputy Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, and to thank him for his remarks. I would also like to thank the Secretary-General for his report (S/2010/85) and to thank his Special Representative, Ms. Ameerah Haq, for her comprehensive briefing to the Council in her new capacity. We support her efforts and we support the key coordinating role of the United Nations in Timor-Leste. Like others, I would like to praise the Timorese people, Government and political parties, as the security situation remains relatively calm and stable. This considerable stabilization has enabled the Timorese to address key issues such as the further strengthening of State institutions and democratic governance and the adoption of important measures to fight corruption. In this context, the creation of the Anti-Corruption Commission and the recent appointment of its first Commissioner are all welcome developments in the right direction. We also welcome the successful holding of the village elections of 9 October 2009 without major incident, proving that the Timorese people are committed to democracy and that the political parties are demonstrating respect for democratic principles and processes. We are glad to see that all of the camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs) have finally been closed. We are confident that the Timorese authorities, with the help of the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT), will also meet the requirements for the reintegration of IDPs into society. In the same vein, we hope that UNMIT’s process of handing over policing responsibilities to the Timorese national police, the Policia Nacional de Timor-Leste (PNTL), will continue to be as smooth as it has been until now. In this respect, we are pleased to note that the resumption of primary policing responsibilities by the PNTL has not led to an increase in criminal activity. We take careful note of the wish of the Timorese authorities to see the process of handing over policing responsibilities finalized by the end of this year in all districts and all units. That is an understandable and legitimate request from a democratic and sovereign Government. However, we also think that things should not be rushed and thus continue to support the Secretary- General’s gradual approach in this matter. We welcome further progress achieved in the registration, screening and certification programme for the PNTL in accordance with the Policing Arrangement. It seems also that quite a few logistical requirements must be fulfilled in order to complete the handover process. In this regard, the findings of the technical assessment mission at the beginning of this year will surely guide future efforts and further progress to enhance security sector reform, internal security and national defence. Improvement of the justice sector and its institutions remains equally important. Despite these considerable achievements, the main issues that contributed to the 2006 crisis, as mentioned in the Secretary-General’s report — such as poverty, unemployment, lack of an effective land and property regime and a weak judicial system — continue to pose important challenges and need to be fully addressed in order to anchor stability in Timor- Leste. That is a must for the sustainable development of the country. In particular, the high rate of unemployment among youth is not only worrisome for the economic development of the country, but also stands as a possible risk to the security situation of Timor-Leste. Moreover, gender-based violence should also be addressed comprehensively. In that regard, the training of the PNTL to resolve community issues is of utmost importance. Given the progress achieved so far, we are confident that Timor-Leste will eventually overcome all these challenges. However, that requires continued national dialogue and unity. Therefore, we join the Secretary-General in encouraging the Government and the opposition to continue broad consultation efforts. We also believe that Timor-Leste requires the continued support of the international community in its quest for peace, stability and prosperity. We thus accept the Secretary-General’s recommendation, based on the findings of the technical assessment mission, that UNMIT’s present strength and composition should be maintained. In this regard, we fully support the recommendation of the Secretary-General to extend UNMIT’s mandate for a further period of 12 months, with the same composition and a gradual decrease of the police component by mid-2011. Let me conclude by wishing continued success to the Timorese people and Government.

I would like to extend a warm welcome to Deputy Prime Minister José Luís Guterres and thank him for his statement. Through him, I wish to congratulate the Timorese Government and people on the progress achieved in many different areas in the past year, including in the economic, social, political and security domains. I also welcome the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Ms. Ameerah Haq, and wish her success in her new functions. I thank the members of the technical assessment mission to Timor-Leste, in particular its chief, Mr. Ian Martin, for their diligent work and valuable recommendations. The Brazilian Government has done its best to cooperate with the Timorese people, the people of a fellow Portuguese-speaking country, and did so even before the formal creation of the country. A common language, however, is not the only connection between our two countries. Even though we are geographically distant, similarities in history and culture bring us together as partners and friends. Currently, we have ongoing cooperation projects with Timor-Leste in fields such as food security, education, health and security. We also cooperate on the strengthening of the judiciary and on legal and diplomatic training. We are pleased at the positive developments in Timor-Leste. The successful elections held last October for chiefs and councils are a sign of growing democratic maturity. The establishment of the Anti- Corruption Commission in parliament and the appointment of its first Commissioner are also significant. The closure of all camps for internally displaced persons is an important development. The challenge ahead is to continue to implement measures that enable all those who returned to their original homes to make a living in a safe environment. Livelihood and employment opportunities have also increased in the country, including in rural areas and for vulnerable groups and youth, as described in the Secretary-General’s report (S/2010/85). Improvements are noted in terms of job creation and the qualification of human resources, as thousands of teachers have received intensive training and many hundreds of youngsters have had access to technical education. Brazil pays particular attention to these matters and has assisted the Timorese Government in capacity-building by providing teachers and experts, as well as infrastructure. Despite the overall progress, it must be noted that poverty and unemployment remain a formidable challenge, as underlined by Ms. Ameerah Haq. The international community should continue to cooperate with the efforts of the Timorese authorities to generate employment and income, as this constitutes an important path to ensuring stability and growth. We welcome the progress made in the security situation in Timor-Leste and commend the efforts undertaken by the Timorese national police to carry out its duties. We welcome the positive results achieved so far in the districts and units already handed over to the Timorese police. We also support the resolve of the Government and the United Nations to intensify police training so as to ensure the sustainable resumption of primary policing responsibilities throughout the country as soon as possible. The cautious approach taken by the Secretary- General for a gradual drawdown of United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) police, conditioned upon progress in the development of the national police force and measured against the fulfilment of objective criteria and an assessment of the evolving situation on the ground, is one that we fully support. In our view, it is important to clearly delineate the roles and responsibilities of the security sector institutions, in particular between the police and the military and to establish an appropriate civilian oversight mechanism. In this regard as well, progress has been made. The Timorese authorities have taken significant steps in the development of a legal framework for the security sector, including a national security law. We support their efforts and encourage them to proceed with determination. Timor-Leste has been able to move forward and address some of the most pressing issues and challenges faced by any young country. The international community has provided assistance and should continue to offer its support to the Timorese. Brazil supports the extension of the mandate of UNMIT in line with the desire of the people and the Government of Timor-Leste and as proposed by the Secretary-General. We believe the United Nations presence remains indispensable to assist the Government in consolidating the gains of the past and in ensuring a smooth transition to recovery and development. Taking into account the planning for possible future adjustments in the United Nations presence, Brazil supports the proposal that the Council include Timor-Leste in the schedule of visits to be made in the current year.

We join other delegations in thanking the Secretary-General for his most recent report (S/2010/85) on the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT). In addition, we extend our thanks to His Excellency Mr. José Luís Guterres, Deputy Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, and to Ms. Ameerah Haq, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Timor-Leste, and express our appreciation to her for both the current and future proposals on the mandate of UNMIT. We also extend our thanks to Mr. Ian Martin, former Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Timor-Leste and head of the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste, for his leadership resulting in the comprehensive findings and the recommendations of the technical assessment mission. Bosnia and Herzegovina has aligned itself with the statement that will be delivered later on by the representative of the European Union. Allow me now to comment on the points we consider crucial for the joint efforts by the United Nations and Timor-Leste Government to achieve sustainable peace, stability and prosperity in the country. The positive Timorese political undertakings in 2007 and 2009 should serve as a springboard for the upcoming municipal and national elections. We share the view that the national and municipal elections to be organized in 2010 and 2012 will be of critical importance. In this context, we commend the domestic authorities for the successful organization and completion of the elections in 2009. Furthermore, President Ramos-Horta’s recent pledge to engage with national and local leaders on issues of national interest may be viewed as a constructive prelude to fostering political dialogue. In this light, the recent activities such as the “Road to peace and national unity” dialogues as well as the “Dili, City of Peace” campaign are noteworthy. Bosnia and Herzegovina believes that such efforts may serve as encouraging indications of an additional strengthening of the security and justice sectors. Strengthening security sector reform is crucial for sustainable peace and security in Timor-Leste. A clear delineation of responsibilities between the Policia Nacional de Timor-Leste (PNTL) and the Falintil- Forças Armadas de Defesa de Timor-Leste (F-FDTL) has to be defined, and a comprehensive reform process of both should be carefully developed and completed. While we commend the process of resumption by the PNTL of the primary responsibilities for police operations in several districts since May 2009, we are also hopeful that the rest of the country’s districts will follow through by the end of 2010. The appropriate completion of the certification process thus remains essential, as does further capacity-building of the PNTL at the national and district levels. Bearing these commitments in mind, we agree that there is a need for a carefully mapped-out approach to the drawdown of UNMIT police, taking into account all the lessons learned from the 2006 and 2008 events. We look forward to hearing more about the UNMIT team’s plans, supporting the approach explained in the comprehensive report of the technical assessment mission. We are deeply convinced that only truth and justice can lead the country towards full reconciliation and prosperity. We commend the consensus achieved among all stakeholders to institutionalize the recommendations of the Commission for Reception, Truth and Reconciliation and the Commission for Truth and Friendship regarding investigations of crimes against humanity and other serious crimes committed during the crisis. The more successful the fight against impunity is, the better the prospects for true reconciliation and national unity will be. Socio-economic problems must be addressed in an effective and coordinated manner, with all stakeholders on board, including the private sector, civil society and foreign donors. Infrastructure projects, foreign investment and an improvement in youth employment will contribute, inter alia, to poverty reduction and the promotion of sustainable economic growth. We are pleased to note the significant improvements in dealing with internally displaced persons. Bosnia and Herzegovina is aware of the challenges that large numbers of internally displaced persons entail. The reintegration of internally displaced persons is linked both with achieving and maintaining lasting peace and with strengthening democratic institutions and processes. However, the slow progress on the gender and human rights fronts is a matter of concern. This is principally significant in terms of domestic and sexual violence against women and children. It is crucial that domestic violence and sexual assault cases be formally prosecuted in accordance with the new Criminal Code. In this vein, we also encourage the continuation of programmes for the prevention of gender-based violence, under the auspices of the United Nations Development Fund for Women and UNMIT. Finally, Bosnia and Herzegovina commends the effective interconnectivity that the technical assessment mission has undertaken with relevant United Nations entities regarding its review of progress and challenges in Timor-Leste. We are of the view that the technical assessment mission’s current findings and recommendations are valuable for paving the future road towards stability and progress in Timor-Leste. With this in mind, Bosnia and Herzegovina supports the extension of the UNMIT mandate for another 12 months.

The Chinese delegation welcomes Mr. José Luís Guterres, Deputy Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, to the Council and thanks him for his statement. We congratulate Ms. Ameerah Haq on her assumption of the post of Special Representative of the Secretary- General for Timor-Leste and thank her for her comprehensive briefing on the recent situation on the ground. We are pleased to see that, over the past few months, the overall situation in Timor-Leste has remained stable. The momentum of the political dialogue among various parties has been maintained and the principle of seeking to resolve differences through consultation has been respected. Certain progress has been achieved in economic and social reconstruction. The Government attaches importance to investment in education and health and to the provision of basic services to the population. This has produced positive results in the improvement of people’s lives. With the assistance of the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste and the international community, the Policia Nacional de Timor-Leste (PNTL) has enhanced its law enforcement capacity and is gradually taking over responsibility for ensuring law and order. At the same time, we should recognize that Timor-Leste still faces formidable challenges in economic development and the improvement of people’s livelihoods. Problems such as slow agricultural development, youth underemployment and lack of human resources are hampering the recovery and reconstruction process and having a fundamental effect on the social stability of Timor-Leste. We support the Timor-Leste Government in its continuing efforts to increase input into infrastructure development, education, health and vocational training, and we call on the international community to provide more assistance to the Government and the people of Timor-Leste in the relevant fields. We note that in his report (S/2010/85) the Secretary-General has put forward recommendations on the drawdown of UNMIT police. We are of the view that UNMIT is fulfilling an important mission in Timor-Leste and that its police component is playing a particularly important role in helping maintain social order and in increasing the law enforcement capacity of the PNTL. It is our hope that, in its approach to the drawdown of UNMIT, the Secretariat will keep in mind the process of peace and reconstruction in Timor-Leste and will ensure the security and stability of Timor- Leste while implementing the drawdown plan. We support the Secretary-General’s recommendation to extend the mandate of UNMIT for a further year, and we hope that Special Representative Haq and UNMIT will continue to play an active role in helping the Timor-Leste Government to increase its administrative capacity and in coordinating the assistance efforts of the international community.

Nigeria welcomes His Excellency Mr. José Luís Guterres, Deputy Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, and we thank him for his contribution to this debate. We congratulate Ms. Ameerah Haq, the new Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Timor- Leste, and we commend her for her comprehensive briefing. I will limit my remarks to the following points, which we judge to be very crucial. First, we welcome the relative stability in Timor- Leste. We are encouraged by the growing respect for constitutional order and the commitment to build consensus on development issues, both by the Timorese leadership and by the Frente Revolucionária do Timor-Leste Independente (FRETILIN) opposition. These efforts need to be reinforced and the parties encouraged to continue efforts towards a national consensus and consultation. Secondly, for the evolving peace to be sustainable, it must be underpinned by viable national and State institutions and genuine socio-economic progress. In that regard, Timor-Leste requires the strengthening of its security and justice sector institutions and measures to create employment, reduce food insecurity and reintegrate internally displaced persons (IDPs). Measures should be taken to address the challenges facing IDPs, in particular their need for basic assistance and services, the settlement of land disputes and reintegration into their original communities. The professional development of the national police, the Policia Nacional de Timor-Leste (PNTL), is critical to the emergence of a national security force. As the PNTL increasingly assumes more policing responsibilities, its capacity needs to be enhanced through vigorous training, mentoring and institutional development. An efficient and professional PNTL would, without doubt, enable the Timor-Leste Government to fulfil one of the certification requirements for resuming police responsibilities. Thirdly, we welcome the efforts to redress past cases of impunity, as well as the establishment of accountability mechanisms. These measures will certainly reinforce the rule of law. However, we note that without a resilient justice and security sector, the burgeoning peace and stability in the country could be threatened. Fourthly, we support the broad desire of the Timorese leadership and other national stakeholders, as confirmed by the technical assessment mission to the country last month, that the United Nations maintain the integrated support of the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) for the country. We also support the proposal that a cautious approach be adopted for the initial drawdown of UNMIT police and that further drawdowns be subject to an assessment in late 2010. We look forward to the establishment of the assessment team and to the key elements of the drawdown proposal. To conclude, although Timor-Leste has made significant progress it still faces many serious challenges as it seeks to establish a stable democracy and develop its economy. We believe that UNMIT’s medium-term strategy and the related benchmarks can provide a solid foundation for sustainable stability and prosperity in Timor-Leste. We therefore welcome the recommendation regarding the review of the mandate of UNMIT and its extension for a further period of 12 months.

I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the representative of France. I welcome the presence of Mr. José Luís Guterres, Deputy Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, and once again convey to him the support of France. I also thank Ms. Ameerah Haq, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Timor-Leste, for her briefing. The representative of the European Union will be making a statement at this meeting, and we subscribe to it. Over the past year, the overall situation in East Timor has continued to improve. It has been characterized by political stability, the development of a constructive dialogue between the Government and the opposition, institution-building and strong economic growth. But it will take time to consolidate this progress. The reassuring presence of the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) and the international security forces — whose activities we welcome — will be a key element of stability into 2012. France supports the renewal of the mission’s mandate for a further 12 months, as part of a medium- term consolidation strategy with a view to progressive Timorese ownership of responsibilities now borne by UNMIT. We share the concern of the Government that responsibility for law and order should rapidly be transferred to the Timorese police, in line with criteria jointly formulated by the United Nations and the authorities. As indicated in the report of the Secretary- General (S/2010/85), this should make possible a gradual reduction in UNMIT personnel. In his report, the Secretary-General also stresses the importance of fighting impunity for past crimes, which is a prerequisite for sustainable reconciliation. We share the concerns expressed by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and encourage her to remain actively engaged in this area, in conformity with the mandate that the Security Council has given her. We reaffirm in particular our support for UNMIT’s action in support of the Prosecutor-General of East Timor, including through the mission’s Serious Crimes Investigation Team. I now resume my functions as President of the Security Council. I give the floor to the representative of Australia.

Australia welcomes the opportunity to participate once again in the Security Council’s deliberations on Timor-Leste. I would like to thank Special Representative Haq and Deputy Prime Minister Guterres for their presentations. The Deputy Prime Minister’s presence is especially valued. I would also like to commend the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for her very strong start in her role, and to note that her good offices role in particular will remain very important into the future. The recent visit of the technical assessment mission led by former Special Envoy Ian Martin was particularly welcome and has provided an especially valuable assessment for the Council. Australia welcomes the ongoing positive developments in Timor-Leste, which are detailed in the report of the Secretary-General (S/2010/85) and to which the Deputy Prime Minister referred this morning. But, as we all know of course, there is still a significant amount of work to be done by the Government and the people of Timor-Leste, assisted by their partners, before we can confidently say the country will be remain stable and secure over the long term. Australia sees the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) as continuing to have a decisive role to play in that and remains committed to strong partnership with the United Nations mission and of course, as a close neighbour and friend, with Timor-Leste and its people themselves. I want to be brief; these efforts by Australia are outlined briefly in my statement as distributed. One area I would like to particularly flag, which needs serious attention — and quickly — is the critical issue of youth unemployment. Disaffected young men in particular remain a potential threat. As the Secretary- General’s report itself notes, finding a place for youth in the country’s economic life, civic institutions and democratic processes is absolutely critical to stability. Much more needs to be done by all of us to help create job opportunities for youth. There have of course been a number of noteworthy developments since the Council last considered the situation in Timor-Leste. Timor-Leste’s recognition of the problems of corruption and lack of capacity in the public sector and the introduction of measures taken to address them are welcome. We note the recent appointment of an Anti-Corruption Commissioner, who will head up the new Anti- Corruption Commission. We have also been pleased to support the Government in its efforts to establish a new Civil Service Commission. In the security sector, we note in particular the further progress in the process of resumption of policing responsibility by the Policia Nacional de Timor-Leste (PNTL). We acknowledge the very natural desire by the Timor-Leste Government that this process be expedited, but we would encourage both the United Nations and the Government to pursue the process within the agreed framework requiring benchmarks to be reached prior to resumption. There is a lot of work to be done if the resumption process is to be completed by the end of the year, including by the Government in ensuing the PNTL has the supporting infrastructure needed to undertake its work. My own Government, as a donor, is very prepared to continue working with the Timor-Leste Government in that process. We also support the assessment mission’s recommendation that there be a reconfiguration within UNMIT to enable deployment of United Nations police with skills directly relevant to their new role, following resumption, as mentors and monitors. For our part, our bilateral Timor-Leste Police Development Program continues to work with its PNTL counterparts to strengthen systems and procedures. Other major developments include the commencement of the force-wide promotions process for PNTL officers, the ongoing consideration by Parliament of draft laws on the national security framework, and additional consultations on the draft national security policy. Work in this latter area is critical to ensuring that there is a clear understanding of the respective roles of the security forces and an established framework for civilian oversight of these institutions. There have also been several security incidents involving PNTL officers that have given some cause for concern, and we encourage the relevant authorities to deal with those issues appropriately and swiftly so as to ensure that community goodwill and trust in the PNTL are strengthened. The Australian-led International Stabilisation Force (ISF) has continued its shift in focus from security support to helping to develop the capacity of the Timor-Leste military. The past few months have seen a reduction in ISF numbers to approximately 540 Australian and New Zealand Defence Force personnel. That reduction, of course, does not mean any reduction in our commitment to supporting Timor-Leste and the United Nations Mission. On the contrary, the ISF restructure allows for an enhanced capacity-building effort while maintaining the ability to respond to security threats and the needs of UNMIT, consistent with the level of security in Timor-Leste. In conclusion, Australia supports the recommendation of the Secretary-General that the UNMIT mandate be renewed for another 12 months, with some modest reductions in staff numbers and some reconfiguration based on the technical assessment mission recommendations.

I express my congratulations to you, Mr. President, and the delegation of France on assuming the presidency of the Security Council for the month of February 2010. We have no doubt that, under your able leadership, the Security Council will continue to deliberate and take action on the most pressing questions regarding the maintenance of international peace and security. Malaysia has always followed with avid interest the progress of its newest neighbour, Timor-Leste. Our involvement with Timor-Leste began on the eve of the country’s independence itself, and Malaysia is proud of the progress that young nation has made in a mere eight years, outstripping many of its peers. It gives me great personal pleasure to welcome back to New York an old colleague who has gone on to greener pastures, His Excellency Mr. José Luis Guterres, Deputy Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste. We thank the Secretary-General for his most recent report, contained in document S/2010/85, on the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT), and Ms. Ameerah Haq, Special Representative of the Secretary-General, for her briefing. In this regard, allow me to congratulate Ms. Haq on her recent and well-deserved appointment to the post. The 9 October 2009 elections at the level of local authorities were yet another milestone on Timor- Leste’s path towards nation-building. Given the encouraging signs thus far, Malaysia has every confidence that future elections at every level will be ably handled in a fair and transparent manner by Timor-Leste. The encouraging security situation augurs well for the ongoing work on the resumption of policing responsibilities by the National Police of Timor-Leste (PNTL) through a phased approach. As recognized in the report of the Secretary-General of last year on this matter (S/2009/504), there is a need to ensure the PNTL’s ability to meet the criteria mutually agreed by the Government of Timor-Leste and UNMIT. UNMIT, in turn, must remain committed to the principle of national ownership, in particular with regard to the comprehensive review of the security sector, and an agreement between the two parties must be finalized if things are to progress in due course. Malaysia believes that adherence to the rule of law is crucial to ensuring the respect of the people for their own security forces. Accountability for criminal acts must not only be seen to be paramount, but must also be so, as it is the cornerstone of trust in the system. Malaysia takes heart from the continued commitment of the Government of Timor-Leste to ensuring the accountability of its security forces through the mechanisms introduced. Stability and prosperity are two sides of the same coin; one cannot be sustained without the other. If poverty is left unchecked, it will sooner or later erode the foundations of stability in a country. This is why Malaysia welcomes the move of the Government of Timor-Leste to address the high rates of unemployment and poverty among the Timorese population, in particular its efforts to finalize the National Strategic Development Plan. Malaysia also lauds the closing of all the camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs), and welcomes the establishment of the Peacebuilding and Social Cohesion Department in Timor-Leste. We hope that the Department will realize its full potential and live up to the promises inherent in its creation. While the dispersal and resettlement of IDPs represent welcome progress, alongside resettlement there must also be efforts to ensure that former IDPs have the means to sustain livelihoods in their areas of origin. We understand that the resettlement of IDPs is more than just a physical process; it also involves financial considerations. IDPs resettled in areas where they used to reside need to come to terms with the loss of their former property. Over and above that, communal life must also be taken into account, since IDPs are often resettled into communities. Thus, the acceptance of the local community is imperative. Malaysia recognizes that the Government of Timor- Leste is cognizant of these problems, and hopes that solutions will soon be found to overcome the matter. In an effort to assist the people of Timor-Leste in these economically challenging times, Malaysia would urge the international community to explore ways to invest in Timor-Leste with a view to creating employment opportunities for the people. In this regard, Malaysia undertakes to encourage its own businessmen to consider Timor-Leste as a viable business partner. As part of its commitment to Timor-Leste, Malaysia reaffirms its continued support for and cooperation with the country, both at the multilateral level, through UNMIT and the United Nations police, and at the bilateral level, through the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme. As the fourth largest contributor of police personnel in Timor-Leste, Malaysia is proud to be part of the nation-building process of its neighbour. The Secretary-General finds that the security and justice institutions in Timor-Leste remain fragile, and that there is the distinct possibility that they would be unable to withstand another major crisis of the magnitude of that of 2006. With this in mind, Malaysia is of the view that Timor-Leste still requires the robust presence of UNMIT. Malaysia supports the extension of the mandate of UNMIT for a further year, to be reviewed on a yearly basis. UNMIT continues to be relevant in its work promoting cooperation among all parties in Timor-Leste to engage in political dialogue for the rebuilding and development of the country. For its part, Malaysia will continue with its effort to provide training to Timorese security personnel. In addition to training for the Defence Forces of Timor- Leste under the Malaysian Defence Cooperation Programme, Malaysia, together with Australia, is in the process of organizing a peacekeeping training workshop for Timorese security personnel to take place in the later part of this year. Malaysia reaffirms its commitment to the peace and stability of the region as a whole, of which Timor- Leste is undoubtedly an integral part. We are confident that the strong political commitment of the people and Government of Timor-Leste, together with the support of the international community, will only help the country rebuild and prosper that much more quickly.

Even now, as the month is winding down, we are pleased to congratulate you, Mr. President, on assuming the presidency of the Council for the month of February. We have noted with appreciation your leadership and the role that you continue to play. I thank you for allowing my delegation to participate in this debate and to share our views on the situation in Timor-Leste. South Africa is particularly pleased at the participation of His Excellency Deputy Prime Minister Guterres in this meeting. We join others in welcoming Ms. Ameerah Haq to the Security Council, and we wish to offer our cooperation in working closely with her. We thank the Secretary-General for his report on the situation in Timor-Leste (S/2010/85), and especially for his inclusion of the comprehensive report of the technical assessment mission to Timor-Leste, led by Mr. Ian Martin. South Africa remains satisfied with the steady but certain progress that Timor-Leste is making in developing and strengthening the democratic institutions and processes in that country. We salute the efforts of the Government, the political parties and the people of Timor-Leste towards enhancing stability and making peace sustainable. In that regard, we welcome the successful holding of village or suco elections as another step forward in the process of building the Timorese State. The high voter turnout and the capacity illustrated by the Timorese authorities to organize and oversee those elections are indicative of the high level of commitment of the people of Timor-Leste to restoring normalcy and building democracy. South Africa also welcomes the commitments of President Ramos-Horta, Prime Minister Gusmão and Mr. Alkatiri, made during their meeting in January 2010, to continuing discussions on issues of national interest. Continued political dialogue is essential to stability and strong democratic institutions in any society. We will continue to support all efforts aimed at fostering dialogue and reconciliation in Timor-Leste. My delegation also welcomes the continued improvement in the security situation in Timor-Leste. We support the extension of the mandate of the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste for another 12 months, as well as the gradual process of the drawdown and reconfiguration of the Mission. We agree with other speakers that the resumption of primary policing responsibilities by the National Police of Timor-Leste (PNTL) is a crucial next step in strengthening the country’s own security institutions. It is important for the United Nations and the international community to continue to support Timor- Leste in building a strong, responsible, independent and stable State. We have noted the caution expressed by the Secretary-General and the technical assessment mission with regard to security sector reform, and especially with regard to the PNTL. It is important that the police be projected and accepted in the community as the primary law-enforcement agency. In that regard, it is important that the PNTL’s capacity to implement legislation be addressed through training, capacity- building and the provision of logistical support. South Africa has also noted the progress made with regard to the justice sector and welcomes the independent comprehensive needs assessment undertaken by the Timorese authorities. It is important that the recommendations of that assessment be implemented. Capacity is essential to the achievement of the rule of law in a society, and in that regard we welcome and support all international efforts, including those of the United Nations, to build capacity in Timor- Leste’s justice sector. Nonetheless, no progress will be achievable if the sustainable socio-economic development of the country is not made a priority both by the Timorese Government and by the international community. We have noted with concern the Secretary-General’s assessment that many factors that fuelled the 2006 crisis are still present in society, making it vulnerable to instability. In that regard, South Africa continues to be concerned over the high rate of poverty and unemployment, especially youth unemployment. We reiterate our call on the international community and multilateral partners to align their programmes and support with those of the Government, particularly the National Strategic Development Plan, soon to be released. With regard to vulnerable groups, my delegation is pleased with the progress made with regard to the return to and integration of internally displaced persons in Timor-Leste and the support provided to that country through the Peacebuilding Fund with the aim of ensuring that reintegration is sustainable. We have noted the slow progress on gender equality and the implementation of women’s human rights. In that regard, we encourage the Government of Timor-Leste to continue all its efforts aimed at achieving stability. It is our view that no effort aimed at achieving stability in Timor-Leste can succeed until women take up their rightful place as agents of change in society. Finally, I wish to reiterate South Africa’s commitment to the people of Timor-Leste. As a member of the international core group, with our partners in the international community we will continue to support the efforts of the Government and people of Timor-Leste and the United Nations to consolidate stability in that country.

I now give the floor to the representative of New Zealand.

I, too, thank Deputy Prime Minister José Luis Guterres and Special Representative of the Secretary-General Ameerah Haq for their statements, as well as the Secretary-General for his comprehensive and valuable report on Timor- Leste (S/2010/85). That report outlines the progress made across all areas of the mandate of the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) over the past year and the considerable distance travelled by the Government and people of Timor-Leste since the dark days of the 2006 crisis. It describes a country no longer in a state of crisis, and one that enjoys greater levels of security and stability. It describes the steady progress in developing the capacity of Timor-Leste’s nascent political and bureaucratic institutions, as demonstrated by the smooth conduct of the suco elections in October. It also describes the steps taken to strengthen the rule of law and the process by which primary responsibility for policing has been progressively transferred from UNMIT to the National Police of Timor-Leste (PNTL) since May of last year. In assessing that progress, it is important to recognize just how far Timor-Leste has come in the few short years since its independence, but it is equally important to acknowledge the significant challenges that remain to be faced. Elections scheduled for later this year and for 2012 will test the capacity and the resilience of Timor-Leste’s electoral and security institutions and the progress that has been made in embedding a stable and democratic political culture. We are also well aware of the profound social and economic problems still faced by that young country in terms of lifting its people out of poverty, building an economy that extends beyond oil, and ensuring that its young people have the skills, training and opportunities that they need to take charge of their futures. New Zealand is currently reshaping its $9-million Timor- Leste aid programme to reflect better those key concerns. Timor-Leste’s international guarantors of security, the International Stabilisation Force (ISF) and UNMIT, no longer face the same challenges they faced two or three years ago. Nevertheless, their presence as a deterrent to disorder and as a support for the Government remains vital to maintaining internal security and stability — a fact acknowledged by the Government itself. As a long-term friend of the people and Government of Timor-Leste, New Zealand remains committed to playing its part in that international presence, as it has in every United Nations mission and in both international security operations since the 1999 referendum. Today, New Zealand maintains 150 military personnel — an infantry company — within the ISF and holds the Force Deputy Commander role. It has a 25-strong police deployment within UNMIT, with a particular focus on community policing training for the PNTL. A New Zealand military liaison officer also serves with UNMIT. Bilaterally, too, we are a committed partner, providing both our development assistance programme, which has been particularly active in the areas of education, justice and police support, and a five-person military technical assistance team. Given those challenges, New Zealand supports the Secretary-General’s recommendation for an extension of UNMIT’s existing mandate at currently authorized levels. However, as the Secretary-General’s report also makes clear, it is important to ensure that the size, shape and nature of international assistance evolve in accordance with Timor-Leste’s changing needs. We are entering a phase in which the direct provision of institutional capacity by Timor-Leste’s international partners must increasingly give way to efforts to support its legitimate and understandable desire increasingly to run its own affairs. That transition has been reflected over the past few months in the gradual downsizing of the ISF, in consultation with the Timorese Government, as the situation on the ground has become more stable. The ISF is also increasingly complementing its core security role with assistance in building the capacity of the Timorese armed forces and on related development assistance. That transition can also be seen in Timor-Leste’s evolving needs and expectations with regard to UNMIT, including its police component. The Government has expressed its desire to resume primary responsibility for policing throughout the country as soon as is feasible and its hope to achieve that goal by the end of this year. We welcome the Secretary- General’s commitment to work towards that objective. We also welcome the careful consideration being given as to how it can responsibly be achieved in accordance with the benchmarks for the transfer of policing authority agreed in the 2008 medium-term strategy. To meet those objectives, it will be vital to ensure that UNMIT personnel are equipped with the profile, skills and experience required for the difficult and specialized task of institutional capacity-building. We therefore also welcome the Secretary-General’s determination to ensure that United Nations police are suitably skilled and equipped to effectively implement that aspect of their mandate, including through recruitment of relevant civilian expertise, as appropriate. Equally, we encourage UNMIT and the Government of Timor-Leste to intensify their efforts to ensure that sufficient investments are made in the PNTL to overcome the shortcomings that remain in its logistical and organizational capacities. Such investments must be planned and implemented as a matter of urgency if the handover of policing responsibilities is to be implemented in a smooth, responsible and timely manner. We also share the Secretary-General’s view that, as UNMIT’s role evolves in this manner, its policing component will need to be progressively reconfigured and reduced, while retaining sufficient capacity to assist in dealing with any major security incidents and to carry out its mentoring and capacity-building roles effectively. As those changes are implemented, the need for careful coordination between all of Timor-Leste’s partners in the security sector assumes even greater importance. As one of only two countries that belong to both the ISF and UNMIT, New Zealand is committed to maintaining the close cooperation and coordination that exists between those forces as their respective structures and roles continue to evolve. New Zealand thanks the Security Council for its ongoing support for Timor-Leste, assures Ms. Haq and the UNMIT team of its own support for their efforts and, above all, reiterates its continuing commitment to the people and the Government of Timor-Leste.

I now give the floor to Mr. Pedro Serrano, Acting Head of the European Union delegation to the United Nations. Mr. Serrano: Mr. President, I thank you for giving the floor to the European Union. The candidate countries Croatia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Turkey, the countries of the Stabilization and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia, the European Free Trade Association country Norway, as well as Armenia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine align themselves with this statement. At the outset I join others in greeting the Deputy Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, Mr. José Luís Guterres, and the Special Representative of the Secretary- General, Ms. Ameerah Haq, and thanking them for their important briefings on the progress and remaining challenges in Timor-Leste. The European Union firmly supports the central and coordinating role of the United Nations in Timor- Leste and the overall recommendations of the latest report of the Secretary-General (S/2010/85), which have incorporated the findings of the recent technical assessment mission to the country. The European Union joins the Secretary-General and other speakers today in commending the Government and the people of Timor-Leste for their efforts to achieve long-term stability and ensure sustainable development in all spheres of public life. As the Council is aware, the European Union is a major contributor of assistance to Timor-Leste, with a focus on peace and security, rule of law and democratic governance, as well as long-term economic and social development of the country, including attainment of the Millennium Development Goals. The European Union welcomes recent improvements in the security situation, which has remained relatively stable over the last months. Good progress has been made in addressing the situation of the internally displaced persons (IDPs). The European Union has contributed to that progress through its support to the closure of the Metinaro camp and the reintegration of IDPs. Yet we share the Secretary-General’s assessment that some fragility remains. Therefore, the European Union encourages the Special Representative of the Secretary-General to continue to provide the good offices of the United Nations to foster the promotion of a political culture that favours the bridging of divides, cooperation and reconciliation. The European Union also calls on the Government of Timor-Leste to make further efforts to develop the national security policy. Reforms in the security sector, with strong ownership by the Timorese Government, are key to consolidating peace and stability in the country. The European Union commends the recent process on handing over policing responsibilities that started in May 2009. It urges the parties to continue to uphold the agreed criteria and to complete the certification process so as to allow for a proper handover. The European Union welcomes positive developments in democratic governance, the rule of law and human rights, notably the successful conduct of “suco” elections on 9 October, and the setting up of an Anti-Corruption Commission, including the recent nomination of its Commissioner, as well as efforts to adopt enhanced measures to address the needs of women and the high incidence of gender-based violence. The European Union also underlines the importance of a coordinated approach to the justice sector, taking into account the recommendations of the independent comprehensive needs assessment — the Justice Rapoza Report — and through the implementation of the Timorese Government’s Justice Sector Strategic Plan. Accountability for past human rights violations plays a critical part in building more sustainable peace and cannot be ignored. The European Union welcomes the Parliament’s resolution of 14 December on the work of the commissions on truth and reconciliation. The European Union calls for the expeditious establishment of an institution charged with implementing measures recommended by those commissions that would be credible in the eyes of victims. The European Union already offers support to the national Parliament of Timor-Leste on this matter. A critical challenge will be to ensure the sustainable social and economic development of the country. The European Union is a committed long-term partner for Timor-Leste in this endeavour and, for the period 2007 to 2013, provides assistance amounting to about €200 million. The European Union welcomes efforts to develop a revised national development plan that should enable international partners to align better with Timor-Leste’s development ambitions. In our view, priority should be given to long-term rural development, improving social services, notably health and education, and reducing unemployment. As measures in development and security must go hand in hand, we look forward to an upcoming international dialogue on peace and State-building in Timor-Leste, to be conducted under the umbrella of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. A key issue for Timor-Leste is how to manage the revenue generated by its substantial extractive industries in a sustainable manner while also stimulating non-oil-sector growth. The European Union supports the improved governance in the petroleum sector resulting from Timor-Leste’s strong engagement in the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative. The European Union, in view of its own positive experience with regional integration, supports Timor- Leste’s aspirations to become a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. In conclusion, I would like to reconfirm the European Union’s commitment to assist Timor-Leste in achieving further positive results on the path to stabilization as a basic requirement for sustainable development. In view of the important contributions made by the United Nations, the European Union looks forward to the extension of the mandate of the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste for a further 12 months, as recommended by the Secretary-General.

I now give the floor to the representative of Ireland.

I welcome this opportunity to address the Security Council. I align myself with the statement just made on behalf of the European Union. Ireland enjoys a close relationship with Timor- Leste and its people. We were very active supporters of the quest for self-determination and have remained a strong backer in the years since independence. The report of the Secretary-General before us today (S/2010/85) is convincing in its analysis and clear in its recommendations. It gives full weight to what has been achieved without underestimating or understating the challenges yet to be met. In speaking today, my main focus is on the gender dimension, since cooperation in relation to Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) is one of the key areas of cooperation between Ireland and Timor- Leste. I wish to say just a brief word, however, on the issue of impunity. Addressing the legacy of conflict is a highly sensitive and complex process. We know from our own experience on the island of Ireland just how fraught that process can be. Timor-Leste has taken important steps towards tackling its difficult legacy, but considerable and urgent challenges remain. We note that civil society organizations have expressed their strong concerns in this regard. We commend the Timorese leadership and members of its National Parliament for their renewed attention to this area. It is our hope that the current activity, led by Parliament, will generate a robust and credible institution capable of further contributing to stability and healing. Ireland remains willing to provide appropriate assistance to that process. As I said, the principal aspect I wish to address is the gender dimension. We particularly commend the Secretary-General’s report for the clarity of its gender focus. As well as the overview of gender issues, there are highly relevant comments and statistics in each of the four areas addressed. In the security sector, for example, the report notes that 19 per cent of the National Police personnel is female — a higher proportion than in most countries. The United Nations police contingent, less than 4 per cent female, comes nowhere near matching that proportion. As the report notes, it remains highly desirable to increase the proportion of women officers in the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) police. The section of the report on the rule of law, justice and human rights catalogues the serious and widespread violence against women and children and the gender-specific obstacles that women face in securing access to justice. In the section dealing with socio-economic development, the statistical breakdown by gender is enlightening. For example, access to microfinance is 70 to 80 per cent female, although women often receive little community support for their entrepreneurial activities. The gender issues identified by the report provide the context for the cross-learning initiative on Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) which Ireland has launched together with Liberia and Timor-Leste. Our initiative is designed to draw upon the experiences of those directly affected by conflict in all three locations. The first substantive meeting was held in Belfast in 2009 and the second in Dili in December 2009, and we look forward to our final meeting in Liberia in April. The overarching theme of the Dili meeting was prevention of violence against women in conflict and post-conflict settings. The focus was on sharing experience and identifying specific challenges and achievements. The clear commitment of the Timorese people to the principles of resolution 1325 (2000) is deeply impressive. The variety of experience brought to the conference by the Timorese delegation greatly contributed to its success. Their stories were powerful reminders of the need to operationalize Security Council resolution 1325 (2000). Ireland is committed to further engagement and cooperation with Timor-Leste in relation to Security Council resolution 1325 (2000), and we will continue to sponsor a range of gender-specific initiatives. We hope that today’s debate will help to further underline the Security Council’s attention to gender issues in post-conflict settings.

I now give the floor to the representative of Portugal.

I would like to thank you, Sir, for convening this meeting and for the opportunity given to me to participate in it. As others have, I would like to extend to His Excellency Mr. José Luís Guterres, Deputy Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, a warm welcome and to express our gratitude for his contribution to this debate. Allow me as well to thank the new Special Representative of the Secretary- General, Ms. Ameerah Haq, for her very useful briefing. Portugal naturally concurs with the statement delivered by the delegation of the European Union, but I would like to underline some aspects. We praise the encouraging achievements in Timor-Leste over the past year. The continuing stable security environment is a credit to Timor-Leste’s determination to long-term peace, stability and development. Nevertheless, important challenges still have to be met that are well reflected in the Secretary-General’s report (S/2010/85) and were highlighted in the Special Representative’s briefing. National dialogue is central to addressing those issues, as it is to ensure unity of efforts, if not broad consensus, in matters of national concern. Portugal is encouraged by the efforts of the Timorese leadership, including the leader of the opposition, to engage in discussions on issues of national interest, and encourages pursuit of this constructive political dialogue as an essential tool to meet these challenges. Along with others, Portugal considers that long- term security and stability will depend on the capacity of the Timorese security institutions to function in an effective, responsible and accountable way, with due respect for the rule of law and benefiting from public confidence and support. We fully share the views and recommendations expressed by the technical assessment mission. Further efforts are needed to ensure clear articulation of strategies within and across State institutions. A clear vision of the relationship between the Defence Forces of Timor-Leste and the National Police, as well as of their respective roles and tasks, is crucial. Also, we share the view that additional steps should be taken to facilitate the closest possible coordination of the international community’s support, including that of bilateral partners, in this context. Portugal encourages the Government of Timor- Leste to continue working with the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) on the resumption of police executive responsibilities. We note that the enduring challenges facing the police in Timor-Leste should not be underestimated. The resumption of responsibilities by the National Police is only one step, albeit an important one, but it also marks the beginning of a new phase to which the full commitment of the Government and the support of the international community will prove essential. Reconfiguring and continuing to reorient the UNMIT police component to meet, as far as possible, the post-resumption challenges will not be easy. It will require high priority to be given — not only by UNMIT and the Secretariat, but also and most importantly by police-contributing countries — to deploying officers with the required profiles and skills to perform the crucial role of advising, monitoring and reporting from all districts, while at the same time remaining available to provide assistance and operational support. As one leading cooperation partner in the justice sector, we also recognize the importance of a coordinated approach to justice sector reform in order to increase Timorese ownership and strengthen the national institutions in this sector, in line with the recommendations of the independent comprehensive needs assessment coordinated by Judge Rapoza. Strong economic and social development is also essential to consolidating peace and stability. Thus, another critical challenge in the near future will be to build a sustainable economy that is nurtured by a culture of democratic and transparent governance that creates jobs and helps to fulfil the basic social functions of the State. We commend the measures taken by the Timorese Government in this respect, and we appeal to the international community to increase its economic cooperation with Timor-Leste, including investment. We are keenly aware that a number of fundamental issues will require sustained, long-term attention well beyond the date of 2012. The people of Timor-Leste have repeatedly shown their resolve to build a peaceful, democratic and stable society. However the consolidation of those goals requires continued support from the international community. It is important that the people of Timor-Leste rest assured that they do not and will not stand alone in pursuing these endeavours. UNMIT continues to play a critical role in assisting Timor-Leste, and we fully support a decision of the Council to extend its mandate for an additional period of 12 months. Portugal remains fully engaged in supporting Timor-Leste in its efforts to consolidate democracy and development, as a member of the Community of Portuguese-speaking Countries and of the European Union, and as a major bilateral partner in a wide spectrum of areas, including governance and public administration, justice, education and security sector reform, and by contributing over 200 police officers and military liaison officers to UNMIT, and fully supporting all areas under the responsibility of the Mission. Let me conclude by saying that we are convinced that Timor-Leste will succeed in its endeavours. But for that to happen, the international community must provide the necessary political support and appropriate resources. To that end, we encourage and support Ameerah Haq and the entire team of the United Nations Integrated Mission in carrying out their invaluable work. We wish to thank the Security Council for its constant support of Timor-Leste.

Does Mr. Gutteres wish to say a few words at the end of the debate? No? Ms. Haq? I give you the floor. Ms. Haq: I would just like to take this opportunity to thank all the speakers here for their supportive and encouraging statements about the good work done by the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT). I also take this opportunity to thank Deputy Prime Minister José Luís Guterres for his kind remarks. I want to express my appreciation to everyone who has clearly supported an extension of the mandate of UNMIT for a period of 12 months, and those who have expressed agreement with the Secretary-General’s views that any major restructuring of UNMIT at this stage would be premature and that the United Nations should maintain the integrated support provided through the Mission in all the major areas of its mandate. Many speakers have highlighted that the four objectives of UNMIT’s medium-term strategy and their related benchmarks remain critical to addressing the challenges that gave rise to the mandate and to providing a solid foundation for achieving sustainable stability. A number of speakers raised concerns about the resumption of responsibilities by the Policia Nacional de Timor-Leste (PNTL). I would just like to say that the Mission’s leadership has openly and constructively raised issues with the authorities of Timor-Leste and will continue to do so. We are confident that we will continue to address them together. In that context, while we know that we all aim towards the goal of completing resumption by the end of 2010, I want to reassure the Council that that is not a deadline but a goal. Also in that context, the support expressed by everyone with regard to the institutional development of the PNTL — including ensuring that we get the required technical expertise for a sufficient number of trainers — is something that we will take on board very seriously. Issues were also raised concerning the delineation of the roles and responsibilities of the PNTL and the Falintil-Forças de Defesa de Timor- Leste. Many speakers also raised issues about impunity and accountability for past crimes. We heard very clearly from the Deputy Prime Minister about the Government’s position on that. Lastly, many speakers highlighted the need to ensure that socio-economic development and policies provide for the employment of the growing number of young people in the population. I would like to assure all members of the Council that we will continue our good offices with the Government and with all other relevant stakeholders. We will also continue to coordinate with international partners as we pursue the Mission’s mandate to address the priority areas. I would once again like to thank all the members of the Council and all the speakers for their support and guidance this morning.

I thank Ms. Haq for her statement. There are no further speakers inscribed on my list. The Security Council has thus concluded its consideration of the item on its agenda.