S/PV.6485 Security Council

I thank Ms. Ameerah Haq for her briefing. I now give the floor to His Excellency Mr. Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão.

First and foremost, on behalf of the people I represent, please allow me to thank the Security Council and its permanent members, as well as all others who have walked in the Chamber, for the generosity and concern that they have shown in their resolutions on Timor- Leste. After more than five years, I must say that it is a great pleasure to be back here at United Nations Headquarters. I must also recall that in May 2006 then Minister for Foreign Affairs of Timor-Leste Ramos-Horta came before the Council to plead for the support that our people needed, at a time when intolerance trumped constructive dialogue, so that we might find proper solutions. My presence here today follows that SOS we sent out five years ago. I am also pleased to be accompanied by Special Representative of the Secretary-General Ameerah Haq. It is thanks to her commitment and dedicated leadership of the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) that the relationship between Timor-Leste and the United Nations remains as strong as ever. I am also honour-bound to thank my good friend Mr. Atul Khare for everything he did, in very trying circumstances, both for the Timorese and for the Mission he led. He always showed great responsibility and care in his work, as well as great understanding and cooperation, so that together we could achieve our duty of restoring confidence in the Timorese society. Since UNMIT’s establishment, in 2006, both President Ramos-Horta and Vice-Prime Minister José Luís Guterres, as well as Mr. Atul Khare and Ms. Ameerah Haq, have reported to the Security Council on the progress achieved in Timor-Leste. I would like to highlight a few of the steps we have taken since the five-party coalition Government I lead entered office on 8 August 2007. For the first two years, we focused our efforts on restoring peace and stability and on solving most of the social and political problems created by the 2006 crisis, which continued up to 2008. We have been implementing structural reforms with regard to the management of State administration. We are also creating systems and structures to ensure good governance and continuing to provide support for building the capacity of both institutions and justice sector personnel. We are implementing social policies in order to reduce the imbalances in our society, taking into account the physical, moral and psychological damage caused by a war that lasted 24 years. We are nurturing structured policies on education, health and agriculture. And we are promoting a coherent economic policy throughout the country with regard to our nascent national private sector. The restoration of peace and stability in the country was primarily a result of the reforms started in the Policia Nacional de Timor-Leste (PNTL) and the Falintil-Forças de Defesa de Timor-Leste (F-FDTL), which by 2008 finally ended the cycle of friction, overcoming the petty differences that divided both institutions. Since the joint operation in 2008, the PNTL and F-FDTL have been activated here and there to continue the exercise to restore normality in the country, in full compliance with the values of a democratic State under the rule of law. While one of the main factors in the 2006 crisis was the inability of State bodies to manage problems collectively, in February 2008, at a time of extreme gravity and threat against the constitutional order, we saw all State institutions working in a coordinated manner and in close collaboration, thereby meeting all legal and constitutional requirements for overcoming that prolonged crisis. The result was the creation of a political precedent of enormous significance and scope, which shows to the Timorese that there are proper instruments that they can use to save the country from anarchy and disorder. Nevertheless, I must acknowledge the extremely important role played by civil society, including the Church and non-governmental organizations, as well as political parties, youth and, most of all, our people, in this process of consolidating national unity and stability. In 2009, the year that marked the tenth anniversary of the referendum, this enabled the Government to issue a new motto, namely, “Goodbye Conflict, Welcome Development”, which the people embraced with all their hearts. Thus, on 31 December 2010, after the first decade in which the Timorese people were truly free, we bade farewell to the year in a festive atmosphere, knowing that we were on our way to becoming a friendly and — most of all — tolerant and, of course, peaceful society. It was against that backdrop that fireworks displays were held in Dili to greet the 2011-2020 decade, during which we will be strengthening those values and launching a bolder development period. I did not come here to praise the progress made by my Government in an effort to correct some reports on Timor-Leste that tend to sound more like verdicts. We regret those reports, but we try to understand the respective rationales behind them. I also did not come here to underestimate the difficulties and the challenges that still lie ahead of us. We are aware that we still have many needs as a nation. We are fully aware of the efforts that we will have to make in order to build State and country. Still, we have not been alone in meeting those challenges, for we have benefited from the generosity and support of nations from all over the world. The members of the Council represent that generosity and support, as you represent the countries from throughout the world. We therefore continue to strengthen and gradually expand our ties of solidarity with friendly countries from various continents and with different histories, beliefs and ethnicities. Most of all, we are taking our due place in our region. We are currently formalizing our application for membership in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) during the Indonesian presidency of that regional forum. We believe that having Timor- Leste join ASEAN during the Indonesian presidency will have great symbolism, not only for Timor-Leste and Indonesia but also for all the members of the Association. We are continuing to strengthen our relationship with other friends in the Asia-Pacific region, including China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand. Timor-Leste is also strongly committed to the Community of Portuguese-speaking Countries, which has members around the world. We also have ties of cooperation with India, where dozens of Timorese are studying in the areas of information technology and oil. We are also fortunate to have strong support and assistance from the European Union and its member States. After this important visit to the United States, I will also be travelling to Cuba, where over 700 Timorese are studying medicine, and to Brazil, a country with which we are also cooperating in several areas. Timor-Leste is truly committed to engaging in dialogue with several countries so as to enable a critical review of its processes. As a nation, we have received much from the international community. Currently, we hope to be able to reciprocate in a genuine manner and with the same spirit of solidarity by sharing experiences, both sweet and sour, with other fragile countries throughout the world. As such, in April 2010, we had the honour of hosting the International Dialogue on Peacebuilding and Statebuilding, with the participation of the least developed countries of the Group of Seven Plus (g7+), which is currently chaired by Timor-Leste. The general goal of the g7+ is to awaken leaders and peoples so that they may reacquire ownership of their processes over the long term, without losing sight of each country’s characteristics and priorities, and without forgetting to focus on the need for better control over and adjustment to outside help. That would require greater transparency from donors and beneficiaries, which would in turn ensure that external support has a real impact on the development of the countries concerned. The g7+ is enabling fragile and conflict-affected countries to gather together and speak about themselves, to learn from their mutual experiences and to create new opportunities for facing the future with determination and optimism. The g7+ currently has 17 member countries, representing 350 million people from Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and the Pacific. For the third consecutive year, Timor-Leste has been involved in the Bali Democracy Forum, which has been gaining participants every year. Such countries as India, Iran, Bangladesh and others have also chosen to make important contributions to the Forum, which shows that the world wants to discuss the subject of democracy. I would like to convey my respect and admiration for my friend Mr. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, the President of the Republic of Indonesia. Under his leadership, the largest Muslim country in the world is taking steady steps towards consolidating democracy and has managed to bring together, in Bali, representatives of various Governments to discuss the values of peace, non-violence and tolerance, and particularly the connection between democracy and development. Today, we are witnessing an inevitable movement by societies and peoples who demand freedom of expression and fundamental rights. In the context of current events, the g7+ and the Bali Democracy Forum, people are becoming aware that they must be sovereign in terms of the decisions that concern them, rather than remaining subject to the imposition of the programmes of others and, worse still, to interests that are not their own. While we Timorese fought alone for 24 years, we never lost sight of what was going on in the world. The objective awareness that the world was changing, both in our region and others, was something that nurtured our aspirations to be free, even in extreme situations. And the world continues to change, fortunately. Against that backdrop, the most important thing is that people are the masters of their own fate. Changing topics now, but remaining in this world in which we live, the least developed countries, of which Timor-Leste is one, are concerned by the continuous indecisiveness of the large economies in establishing a new economic order. As time passes, that indecisiveness at best generates anxiety, if not despair. And that is the truth: time goes by, as it has done ever since the first alarms were sounded on climate change, decades ago. Today, all over the world, it is meaningless to talk about preventive measures, since all that can be done is invariably to bury the dead and assess the amount of damage in order to establish funds to alleviate the suffering of people. Thus, countries such as Timor-Leste that yearn for development so as to improve the living conditions of their peoples face one of the worst challenges, namely, uncertainty in view of the adverse effects of the world economic recession and the lack of coherence with regard to measures to save humankind from hunger, disease, poverty and all their consequences. Accustomed to huge challenges during their lengthy struggle for liberation, the people of Timor- Leste are determined to focus on their development. After a thorough review of the needs and challenges, we are drafting the National Strategic Development Plan, which will be submitted to Parliament for approval. We hope to launch it at the next meeting with our development partners, to take place in Dili in July. In macroeconomic terms, the National Strategic Development Plan is based on the following paradigm: production, production capabilities and productive employment opportunities. Only by creating employment can we improve the social and economic situation of our people, since only employment can generate income, and income results in the eradication of poverty. For that, the Timorese State will have to invest boldly in basic infrastructure and human capital development. With the Council’s permission, I will again go back to the reasons that brought me here to New York. On 25 August 2006, in response to a request by the then-Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, the establishment of UNMIT was approved for an initial period of six months, with the possibility of renewal. In December 2006, an additional agreement was signed on the restoration and maintenance of public order. It regulated the relationship between UNMIT and the State of Timor-Leste, transferring leadership of the national and international police to the United Nations police (UNPOL). In parallel, support for the reform, restructuring and rebuilding of the national police of Timor-Leste was also defined. That enabled the registration and certification programme of all PNTL elements to begin, which facilitated the final certification of all members of the police who did not have trials pending for crimes or human rights violations. Meanwhile, the PNTL promotions system was approved, which established a promotions committee to select PNTL officers and recommend them for promotion. The committee was supported by senior police officers from friendly countries, which made possible the creation of an international jury to give the process greater credibility. On 14 May 2009, the transfer of executive responsibility from UNPOL to the PNTL began in the various districts. We expect that process to be complete by 27 March — the date of the PNTL’s eleventh anniversary — with the handing over of the Dili district command and the PNTL general command. From then on, the PNTL will be responsible for conducting, leading and monitoring all police operations in Timor-Leste. I acknowledge the concerns stated in the report of the Secretary-General (S/2011/32) with regard to completing certification of the remaining PNTL elements. Here, I only wish to underline the Government’s commitment to strengthen command and control and to resolutely implement disciplinary procedures so as to ensure the integrity of our police. Next year will be very important in the consolidation of the process of building our young State. It will thus be the year when we will hold presidential and parliamentary elections — the third democratic elections in our country. I am confident that they will take place in an atmosphere of calm, as in 2007, when, despite the recent crisis and a few isolated events, the elections took place in full normality throughout the entire territory. For that, we are ready to continue ensuring the stability of our country. Also to that end, the PNTL will continue to require the assistance of their colleagues at UNPOL, who will undertake only advisory and capacity-building functions in various areas, in accordance with the needs of the Timorese police and the plan already drafted by its general command. That issue should, however, continue to be subject to consultation and coordination with the relevant Timorese authorities. Allow me to recall that, with regard to legislation, training, administration, discipline and operations, it would of course be ideal if the advisers to the PNTL have technical and professional skills in these fields. If possible, we would like to see the advisers already cooperating in these areas to remain until the end of their mandates. Under the leadership of our President of the Republic, at high-level meetings involving UNMIT and the Government we will continue to study the post- UNMIT period, that is, the period after the 2012 elections, when UNPOL may start to withdraw. For the election period — March and April for the presidential elections and June for the parliamentary elections — we seek to draw up a special agreement with UNMIT so as to enable UNPOL to participate jointly with PNTL in the maintenance of public order in our country. In addition, a year in advance, I would like to recall that UNMIT will be requested to provide logistical support to the elections, as it has always done, most recently in the elections for local leaders in 2009. We count on the presence of the international community through international observers, who, we hope, will be present in sufficient numbers to cover the 700 polling stations in order to anticipate any irregularities that may emerge and that we want to avoid. The United Nations has been present since the start of our nation-building . Therefore, I urge it to remain in solidarity with us in fulfilling the dreams of our people, which today are for peace and development. I thank the United Nations, the Security Council and the entire community of nations for their efforts and support for State-building in Timor-Leste. The Timorese people vow to continue to work hard towards peace and stability in our country. Only by doing so can we help the United Nations to provide due assistance to other countries in crisis that have a greater need for aid than Timor-Leste. On behalf of all Timorese, I thank all those men and women who have left their families and their countries to be part of the noble mission to assist in the building of Timor-Leste throughout these five long years. I also thank all Governments that were part of the Council during those years and deliberated on the support to Timor-Leste in a spirit of true friendship and solidarity among peoples and nations. I cannot conclude without congratulating the Governments and peoples of the Sudan for their intelligent embrace of non-violence during the recent referendum process. We know that significant challenges remain in that process. The people of Timor-Leste, who have experienced the devastation of destruction and violence, hope that their Sudanese brothers and sisters, from both the North and South, will continue to engage in dialogue towards a peaceful solution, which is the only way to ensure the integrity and survival of both peoples. The year 2012 will also mark the tenth anniversary of the restoration of our independence and the realization of our sovereignty. I would like to seize this opportunity to invite all those here today to take part in the celebrations, as we did together back on 20 May 2002. In conclusion, I would like to thank His Excellency the Secretary-General for his report and for the recommendation to extend the UNMIT mandate for one more year. In the consolidation phase of the PNTL, the reconfiguration of UNPOL is important. I have every confidence that the PNTL will be well assisted in the process of building institutional and human capacity. (spoke in English) During this time of anguish, it would be remiss of me not to express my sincere and deep sympathy and solidarity with the people and the Government of New Zealand for the second earthquake that has hit Christchurch.

I thank His Excellency Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão for his statement. I shall now give the floor to the members of the Security Council.

Thank you very much, Madame President, for convening this debate on the situation in Timor-Leste. I would like to start by welcoming His Excellency Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão and thanking him for his very comprehensive statement. I would also like to thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Timor-Leste, Ms. Ameerah Haq, for her comprehensive briefing, and the Secretary-General for his report (S/2011/32). We are encouraged by Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão’s statement that the overall situation in Timor- Leste remains calm and stable and the country is well on its way to long-term peace, stability and development. We would like to record our appreciation for all the political parties for their continued and active engagement in the democratic processes. In order to confront the various challenges that Timor- Leste faces, it is crucial for all the political parties, including the Government and the Frente Revolucionária do Timor-Leste Independente opposition to fully cooperate with each other. This is essential for cementing the foundations of nation- building as well as for socio-economic development in the country. We are happy to note that the Policia Nacional de Timor-Leste (PNTL) will very soon assume primary policing responsibilities for the entire country. More importantly, the PNTL has demonstrated its ability to incrementally assume policing responsibilities from the United Nations police without any major difficulty. This is essential for sustained peace and stability and for a successful transition. It is incumbent on the international community and the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor- Leste (UNMIT) to ensure that they remain steadfast in their commitment towards supporting training and capacity-building for the PNTL. We strongly support the efforts of UNMIT to ensure that its police component has the skill sets to support the PNTL in capacity-building as well with their efforts at institutional development. Moving ahead, it is critical that there be a clear delineation of authority and respective fields for the military and police, so that they can effectively discharge their responsibilities under the civilian Government. The presidential and parliamentary elections scheduled in the first half of 2012 will be major milestones in the consolidation of the democratic transition in Timor-Leste. Also, the elections will be a litmus test of the PNTL readiness for the transition, which is scheduled to take place by the end of 2012. The United Nations must provide technical and logistical support for the smooth conduct of these elections in accordance with the priorities of the Government. Towards consolidating the progress made so far, it is important that the international community continue to extend assistance and support to the Government’s strategy for accelerating the infrastructure development and reconstruction of the country. We have noted with satisfaction that economic growth continues to remain robust, and the 2011 State budget has been quadrupled from that of the 2006 budget. India attaches great importance to its relations with Timor-Leste. We have sought to contribute to that country’s development by providing expertise and training in areas of our competence, and where we see complementarities in their application. India has extended its support to the Government of Timor- Leste, including through assistance for the purchase of equipment and materials related to socio-economic development and in the human resources development sector. As UNMIT moves into a critical transition phase prior to its departure and the Government assumes full responsibility for various processes, the United Nations system and agencies present in the field must work in a coherent manner towards addressing the long-term needs of the country in accordance with the priorities set by the Government. We support the recommendation of the Secretary- General for the extension of the UNMIT mandate for a further period of 12 months, with the same composition and current authorized level of personnel while continuing with the gradual decrease of police personnel. The progress made so far gives us hope and confidence that we are moving towards making UNMIT a real success story. We appreciate the efforts by UNMIT, the international community and the bilateral partners in this regard. Last but not least, I would like to express my delegation’s sincere appreciation to Special Representative of the Secretary-General Haq and her team for their dedication and hard work in supporting the Government and people of Timor-Leste.

I thank Prime Minister Gusmão and Ambassador Haq for their briefings on Timor-Leste and the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT). We thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Haq for her dedicated leadership and commitment to solidifying peace in Timor-Leste. The United Nations and the international community as a whole played a critical role in the independence of Timor-Leste, as described with much eloquence by Prime Minister Gusmão. Sustained international support will be crucial to ensuring a peaceful and prosperous future for this young country. Today, I would like to make five brief points that touch on both the progress that Timor-Leste has made and on the challenges that lie ahead. First, the United States is encouraged that the security situation in the country remains stable, to the degree that a further reduction in the force size of the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) is planned for June 2011. We are encouraged by the international community’s continued commitment to the electoral process in Timor-Leste. In that regard, we are eager to learn the results of the needs assessment mission, which will determine the scope and kind of election support needed. The success of the electoral process will indicate a further consolidation of peace and security throughout the country and signal continued progress toward a peaceful and prosperous future. Second, the transfer of primary policing responsibilities from UNMIT to the Timorese national police will be critical to further cementing stability in the country. Efforts to strengthen institutions and build local capacity are essential to the success of the peacekeeping mission. We commend UNMIT, the Policia Nacional de Timor-Leste and bilateral donors for their hard work in this area. We strongly support the efforts of UNMIT to adapt the composition of its personnel to address the changing nature of UNMIT policing in Timor-Leste. UNMIT must ensure that the Mission has the appropriate specialized skills it needs to be successful. That includes ensuring that all 19 additional civilian expert posts within UNMIT’s police component are filled as expeditiously as possible. We are concerned that the Government of Timor- Leste certified 199 police officers despite pending criminal and disciplinary charges. Of those, 52 face serious disciplinary and criminal charges. We strongly urge the Government to pursue justice expeditiously. The accountability of the police force and the discipline process under which it operates are critical for the integrity of the Timorese national police. Third, the development of competent and professional security institutions, both police and military, is critical to the long-term success of Timor- Leste. We commend the progress that has been made in constructing the overarching legislative and policy framework in the security sector. We urge the Government to finalize its national security policy and to work to implement an understanding of the resulting roles and responsibilities throughout the security institutions, specifically within the military and police. The United States is committed to strengthening the Timorese security sector. We have recently increased our bilateral support in this area — for example, through a programme to advance community policing. Fourth, we are encouraged by the concluding conference of the national consensus dialogue on truth, justice and reconciliation. The United States strongly supports those and additional efforts to further the national reconciliation process under clear and predictable legal procedures. Addressing growing concerns about impunity and establishing public trust in the justice sector are important for a stable path forward. Finally, socio-economic development and democratic institutions are critical to the long-term stability and security of Timor-Leste. Sustained engagement of the international community is essential, as is continued engagement with bilateral partners. The United States is committed to assisting Timor-Leste to achieve its long-term goals. We are investing in programmes to promote good governance, improve health and spur economic growth. As we continue to partner with Timor-Leste, we are pleased to note the continued planning undertaken by the Government and UNMIT for an eventual UNMIT departure and a transition to a post-UNMIT presence. The United States welcomes the High-Level Committee on Transition and the establishment of seven working groups. Those bodies are critical in identifying and addressing the challenges on the road ahead. We encourage UNMIT and the Government of Timor-Leste to create a gradual and methodical transition plan. Such planning should include handing over or discontinuing certain United Nations functions, beginning this year, and closing United Nations offices in a staged fashion well in advance of UNMIT’s departure. We further encourage UNMIT and the Government of Timor-Leste to identify the role the United Nations will play after UNMIT’s departure and to work closely with bilateral missions throughout the planning and transition process. We believe that elections should not in themselves be an exit strategy. UNMIT’s transition should be determined by events on the ground. In closing, I would like to thank the peacekeepers of UNMIT, as well as their Timorese partners on the ground, and international supporters for the continued dedication to peace and security in Timor-Leste. Timorese have made great strides towards peace and stability and will continue to do so with the presence and commitment of strong international partners.

We too would like to thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Ms. Ameerah Haq, for presenting the report on the work of the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) (S/2011/32). We welcome the Prime Minister of the country, Mr. Xanana Gusmão, and we listened attentively to his assessments. I can say straight away that Russia is satisfied with the stabilization of the military and political situation in Timor-Leste and with the progress made in key areas of its development. That is undoubtedly due to the country’s leadership and to the United Nations Mission. The political forces in Timor-Leste have been demonstrating a responsible approach and a commitment to the process of national dialogue and reconciliation based on democratic principles. That is especially important in the context of the general elections planned for 2012. The stabilization of the situation has created the necessary preconditions for tackling long-term challenges. The Government has managed to achieve economic growth, a decrease in the poverty level and improvements in human development indicators. We welcome the progress in handing over responsibilities for law enforcement from United Nations peacekeepers to the Timor-Leste police. We trust that process will be concluded shortly. We agree with the Secretary- General’s proposal to refocus the efforts of the United Nations Mission on providing assistance to the national police and strengthening its potential. Given that, while the State authorities are currently being established, the socio-economic problems remain acute, the progress that has been made requires further and stronger assistance from the international community. In that regard we support the recommendation of the Secretary-General to extend the mandate of the Mission for a year. We approve the plan to decrease the police component of the Mission as the situation in the country improves, and in accordance with the wishes of the Government. The Mission should be prepared to provide assistance in conducting the elections. We have taken note of the information on the start of discussions with the leadership of Timor-Leste on the parameters of future work for the United Nations Mission and the modalities for the United Nations presence. In conclusion, I would like to express our gratitude to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and to all the staff of the Mission, which include Russian civilian police officers, for their professional work.

At the outset, we wish to welcome the presence of Prime Minister Gusmão and thank him for his valuable contribution to this debate. Also, we wish to thank the Special Representative, Ms. Haq, for her briefing today and for her commitment in fulfilling the mandate. Bosnia and Herzegovina would like to commend the Timorese people, Government and political parties for their cooperation and responsibility, which largely contributed to the overall progress achieved in all areas during the reporting period. We also welcome the important role that the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) continues to play in support of the efforts of Timor-Leste to advance peace, stability and development. With this in mind, Bosnia and Herzegovina supports UNMIT’s mandate extension for another 12 months. We are pleased to learn that significant progress has been made in many important areas, particularly in strengthening the rule of law and the development of democratic institutions. We would like to recall that the Council had the opportunity to learn about the institution-building experience of Timor-Leste during its open debate on post-conflict peacebuilding: institution-building, organized by Bosnia and Herzegovina last month (see S/PV.6472 and Resumption 1). Strengthening security sector reform is crucial for sustainable peace and security in Timor-Leste. We welcome the resumption by the Policia Nacional de Timor-Leste (PNTL) of primary responsibilities for police operations in two additional districts in September 2010. We strongly encourage the early finalization of this process in all districts and units. To that end, the joint activities of UNMIT and the PNTL in further institutional capacity-building — including improving administrative skills, investigating gender- based violence, countering human trafficking and community policing — are of particular importance. They represent a part of the PNTL strategic development plan for 2011-2012 that should result in its full resumption of primary policing activities. We firmly believe that only truth and justice can lead Timor-Leste towards full reconciliation and prosperity. We therefore welcome the outcome of the concluding conference of the national consensus dialogue on truth, justice and reconciliation, which will certainly further facilitate continued dialogue within Timorese society. Regarding the general elections to be held in 2012, we welcome the expected approval of proposed amendments to the laws on presidential and parliamentary elections and the electoral management bodies. That will consolidate institutional capacities to conduct the upcoming elections with limited international support. In that context, we also support the role envisaged for the United Nations in providing technical and logistical support as requested. The successful organization and conduct of the 2012 elections will be a major test of democratic progress in Timor-Leste. As the Secretary-General stated in his report (S/2011/32), the economy of Timor-Leste has recovered remarkably since the 2006 crisis. However, additional efforts are needed to sustain the envisaged growth by promoting rural development and infrastructure development and the role of the private sector, which should provide more employment opportunities, especially for young people. Finally, we would like to reiterate our full support for the efforts of the people and Government of Timor- Leste to achieve sustainable peace, stability and prosperity in their community.

I wish to thank Ms. Haq, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, for her briefing. I also welcome the presence here of the Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, Mr. Gusmão. Ms. Haq underscored that the situation in Timor remains calm and continues to develop in the right direction. I would like to congratulate Prime Minister Gusmão and, through him, the authorities and the parliamentary opposition in his country, as well as its civil society, all of whom confirm the political maturity and solidity of their young institutions. The economic and social progress we have seen, particularly in poverty reduction, is the consequence of this new stability, to the benefit of the Timorese people. What we see in Timor today is a success story for the United Nations and its ability to accompany a country on the road to peace and stability. However, the country’s recent history should not encourage us to relax our attention or our efforts. From that viewpoint, we are convinced that peace and reconciliation will be achieved in Timor only if its authorities show determination to fight impunity. It is therefore essential that the Timorese State be able to vouch, beyond the shadow of a doubt, for the integrity of its police officers at the moment when they are about to resume all their responsibilities. We expect, therefore, that Timorese justice will continue to prosecute those guilty of committing serious crimes during the events of 2006. Like the Special Representative, we note with concern the decision to certify 199 police officers despite the criminal and disciplinary procedures that are under way, some of them very serious. We hope that we will soon see the prompt completion of the parliamentary deliberations on the laws on reparations, as well as on the follow-on institution to the Commission for Reception, Truth and Reconciliation and the Commission of Truth and Friendship. We trust the Special Representative to lead the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) throughout the period that will encompass the full transfer of powers to the Timorese police, the 2012 elections and the withdrawal of the Mission. The goals, I think, are clear. First, it must ensure that the numbers and qualifications of UNMIT staff correspond to the Mission’s new tasks and to the situation on the ground. Secondly, the Mission must contribute to the success of the 2012 elections, the responsibility for which will belong to the Timorese themselves. Thirdly, UNMIT must prepare for the Mission’s withdrawal after those elections, under the best conditions possible. We hope that the next report of the Secretary- General and the renewal of the Mission’s mandate in February 2012 will afford the opportunity to define — together, of course, with the authorities of Timor-Leste — the kind of presence that the United Nations will maintain there after UNMIT leaves. Its departure will be proof not of lack of interest on the part of the international community, but of the trust we have in this country’s capacity to take charge of its destiny.

South Africa thanks the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Ms. Ameerah Haq, for her briefing to the Council today. We also appreciate the presence in this debate of His Excellency Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste and thank him for his statement. We also thank the Secretary-General for his report (S/2011/32). In just over a decade since independence, Timor- Leste has made significant progress towards long-term stability, peace and development. The Government and people of the country had to start afresh with the creation of peace and stability after decades of struggling for independence. The relative peace in Timor-Leste has facilitated an enabling environment for development goals and the establishment of State- and institution-building. Those efforts should be recognized. The international community, particularly the United Nations, has played a crucial role in partnering with the Timorese in addressing their challenges. The Government of Timor-Leste should be commended for its continuation of national dialogue and unity, consolidation and building of sustainable peace, and respect for constitutional principles and the democratic rule of law. Those processes will benefit significantly from the Government’s continued efforts to foster dialogue and reconciliation through the hosting of the national consensus conference involving a spectrum of national actors, both from the Government and from civil society, and through the seminars organized by the Anti-Corruption Commission. These are indispensable and important indications of serious efforts by the Government of Timor-Leste to address the difficult issues of justice, corruption and reconciliation. Those efforts on the Government’s part bode well for the consolidation of democracy and are indicative of the people’s aspirations for a prosperous future. South Africa firmly believes that the stable security situation in Timor-Leste has laid a solid foundation for its economic development. Its continued peace and stability has translated into remarkable progress, and the 2010 Human Development Report ranked Timor-Leste 120th of 169 countries, signalling a remarkable improvement since 2005. My delegation also noted with great satisfaction that Timor-Leste is now ranked among the 20 fastest-growing economies in the world. We further acknowledge the important progress achieved by the Timor-Leste national police force in resuming its primary policing responsibilities. The Government of Timor-Leste continues to make progress in developing an overarching legislative and policy framework for the security sector, and we also appreciate the progress made in meeting the objectives of the medium-term strategy in the areas of the rule of law, justice and human rights. South Africa commends the Government of Timor-Leste for introducing social welfare packages for the aged and the vulnerable and the legislation passed to establish social pensions for combatants, as well as labour-intensive infrastructure projects at the community level to inject income into poorer households. Despite the commendable progress achieved, challenges remain, and the Government of Timor-Leste will continue to rely on the support of the international community. One important challenge is the need for continued training and capacity-building for the Policia Nacional de Timor-Leste (PNTL) in the five areas defined by the national authorities: legislation, training, administration, discipline and operations. A further challenge relates to the issue of unemployment, especially among young people, which, as the Secretary-General’s report indicates, has “potential for disillusionment and social unrest”. In that regard, my delegation supports the Secretary- General’s observation that “the challenge now is to achieve inclusive and sustainable growth by promoting rural development, the private sector and employment generation, especially for youth” (S/2011/32), para. 65). Continued efforts to address urban-rural disparities and to support vulnerable groups must also be prioritized. In its efforts to further deepen democracy and stability, Timor-Leste is preparing to hold its national elections in 2012. My delegation welcomes the ongoing work of UNMIT and the United Nations Development Programme to build the capacity of the national institutions to run and administer these elections and to provide them with logistical and technical support. As we support State-building and institution-building in Timor-Leste, we are reminded that these efforts will be sustainable only if grounded on the principle of national ownership and when security and developmental needs are carefully calibrated. With regard to the future of UNMIT’s mandate, my delegation supports the extension of the mandate by 12 months. We encourage careful calibration of a drawdown after the 2012 elections, taking into consideration the conditions on the ground and that the future mandate reflects a priority of the national Government, in particular focusing on its consolidation of the peacebuilding efforts.

Allow me to welcome His Excellency Mr. Xanana Gusmão, Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, to the Security Council and to thank him for his insightful and comprehensive statement. I would also like to thank Ms. Ameerah Haq, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Timor- Leste, for her lucid briefing today in the context of the Secretary-General’s report (S/2011/32). We appreciate her contributions and dedicated service as Head of the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT). I will limit my remarks to three important issues, namely, the political and security situation in Timor- Leste, its economic and development agenda and its judicial and correctional system. The Nigerian delegation welcomes the climate of calm and stability that continues to characterize the overall political and security situation in Timor-Leste, especially since 2008. The prevailing condition undoubtedly manifests the commitment of the Timorese leadership and stakeholders to sustain peace through national dialogue and political inclusiveness. Indeed, the relative calm has also facilitated focused implementation of the Government’s national development plan. In that context we welcome the consultations held in Dili from 27 to 29 December 2010 on the Government’s proposed development plans for 2011, as a firm determination by the Government to promote internal peace and security. The resumption of primary policing responsibilities by the Policia nacional de Timor-Leste (PNTL) is also critical to bolster the country’s peace and stability. We therefore welcome the recent progress recorded in the resumption of primary policing responsibilities by the PNTL in two additional districts and three more units. We fully support the district-by- district process of handing responsibility back to the Timorese police. We expect, however, that the process will be completed within the given timeline, thus paving the way for the PNTL to assume full command and control responsibility for all police operations in Timor-Leste. We want to emphasize that an effective disciplinary mechanism is vital for the creation of a strong, professional and independent PNTL. In that regard, the recent decision of the Government to certify 52 PNTL officers who are facing various disciplinary and criminal charges is of serious concern. The core challenge facing the Government and the country’s judicial authorities is how to safeguard the integrity of the PNTL and ensure that its internal discipline systems are effective. The constructive interaction between the various political parties and major stakeholders in guaranteeing peace, harmony and continuity in governance is commended. In particular, we note the Government’s initiative on roads to peace and national unity, which has helped to foster dialogue and reconciliation among the parties. The prospects for long-term peace, political stability and economic recovery and growth are huge incentives for the parties to approach the 2012 elections with renewed vigour and compromise. We therefore welcome the commencement of the joint transition planning mechanism, especially the fourth meeting of the High-Level Committee on Transition. The recent measures taken by Government to strengthen the capacity and effectiveness of the justice and correctional sectors are commendable. Those measures have clearly enhanced access to justice, reduced pending criminal prosecution cases and improved prison infrastructure. Nonetheless, the challenges of staffing and insufficient budgets are daunting. To underpin the notable progress already achieved in these sectors, the Government should emphasize combating impunity. Steps should also be taken to generate public confidence in the judicial system and ensure respect for the independence of the judiciary. Regarding economic development, Timor-Leste’s social and economic revival is rapidly gaining traction, with improved security and greater confidence in the country’s leaders. We therefore welcome the reduction in poverty and improvements in human development indicators and the prudent use of resources by the Government, including the huge investment in infrastructure. To fully transform the economy, the Government should give priority to rural development and youth employment. There is also an overarching need for the Government to communicate its goals and programmes more clearly to the population. If properly harnessed, investments in the three economic pillars identified by the Government — agriculture, natural resources and tourism — will generate economic growth and accelerate the pace of development in the country. Finally, we wish to express our appreciation to UNMIT and the United Nations country team for the important roles they have played in promoting peace, stability and development in Timor-Leste. We call on donors and development partners to provide long-term, predictable support that will strengthen the Government as it faces the onerous challenges of achieving lasting peace and security in the country. We commend the United Nations capacity-building and technical assistance support for Timor-Leste, rendered through UNMIT and the United Nations Development Programme. The establishment of the National Defence Institute is a laudable demonstration of this commitment. Nigeria shares the Secretary-General’s view that UNMIT’s police presence will be vital to support the PNTL in capacity-building, skill enhancement and specific advisory functions in all districts and units of Timor-Leste throughout 2012. UNMIT police will also provide operational support to the PNTL in the event of extreme circumstances, if so required and requested, during the period of elections in 2012. Given the critical roles to be played by UNMIT, Nigeria supports the extension of its mandate for another year.

I wish to express our thanks to Prime Minister Gusmão and to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Ameerah Haq, for their briefings today and to all the personnel of the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) for their dedication to assisting the people of Timor-Leste. The next two years will determine the prospects for a stable and peaceful future for Timor-Leste and its people. The elections in mid-2012 remain the most significant milestone ahead. As Timor-Leste works towards those elections, we are pleased that the security situation continues calm and that there has been clear and steady improvement since 2006. The men and women of UNMIT deserve credit for their role in ensuring the stabilization of Timor- Leste. Their work is now bearing fruit as the Government increasingly assumes responsibility for domestic security. We are particularly encouraged by the imminent handover of all policing districts to the national police forces — the PNTL — and the fact that this transition is being accomplished without any increase in crime or disorder. The successful handover to the PNTL marks a step towards the end of the United Nations peacekeeping role. We do not envisage that the Security Council will need to extend UNMIT’s peacekeeping mandate beyond February 2013. As we prepare for UNMIT’s departure in two years’ time, it is right that the United Nations police (UNPOL) should begin its drawdown now. We note the small drawdown of UNPOL personnel recently recommended by the Secretary-General. We expect to see this rapidly accelerated after the election in 2012. The drawdown should be regarded as a display of trust in the PNTL’s ability to re-establish itself as the primary provider of security in Timor-Leste. The Government of Timor-Leste can play an important role by ensuring that its police are sufficiently equipped with important enablers such as generators, communications facilities and office equipment to enable the PNTL to reach its full potential. The Government of Timor-Leste should also ensure — as some of my colleagues have highlighted — that the integrity of the PNTL is not compromised. The words of Prime Minister Gusmão this morning on this subject were encouraging. But we are concerned at the news that 52 serving PNTL officers who face serious criminal charges have been certified. We call on the Government of Timor-Leste to give priority to resolving this unsatisfactory situation. The Government should also continue to take a firm stance against impunity and to bring perpetrators of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide to justice. It is important that work on legislation providing for follow-up to the Commission for Reception, Truth and Reconciliation make real progress alongside work on reparations for victims of past abuses. It is imperative that the United Nations now prioritize planning for its post-2012 presence. UNMIT must plan a coherent, realistic and durable exit strategy, enabling civilian peacebuilding actors to take the lead in helping shape Timor-Leste’s future. We look forward to receiving a detailed update on this planning in the Secretary-General’s report later this year. At the same time, the wider United Nations family must work towards addressing the longer-term needs of the county, in close collaboration with the Government of Timor-Leste. We stress the importance of the High-Level Committee on Transition in this regard. United Nations involvement in Timor-Leste has the potential to be a beacon of success, modelling how peacekeeping operations can be drawn down as civilian peacebuilders continue their vital work. The United Kingdom encourages the United Nations to seize this opportunity.

Allow me to welcome the presence here today of His Excellency Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, Prime Minister of Timor-Leste. Xanana Gusmão has long represented the struggle of Timor-Leste for self-determination and independence. He is a man who has shown unrelenting courage and determination in face of the most tremendous odds, who has led his young country, first as President of the Republic and today as Prime Minister. In welcoming Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão, I also welcome the leader of a sister nation, a member of the Community of Portuguese-speaking Countries (CPLP), a Community united by indelible links. It is indeed symbolic that today, both Timor- Leste and Portugal are sitting at this table in a meeting chaired by Brazil. Welcome, Prime Minister — your words inspire our trust in the future of Timor-Leste. (spoke in English) I also wish to thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for her very comprehensive briefing and to assure her once again of Portugal’s full support for the work of the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT). Today, Timor-Leste is at a very special juncture. In roughly one year’s time, ten years after her independence, very important elections will be held, thus respecting once again the democratic path that the Timorese people have charted for themselves. Next year, the Security Council, acting on the advice of the authorities of Timor-Leste and the High- Level Committee on Transition, will be working on ways in which the United Nations will continue to contribute to the consolidation of democratic institutions, of the rule of law and of economic and social development in the country upon the conclusion of UNMIT’s mandate. But we will have the opportunity to discuss those issues at the appropriate time; today, I wish to underline the encouraging achievements that took place in 2010 in several areas, despite the enduring problems still facing the country. Parallel to the further development of democratic institutions, democratic culture and practices are consolidating their imprint in Timorese society. Political dialogue on matters of national concerns has been reinforced, and we are encouraged by the active involvement of the Timorese leadership, including the opposition, in that process. We believe that strengthening the forums for open and democratic discussions of national issues is the best way to find solutions for them and to reinforce national cohesion in facing difficult challenges. In the economic field, growth has been fast, and the recently approved budget may represent a useful tool for the diversification of the economy, the development of much-needed infrastructure and the creation of jobs, while ensuring a better distribution of wealth and increasing opportunities, especially for young people. The judicial system has also improved its capacities, including in rural areas, and has strengthened its independence. Training of judicial officials and prison officers has continued. The protection of human rights, including in terms of gender issues, is progressing. As a leading cooperation partner in the justice sector, Portugal recognizes the importance of a coordinated approach to justice system reform, in order to increase Timorese ownership in strengthening national institutions. I wish to commend UNMIT for the very important contribution it has made to the progress I have outlined. Timor-Leste is indeed an example of a United Nations contribution to peacebuilding that has succeeded well, and we are confident that the current peaceful situation will endure during and beyond 2012. Notwithstanding these very important positive developments, Timor-Leste is still confronted with serious challenges. There is still much to be done to strengthen the State institutions in order for them to fully discharge their responsibilities. Likewise, accomplishing security sector reform, developing the capacities of the civil society, ensuring full respect for the rule of law and further promoting human rights are still priority tasks on the path towards a consolidated and stable democracy in Timor-Leste. Like others, we believe that long-term stability and security will depend on the capacity of Timorese security institutions to function in an effective, responsible and accountable way, fully respecting the rule of law and benefiting from public trust and support. A clear articulation of strategies within and across State institutions is indispensable on these issues. One issue that has been a matter of concern for members of the Council is the certification of officers of the Policia Nacional de Timor-Leste (PNTL) facing serious criminal and disciplinary charges. We took note of the Prime Minister’s encouraging comments on the matter, and we trust that due and speedy process will be observed, leading to the reinforcement of the credibility, professionalism, impartiality and effectiveness of the PNTL. Portugal encourages the Government of Timor-Leste to continue working closely with UNMIT on all issues concerning the PNTL, specifically the five priority areas highlighted by the Special Representative and with the continued support of the United Nations police. The people of Timor-Leste have repeatedly shown their resolve to build a peaceful, democratic and stable society. These goals require the continued support of the international community, and it is important that the Timorese rest assured that they are not and will not be alone in pursuing these objectives. UNMIT continues to play a crucial role in this context, and we fully support the extension of its mandate for an additional period of 12 months. UNMIT’s role before, during and after next year’s elections will be fundamental to help the Timorese authorities ensure a stable and secure environment for the elections and their outcome. Portugal remains fully committed to supporting Timor-Leste in its efforts to consolidate democracy and development, both bilaterally and as a member of the European Union and the CPLP. Our cooperation with Timor-Leste covers a very wide spectrum of areas, including governance, public administration, justice, education and security sector reform, and fully supports all areas under the responsibility of UNMIT. We are particularly happy that, in the near future, we will be welcoming Timorese officers in the framework of Portuguese contingents in peacekeeping operations. That highlights the degree of maturity and professionalism reached by the Falintil-Forças Armadas de Defesa de Timor-Leste (F-FDTL). We are convinced that Timor-Leste will succeed in its endeavours, but in order for the country to reach its objective, the international community must carry on providing the necessary political support and appropriate resources, thereby living up to its responsibilities and commitments to democracy and stability in Timor-Leste.

I too would like to thank the Ms. Ameerah Haq, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Timor-Leste, for her detailed presentation on the report of the Secretary-General (S/2011/32) on the activities of the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT). I would like to take this opportunity to recognize His Excellency Mr. Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of Timor-Leste, and thank him for his important statement. In my statement, I will focus mainly on the progress made in the construction process in Timor- Leste, the remaining challenges and the outlook for the future. With regard to progress, the report under consideration takes stock of, among other things, the advances made in the security and justice sectors. There have been encouraging developments in the economic sector. With regard to security, my delegation is pleased that the overall situation remained calm and that in many areas and districts the Timorese State, in particular the national police, is reassuming its prerogatives and its State functions of maintaining public order. We further note the continuing coordination and cooperation between the international security forces and Timorese forces. Indeed, the civilian police component of UNMIT has continued its efforts to strengthen the capacity of the Timorese police and to foster institutional development through logistical support, targeted training, administrative skills development, ongoing inquiries into cases of sexual violence, combating human trafficking and through community policing. We can only welcome this. We further commend UNMIT for its efforts to train Timorese national civilian police officers so as to enable them to serve in United Nations peacekeeping missions. Gabon has always advocated building the capacity of Member States for peacekeeping. We remain convinced that the development plan for the police for 2010-2012, intended to strengthen the operational capacity of the national police, provides a unique framework for cooperation between the police and UNMIT. With regard to the justice system, my delegation welcomes the support provided by UNMIT, the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Population Fund and the United Nations Development Fund for Women to strengthen the Timorese judicial apparatus, in particular through staff training programmes and the development of the legislative framework. They are also providing assistance in conducting some of the more complex inquiries, such as those involving the serious crimes committed in 1999. The increased number of cases prepared for judgment and the extension of justice administration to rural areas are also satisfying developments. Regarding the economic sector, we welcome the progress made in achieving the 2010 national priorities targets in the framework of the international compact for Timor-Leste. In spite of the serious food crisis, which unfortunately does not exclude any developing country, we should be pleased that the State has provided food assistance to the most vulnerable persons. We also welcome the progress made towards the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, particularly in terms of the infant mortality rate, which decreased from 83 to 64 deaths per 1,000 live births. My delegation shares the Secretary-General’s satisfaction with the remarkable recovery of the economy of Timor-Leste, which posted a growth rate of close to 10 per cent, with a reduction in poverty and an improvement in human development indicators. We hope that the revenues generated by hydrocarbons, which enabled the progress, will continue to benefit from good governance, in order to stay the course of growth and to attain sustainable and comprehensive development in the country. Regarding the challenges, we must continue to fight impunity and corruption, which are sources of potential conflict. Responsibly addressing those issues will undeniably help not only to build public trust in institutions but also to preserve the gains made in national reconciliation, in reinforcing the rule of law and, by extension, stability and durable peace in Timor-Leste. Similarly, the presidential and parliamentary elections to be held in 2012 will test the entire peace process in Timor-Leste. My delegation believes that the outlook for peace and development in Timor-Leste remains reassuring. The Government and its various bilateral and multilateral partners seem to be solidly committed to establishing peace and building the economy. The country’s assets in terms of development are not insignificant, either. We must therefore continue to encourage the Timorese people to derive maximum benefit from the support of the international community and from the revenue generated by the oil sector to establish national unity and build a prosperous nation. To contribute to the achievement of those objectives, my delegation supports the Secretary- General’s recommendation to extend the mandate of UNMIT for an additional 12 months. My country once again congratulates the Government and the people of Timor-Leste for their laudable efforts for peace and stability in their country. I reiterate my delegation’s firm support for the remarkable work of UNMIT. I commend the leadership of Ms. Ameerah Haq and the professionalism that she and her staff have shown on the ground. They can count on my delegation’s ongoing support.

I wish to thank Ms. Ameerah Haq, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Timor- Leste, for her briefing. I also welcome the Prime Minister of Timor-Leste and his participation in today’s meeting. I have listened carefully to his statement. We take pleasure in seeing that the overall situation in Timor-Leste remains stable. The State capacity has gradually strengthened. There are significant opportunities for economic and social development. The national police of Timor-Leste are playing an increasingly important role in maintaining public order. The Government and people of Timor- Leste have made inspiring progress in the construction of their country. I also commend the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) for their efforts to that end. At the same time, however, Timor-Leste still faces many challenges on the road to consolidating peace, maintaining peace and stability and achieving sustainable development. China is of the view that the international community should now focus its support to Timor-Leste in the following three areas. First, we encourage all parties in Timor-Leste to base their actions on the country’s long-term interest, to maintain unity and settle their differences through political dialogue. We commend President Ramos- Horta for continuing to promote the national consensus dialogue. We hope that the presidential and parliamentary elections to be held next year will proceed smoothly. Secondly, China welcomes the strategic development plan proposed by the Government of Timor-Leste. Poverty, lack of economic development, insufficient institutional capacity, youth unemployment and the shortage of human resources are the major factors affecting peacebuilding and social stability in Timor-Leste. We support the Government in its efforts to continue to strengthen institutional capacity- building, focus its energy on development, expand its input in infrastructure, education and health and further improve the lives of its people. Thirdly, ultimately achieving lasting security and stability in Timor-Leste depends on the strength of the people and Government of Timor-Leste. China supports Timor-Leste in strengthening capacity- building in the police and judicial sectors, with the assistance of the United Nations and relevant countries, and in taking over full responsibility for the maintenance of public order at an early date. We support the extension of UNMIT for one year on the basis of the current mandate. We have taken note of the plan for the future restructuring and downsizing of UNMIT mentioned in the Secretary- General’s report (S/2011/32). We support the full transfer of responsibilities to the Government of Timor-Leste when conditions are right. Meanwhile, the plan to downsize should fully take into account next year’s elections and, under the prerequisite of maintaining security and stability, ensure a smooth transition. The international community should continue to provide further assistance to Timor-Leste in order to consolidate peace and promote development. Once UNMIT’s mandate expires, on the basis of respect for the will of the people and Government of Timor-Leste, the United Nations can remain in Timor- Leste as a friendly partner. China is ready to continue to provide as much support and assistance to Timor- Leste as we can.

Colombia would like to thank Prime Minister of Timor-Leste Xanana Gusmão for his important contribution to our debate today. We would also like to commend the work of Special Representative of the Secretary-General Ameerah Haq and Mr. Finn Reske- Nielsen, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Governance Support, Development and Humanitarian Coordination, as well as that of the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Security Sector Support and Rule of Law. As a non-permanent member of the Council in September 2002, Colombia participated in the discussions that led to the establishment of this new State and its entry into the United Nations. My delegation therefore notes with particular satisfaction the ongoing developments towards quickly consolidating peace, development and stability in Timor-Leste. We agree on the importance of continuing efforts to promote national unity and dialogue through cooperation with the various political, national and regional forces, including civil society, the Catholic Church, the United Nations and other stakeholders in Timor-Leste. We are pleased to see that bilateral relations with Indonesia remain strong. The Bali meeting in December is proof of that, in particular the commitment shown by Indonesia to help Timor-Leste in its plan to become a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. We emphasize the outcomes of the concluding conference of the national consensus dialogue on truth, justice and reconciliation, in particular with regard to reparations for victims of human rights violations committed between 1974 and 1999, and to the serious crimes committed in 1999. As President Ramos-Horta has said, it is necessary to find a balance between punitive and restorative elements. We would like to highlight the progress made in the area of security, in particular in those districts in which the national police have resumed their functions. In that regard, we share the concern of the Special Representative about the certification of the 52 officers accused of committing serious crimes. While that procedure was based on the review and recommendations of the new certification scheme established by the Government, we believe that a more thorough review to prevent impunity is necessary. We view the fact that domestic violence has been defined as a public order offence under the criminal code as an important step forward in judicial reform. However, we are struck by the continued use of traditional mechanisms that are not consistent with international human rights. We call for the full implementation of existing standards. We encourage initiatives developed in that regard by the Secretary of State for the Promotion of Equality, with the support of the United Nations Population Fund and the United Nations Development Fund for Women. The report of the Secretary-General (S/2011/32) refers to much progress with regard to economic and social development. We are pleased to learn that Timor-Leste is growing at a rate of 10 per cent and that it has reduced the poverty level and improved human development indicators. However, we are concerned about the difficulty young people face in finding employment. We endorse the work of the High-Level Committee on Transition. In that regard, we highlight the beginning of the work of the joint technical working groups on democratic governance, the police and security sector, the rule of law, justice, human rights, economic development, mission support and logistics, training for national officials and the impact of the Mission’s departure on the local economy. Throughout that process it is necessary to regularly consult and duly inform all stakeholders, political parties, civil society and donors. Colombia expresses its satisfaction at the progress achieved in Timor-Leste with the coordinated support of the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT), other agencies and programmes of the United Nations system, financial institutions and donors. We should continue such support work while making preparations for the transition and permanent transfer of all functions to the authorities of Timor- Leste. Given the progress achieved in the stabilization of Timor-Leste, my delegation supports the extension of UNMIT’s mandate for another year.

I would like to thank the Prime Minister of Timor-Leste for his important statement. I also thank Ms. Ameerah Haq for her briefing and for her efforts as head of the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) aimed at promoting security and stability and helping the Government and people of Timor-Leste to build their national institutions. My delegation welcomes the contents of report of the Secretary-General (S/2011/32) with regard to the security and stability that Timor-Leste is experiencing. We look forward with optimism to further steps to strengthen national unity, as well as to positive economic indicators that augur well for a better future for the people of Timor-Leste. That was underscored by the Prime Minister himself in his statement today. Joint efforts between the authorities of Timor- Leste and UNMIT must be redoubled during the remaining period of the Mission’s mandate, to the end of 2012, in order to complete all major tasks entrusted to it, in particular, security sector reform, strengthening the rule of law, achieving socio-economic development and reinforcing a culture of dialogue and democratic governance. In that regard, we would like to make the following observations. First, concerning security sector reform, we welcome the fact that the National Police of Timor- Leste is taking responsibility for security in 10 of 13 districts. We would like to stress the need for the rehabilitation of the national police to be completed so that it can undertake its security responsibilities in the three remaining districts. That will pave the way for the Mission’s smooth exit. Secondly, with regard to reinforcing the rule of law, we pay tribute to the recent measures undertaken to fight corruption. We underscore the importance of reactivating the role of the judiciary, in particular with regard to accountability and preventing impunity, especially as concerns the crimes committed in 1999 and during the crisis of 2006 and since. This is considered as one of the basic principles necessary for ensuring permanent security. As for economic and social development, we welcome the national development plan for the period 2011-2030, which the Government is preparing in line with the Millennium Development Goals. In that regard, we would like to highlight the importance of the development plan covering all sectors of Timorese society. This will contribute to political stability and security. As for ensuring a culture of dialogue and democratic governance, we welcome the democratic path taken by the Government of Timor-Leste. We believe that the presidential and parliamentary elections scheduled to take place in 2012 are indicative of the return of stability after the events of 2006. In that regard, we reiterate the importance of joint cooperation between the Mission and the election authorities in Timor-Leste. In conclusion, there is no doubt that UNMIT represents a success story for the international community. Together with all the United Nations agencies, it has helped to strengthen democratic practices and build State institutions. We call upon all parties to make maximal use of its experience during the remaining period. We support the recommendation of the Secretary-General to extend the mandate of UNMIT for another year.

Let me thank the Brazilian presidency for convening today’s meeting and for preparing the draft resolution currently under consideration. It is a pleasure to welcome Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão to the Council today. We have listened to his intervention with great interest and commend him on his achievements. Germany will continue to support his country bilaterally in cooperation with our European Union partners, and not least as a member of the Council and within the United Nations community. I also welcome Special Representative of the Secretary-General Ameerah Haq. I thank her for the briefing and would like to commend her able leadership of the Mission. Germany takes note with satisfaction of the fact that the overall situation in Timor-Leste remains stable. The United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) certainly has made its contribution, and we would like to pay tribute to the work of the men and women who make up the Mission. Before I offer some national remarks, let me underline that my Government aligns itself with the statement to be delivered by the representative of the European Union. Germany supports the extension of the mandate of the Mission for another 12 months, as recommended by the Secretary-General. UNMIT, in cooperation with the Government of Timor-Leste, has achieved considerable results but, given the remaining institutional weaknesses and persisting fragilities, we are still facing considerable challenges. Germany therefore considers it imperative to continue to invest in Timorese capacities and institutions closely in line with national strategies, priorities and needs. National ownership is key to successful support. The next 18 months will be crucial for building the foundations for lasting peace in Timor-Leste, with next year’s elections being an important milestone. In that regard, Germany supports the Secretary-General’s proposal to leave the Mission’s composition and authorized levels of personnel unchanged while continuing the gradual decrease of police as conditions on the ground permit. It is encouraging that the resumption of primary policing responsibilities by the national police has continued to make progress and that completion in all the districts and units is likely in the coming months. However, an adequate level of UNMIT police will be required, both to intensify the support to capacity- building and skills transfer and to lend operational support to the national police if needed. We believe that the proposed level allows for the necessary flexibility. While we work towards the gradual transition to full Timorese control in all areas where currently international support is still required, it is clear that the United Nations has a longer-term commitment to Timor-Leste, including beyond UNMIT. If current trends can be sustained, the post-UNMIT period is approaching fast. Germany is therefore of the view that we need to continue to intensify discussions about the strategy and the modalities for the transition and the preparation for the future and scope of the United Nations on the ground post-UNMIT. We must make every effort to ensure that UNMIT support in areas where there is a continued need beyond the term of the Mission’s final mandate is effectively transferred to State institutions, bilateral and multilateral partners, United Nations country team entities or civil society. In the view of my Government, current progress will only be sustainable if the preconditions for the development of a vibrant civil society — functioning State structures and an adequate judicial framework — are in place. Germany agrees with the Secretary- General’s call for continued efforts to be undertaken at all levels of society to combat impunity and to strengthen public confidence in the justice system. Public institutions themselves must be role models for the rule of law and for accountable action nation-wide. It is in that context that we share the concern about the so-called certification of police officers who face disciplinary and criminal charges. This very visible issue should be addressed thoroughly. Inclusiveness is another decisive factor for achieving economic growth and sustainable development. The opportunity for women and young adults to contribute their share cannot be overestimated. We invite UNMIT to continue to focus on these groups of society and on implementing the women, peace and security agenda. Let me conclude by thanking UNMIT and its partners once more for their commitment to creating the conditions for the Mission’s future withdrawal and by encouraging our Timorese partners to continue the vigorous implementation of their ambitious national reform agenda. The Government’s motto “Goodbye Conflict, Welcome Development” aptly sums up the aspirations we share.

I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the representative of Brazil. (spoke in Portuguese; English text provided by the delegation) I would like to extend the warmest welcome to His Excellency Mr. Xanana Gusmão, Prime Minister of Timor-Leste. I would like to echo the words of the Permanent Representative of Portugal about the admirable role played by His Excellency Mr. Xanana Gusmão in the history of his young country and about the significance of this moment. Moreover, the presence of the Prime Minister among us today provides an opportunity for us to celebrate the significant progress achieved and to plan together the next steps to ensure a future of peace and prosperity for Timor-Leste. (spoke in English) I also wish to thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Ameerah Haq for her briefing and commend her for her leadership and her work in Timor-Leste. Although Brazil and Timor-Leste lie in different corners of the world, our two nations are very close. Not only do we share a common history and language, but we also face some of the typical challenges of developing countries. Those bonds have given rise to an intense bilateral cooperation over the past years. Such cooperation encompasses a broad range of issues, including security sector reform, education and justice, to name just a few. Brazil has provided training for officers of the Policia Nacional de Timor-Leste (PNTL). We have sponsored initiatives on private sector development, professional training, elementary schoolteacher training and technical education in agriculture. Brazil has also been involved in the capacity-building activities and the training of Timorese judges, prosecutors and public attorneys. This year Brazil has the special honour of being the lead country for Timor-Leste in the Security Council. I take this opportunity to thank Japan for its role as lead country for the past two years. Brazil wishes to congratulate the Timorese leadership and people for the significant progress they have achieved in the past few years. Important strides have been made in many areas, from sustained economic growth to enhanced capacity for delivering social services; from improved security to the consolidation of democracy; and from the promotion and protection of human rights to investment in infrastructure. Timor-Leste stands out as an example of post-conflict peacebuilding. Let me focus on four issues that will be particularly important in the coming months, namely, the 2012 elections, security sector reform, socio-economic development and preparations for the transition period. The parliamentary and presidential elections to be held during the first half of 2012 will constitute Timor- Leste’s most important political event. We agree with the Secretary-General that a peaceful, transparent and credible electoral process will be an important milestone on the country’s path to long-term stability and recovery. Brazil is confident that Timor-Leste will achieve those goals, thus consolidating its remarkable gains. Progress has been particularly evident in the security sector. Ten districts have been handed over to the national police, while another two are ready to follow suit. Both the Government of Timor-Leste and the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) should strengthen their efforts to ensure that the PNTL is ready to resume primary policing responsibilities in Dili. As Brazil has often noted, socio-economic development is a key component in the maintenance of peace and stability. Again, Timor-Leste has stood out in that respect, although challenges still remain. The international community should continue to assist whenever requested. The last point I want to comment on is about the preparations for the transition period. UNMIT has made an outstanding contribution to the stability and development of Timor-Leste. It should now adapt to the new circumstances and assist the Government with its current challenges. These include socio-economic development, institution-building and security. Any decision on a gradual decrease in the number of UNMIT police officers should reflect the realities on the ground rather than follow fixed or artificial deadlines. It should also be thoroughly discussed with the Timorese authorities. Brazil is glad to celebrate Timor-Leste’s achievements. Prime-Minister Xanana Gusmão and the Timorese people can be proud of them. It is now important for the country to build on that progress in order to follow a steady course towards peace consolidation and long-term development. The Security Council should continue to assist Timor-Leste in this endeavour. I now resume my functions as President of the Council. I give the floor to the representative of Japan.

I would like to begin by extending a very warm welcome to His Excellency Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão of Timor- Leste, as well as to thank him for his statement. I would also like express our appreciation to Ms. Ameerah Haq for her briefing to the Council in her capacity as Special Representative of the Secretary-General. Japan highly commends the positive developments in Timor-Leste in the past year. As the Secretary-General’s report (S/2011/32) states, the situation remains calm, almost all internally displaced persons have returned to their home towns and, most significant, the Government has made notable progress in the area of security sector reform, by passing relevant laws well in advance of receiving the support of the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor- Leste (UNMIT) for its comprehensive review. We may say that Timor-Leste is at a critical juncture on the path to becoming a prosperous, responsible nation. In particular, the presidential and parliamentary elections scheduled for the first half of 2012 will be of great importance. We look forward to seeing transparent and democratic elections conducted proudly by the Timorese people. To achieve that goal, it is critically important to have not only adequate logistical and administrative capacity but also adequate security. In order to achieve the successful conduct of the elections, Japan stands ready to assist Timor-Leste, working with UNMIT in the area of electoral support, as required and requested. We highly commend the national police’s successful resumption of policing responsibility in most districts. We have seen the Policia Nacional de Timor-Leste (PNTL) and the United Nations police work together in the districts where policing responsibility has now been handed over. But what is more urgently needed, in accordance with the Special Representative’s plan, is to build more substantial capacities within the PNTL in order for it to actively engage in the preventive activities usually described as community policing. Although such low-profile activities often get less attention from the public, they contribute to better security in the longer term. Japan therefore believes that the Government of Timor-Leste should increase its commitment in this area. As for the issue of the certification of PNTL officers, I trust that the Government will find no reason to exempt the 52 officers who face serious disciplinary and criminal charges from further criminal and disciplinary proceedings. Japan acknowledges the strong willingness and commitment of the Government to expedite the resumption of the process to enable PNTL officers to gain as much experience as possible ahead of the critical elections in 2012 and the period beyond. However, the lack of capacity in the judicial sector should also be acknowledged as a source of concern. In that regard, I concur with the Special Representative, who has urged the Government and judicial authorities to take all measures necessary to ensure the national police’s integrity. The international community stands ready to support this endeavour as well. We recently saw that the Timorese budget has exceeded $1 billion and the country’s population has surpassed 1 million people. Such rapid expansion gives this young country great potential, as well as posing socio-economic challenges. While we commend the Government’s work, it is worrisome to note that many young people remain unemployed and that large numbers of youth are joining the labour market every year with limited opportunities for employment. Japan would therefore like to encourage the Government to put more emphasis on formulating policies for job creation and rural development. Against this background, Japan strongly believes that UNMIT’s presence and support are critical, especially in assisting the Government in the successful conduct of the important elections in 2012. From that point of view, Japan strongly supports the extension of UNMIT’s mandate for another year, at the strength proposed in the Secretary-General’s report. At the same time, Japan encourages not only the Government and UNMIT, but also the Security Council and all interested stakeholders, to engage actively in the discussions as to the type of international support and commitment that is most needed and most suitable for Timor-Leste. I affirm Japan’s commitment to leading those efforts. It was regrettable that the Security Council mission to Timor-Leste that Japan organized as lead country last October had to be postponed just before the planned departure. But we sincerely hope that the new members of the Council will undertake to reschedule the mission prior to the critical year of 2012. I would like to conclude by reiterating Japan’s continued commitment to strengthening the friendship between our countries and cooperating with the Timorese people to support their nation-building efforts.

I now give the floor to the representative of the Philippines.

I would like to thank you, Madame President, and the members of the Security Council for allowing my delegation to speak on today’s agenda item. We are also very grateful for the report (S/2011/32) of the Secretary-General on the situation in Timor-Leste. We are particularly appreciative of the presence of His Excellency the Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, whose words today reaffirmed his commitment and dedication to moving forward his young country in our part of the region and the world. My delegation also deeply appreciates the comprehensive and timely briefing of Ms. Ameerah Haq, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT). Since the Council’s last debate on UNMIT (see S/PV.6405), we have seen major improvements in the political and security situation in Timor-Leste. It is satisfying to stress that among the country’s 13 districts, 10 now are in the hands of the Policia Nacional de Timor-Leste (PNTL), with the remaining three, including Dili, scheduled to be turned over in April. The vastly improved peace and order situation has allowed UNMIT to downsize the number of its police officers by 20 per cent. But at the same time, the reduction will test the ability of the PNTL to take over the role of United Nations police. One immediate concern is to help the PNTL strengthen its criminal investigation and forensics capability. The major challenge over the long term will be to ensure balance between the PNTL’s capacity to handle primary policing responsibilities and UNMIT’s support to institution and capacity-building, including strengthening civilian oversight and management over the Timorese security forces. As an active member of the core group on Timor- Leste, the Philippines welcomes these recent positive developments. The Philippine contingent in UNMIT and United Nations police, numbering 137 personnel, including 14 women, is now preparing to scale down its present force by around 30 per cent in the coming months, in accordance with UNMIT’s overall drawdown plans and without sacrificing the contingent’s effectiveness and viability. The Philippines is also pleased to note that the overall crime rate in Timor-Leste has decreased. However, some concerns remain on the local security forces’ ability to protect civilians. We are particularly concerned by reports of the growing incidence of violence against women. A solution must be found quickly to address this problem, lest it negate Timor- Leste’s efforts to advance the cause of women at the regional and global levels. The report of the Secretary-General underscored the great strides that Timor-Leste has made towards sustained peace and order, political and economic stability and the pursuit of justice and development. This is indeed a tribute to Timor-Leste’s determination, notwithstanding the difficult challenges it continues to face as a young nation. The parliamentary elections in 2012 will be a crucial test for the people of Timor- Leste. Political stability is needed to deepen democracy and the rule of law in order to buttress the foundations of long-term peace and prosperity. In that context, the Security Council will once again renew the mandate of UNMIT for another year — a decision that the Philippines strongly supports. As we experienced in 2006, premature United Nations disengagement can produce dire consequences. The renewal of UNMIT’s mandate must also be seen as a window of opportunity for the Government and people of Timor-Leste to show their readiness to take responsibility for their own peace and security. All agree that the transition to post-UNMIT must be well managed. But concrete steps are necessary to make it as smooth and seamless as possible. Coordination among UNMIT, the Government of Timor-Leste and other stakeholders must therefore be reinforced. In view of the inevitable expiration of UNMIT’s mandate, all concerned partners must cooperate to come up with an exit strategy that is realistic, transparent and practical. Like other States emerging from conflict, Timor- Leste faces hardship and adversity. But the Philippines believes that Timor-Leste, our good and close neighbour, is in a good position to hurdle the challenges ahead. I once again assure the Council and all of our partners in the United Nations, especially the core group on Timor-Leste, that the Philippines stands ready to do its part to contribute to the success of UNMIT and to help the people and Government of Timor-Leste in their quest for peace and prosperity.

As I now give the floor to the representative of New Zealand, I wish to convey to him our deep sympathy and condolences for the loss of lives following the earthquake that struck his country.

Can I respond immediately by thanking you, Madame President, and Prime Minister Gusmão and others who have expressed their sympathy over the earthquake that occurred about 24 hours ago. Dawn is just now breaking in Christchurch and it will only be then that we can see the true extent of what is unquestionably a national tragedy. I thank you for your sympathy. I want to thank Prime Minister Gusmão and Special Representative Haq for their statements, and the Secretary-General for his report (S/2011/32). I want to acknowledge with deep respect the Prime Minister’s lifetime of effort to provide Timorese with a path to a safer and more prosperous future, and in particular his leadership in nation-building over the past decade. It is an honour to have him join us today. The Secretary-General’s latest report paints a positive picture of progress over the past year, with the security situation more calm and stable and the country more prosperous than at any time since independence. The impressive commitment to democratic and constitutional norms across the political spectrum and the willingness to put long-term interests ahead of short-term gains bode well for next year’s elections. Steady progress has been made in strengthening the justice and corrections sectors and the various institutions responsible for ensuring Government accountability and respect for human rights. Strong economic growth, together with targeted social programmes, has delivered progress in addressing key socio-economic challenges. All of this is cause for optimism. But we cannot be complacent. The next 18 months will test whether the political and security climate can withstand the heat of competitive democratic elections. It will also test the readiness of core State institutions to sustain themselves with reduced international support. When we last met in October (see S/PV.6405), there was broad recognition that Timor-Leste was entering a new phase. A period that required a large international presence to ensure security and support core State institutions is now giving way to one in which a confident and capable Government is increasingly charting its own course and defining the future form and scope of its international assistance. After a decade focused on security and stability, attention has now turned to longer-term challenges of institutional development to achieve sustainable and inclusive growth. Carefully and effectively managing this must now be the Mission’s overriding priority. The transition process must be nationally owned and led, with careful planning and sequencing of changes to the international presence in order to minimize risks of instability and disruption and with thoughtful judgments regarding the transfer of specific Mission functions and capacities to the Timorese Government. New Zealand welcomes the early engagement between Government and Mission leadership, notably through the High-Level Committee on Transition and its working groups. We applaud the Mission’s work to mitigate the economic impact of a future drawdown and to prepare local staff for post-UNMIT employment. Nowhere will astute transition management be more important than in the security sector. We are pleased with progress made over the past year in transferring executive policing authority to the Policia Nacional de Timor-Leste (PNTL) and at the Secretary- General’s advice that this process should be completed in the coming months, as it will be a significant milestone in the reconstitution of the Timorese security sector following the 2006 crisis. Following handover, work will remain to ensure that PNTL administrative and operational capacities are sufficiently robust for it to operate unassisted. Little time remains before the PNTL will be asked to do just that. We therefore welcome the establishment of a process to agree priority measures to strengthen these capacities within the National Strategic Development Plan. All this requires close cooperation and coordination between the Mission and the PNTL leadership. We also encourage early engagement with potential bilateral and multilateral partners. We also welcome assurances on early engagement with those partners, focused on expectations of future donor assistance to ensure they are realistic and clearly signalled. For its part, New Zealand is considering what bilateral assistance it can provide to the PNTL. This is likely to be focused in the area of community policing, building on the results and lessons learned from our recent pilot programme within UNMIT. As UNMIT’s policing undergoes fundamental change, so too must its size and composition. We support the Secretary-General’s proposal to reduce the number of United Nations police, and are open to further gradual reductions if consistent with the wishes of the Government and realities on the ground. This drawdown must be conducive to maintaining stability in the lead-up to the 2012 elections and beyond, while providing the PNTL the space to operate with greater responsibility and autonomy. The Mission must also be adequately equipped with the skills necessary to carry out the complex specialized tasks that now form its primary focus. Civilian and non-civilian deployments should be configured to effectively strengthen the human and organizational capacities of State institutions. We urge the early deployment of the 19 additional civilian experts approved last year. We support the Secretary- General’s proposal that an independent assessment be conducted of PNTL capabilities. All of this requires that we ensure the PNTL’s long-term credibility and integrity. As an active and committed partner, we share the concerns at the recent certification of officers facing serious disciplinary and criminal allegations. This is a matter only the Government of Timor-Leste can resolve. While we appreciate the challenges, it is only by demonstrating that its personnel are as legally accountable as all other citizens that the PNTL will become the trusted and respected institution that Timor-Leste needs and deserves. We support the Secretary-General’s call for early steps to address this issue. Our immediate priority must be to ensure a smooth transition and stable and credible elections next year. It is also important to focus on Timor-Leste’s needs beyond 2012. That period is harder to visualize, but we need to consider our respective roles in helping Timor-Leste address its longer-term challenges. Recent gains have been impressive but only concerted action will address the needs of the 41 per cent of the population still living below the poverty line. Urgent challenges remain in terms of developing infrastructure, addressing poverty and extending essential basic services. New Zealand looks forward to the launch in June of the Government’s National Strategic Development Plan, which must be Timorese-led and form the framework for future action by international partners. As a long-term partner, New Zealand will align its development assistance with the Plan’s priorities. New Zealand is proud of Timor-Leste’s considerable achievements over the past decade and proud to call itself a neighbour, partner and friend of this young country. The Secretary-General’s report suggests we are well on track to delivering a new Timor-Leste. New Zealand is committed to working with the Government and its international partners to help Timor-Leste deliver on that promise.

I now give the floor to the representative of Australia.

I would like to thank you, Madame President, for presiding over this meeting. I would also like to acknowledge the presence in the Council today of Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão and to thank him for his briefing this morning. This is an opportunity to acknowledge that his own leadership and the constancy of his personal commitment to the people of Timor-Leste have been instrumental in the evolution of his nation. I would also like to congratulate Special Representative Ameerah Haq for the crucial work she has been doing in Timor-Leste and for her helpful briefing this morning. Of course, I also want to thank the Secretary-General for that most recent report (S/2011/32). The progress Timor-Leste that has made over the past few years is very impressive. The country today enjoys a measure of security that would have seemed almost unimaginable in the dark days of 2006. The security forces, working with the support of United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT), are developing the capacity to provide the security that will underpin Timor-Leste’s development themselves. It is good to see that the National Police Force of Timor-Leste (PNTL) has now resumed primary policing responsibility in 10 of Timor-Leste’s 13 districts, reflecting the significant progress the PNTL has made in recent years. An effective policing capacity is fundamental in any country, just as a mature and mutually understood relationship between the police and the military is critical. When we look at East Timor today, we see a country that has had good rates of economic growth for the past four years. Timor-Leste’s Petroleum Fund is performing well, which, together with wise public investment and diversification in the nation’s development, should provide a sustainable basis into the future. The support of the United Nations and the international community for Timor-Leste’s development has been important in assisting the Government to make this progress. The United Nations still has a key role to play to help to ensure that progress made to date is sustained, as well as to continue to support Timor-Leste’s ongoing development goals over both the short- and longer-terms. In spite of the improvements of recent years, significant challenges remain, as we all know. There has been some progress in reducing poverty, increasing school enrolments, achieving immunization and tuberculosis control targets and reducing infant mortality. But the fact is that many of the Millennium Development Goal indicators are unfortunately still off track and poverty levels still remain high, particularly in rural areas. The health and education sectors remain underdeveloped. The economy remains heavily reliant on petroleum revenues. We encourage Timor-Leste to continue working to resolve uncertainties over land tenure and simplify business regulation, both measures which would encourage the private sector growth that is essential for economic development. It is also vital that Timor-Leste continue to strengthen the institutional framework for good governance. This will require strong and effective leadership — the sort of leadership we are in fact already seeing — and a commitment from all levels of Government, civil society and the broader community. None of this, of course, is easy for any Government, and identifying the problems is in no way intended to sound negative, but rather to recall for all of us the enormity of task that still needs to be done. The Timor-Leste Government is showing real leadership in this task, but the international community continues to have a critical role to play. The national elections scheduled for 2012 will be a key milestone and a significant test for the national police. As the Secretary-General has pointed out, it is impressive as well as determinative to hear politicians across the board in Timor-Leste eschew violence to achieve political ends. We remain hopeful that, like the suco elections in 2009, the national elections will proceed peacefully and help to further cement Timor- Leste’s democratic foundations. Australia supports the current plans outlined in the Secretary-General’s report for the United Nations police contingent to conduct a modest drawdown this year and then remain steady until after the 2012 elections. Of course, the final drawdown should take into account the security environment in Timor-Leste at the time. We also support the decision to conduct an independent assessment of the PNTL and the United Nations-led police expert assessment mentioned in the Secretary-General’s report. Given that 2012 is close, there is clearly an urgent need to plan for the end of the United Nations Integrated Mission, not just in the policing sector but in respect of the broad range of support it provides in other sectors. We commend the work already done by the Government and UNMIT to commence this transition preparation and note that a lot more work will need to be done quickly to ensure that the transition process goes smoothly. This includes ensuring that donors have time to factor into their own planning any additional responsibilities that might ensue. We welcome Timorese resumption of policing responsibilities. As I said, the resumption of primary policing responsibility in 10 of 13 districts and most units is a vital step. We look forward to the resumption of policing responsibility in the remaining districts once they have met the agreed conditions. It is important that the integrity and reputation of the PNTL is upheld, including through ensuring that the criminal or disciplinary cases against individual PNTL officers are completed and appropriate action taken. Australia is aware that there will be an ongoing need to support the development of the PNTL’s capability. We are working directly with Timor-Leste to improve the capacity of its security forces, through substantial bilateral programmes to assist with the development of the PNTL and the Timorese armed forces. Through the International Stabilization Force (ISF) and our contribution to the United Nations police, Australia will continue to support the Timorese Government and UNMIT to maintain security. As requested by the Government of Timor-Leste, we expect that the International Stabilization Force will remain until after the 2012 elections. Future reductions in the ISF will be made in close consultation with the Timorese Government, our ISF partner New Zealand and the United Nations. We are keen to ensure that ISF structure and force levels are coordinated and commensurate with UNMIT. On development, we have heard the Timorese Government’s clear message to all of us that the people of Timor-Leste must drive their own development agenda. We welcome the forthcoming release of Timor- Leste’s Strategic Development Plan, which will guide our own contribution to Timor-Leste’s development. We are currently its largest bilateral partner and this year we will deliver over $100 million through the partnership. This will help create employment by assisting Timor-Leste to improve agricultural productivity, infrastructure, vocational education, private sector development and labour-intensive works, such as road maintenance, which give jobs to young people. It will also support the delivery of health and education services and the Timorese Government’s own efforts to improve Government accountability. To return briefly to the question of youth unemployment, as we have said before the Council in the past, this remains perhaps the biggest single challenge and threat to future stability in Timor-Leste. This is not a unique situation, as we know. As is now starkly obvious, youth unemployment and its consequences are among the defining realities globally in our era. In conclusion, let me state the obvious. Nation- building is a very hard thing to do. Outsiders all expect Governments to do probably too much in possibly too short a time. Too many countries still struggle to break the downward cycle. But Timor-Leste shows that it can be done. Australia itself has had what for us has been a unique bond with this new nation. We are very seriously committed to standing with Timor-Leste to help it secure a successful future, and to help it secure that future on Timor-Leste’s own terms. The international community has equally been decisive in working for Timor-Leste’s future. We have confidence that it will remain committed to what Prime Minister Gusmão himself described this morning as a noble mission.

I now give the floor to His Excellency Mr. Pedro Serrano. Mr. Serrano: Thank you, Madame President, for giving the floor to the European Union (EU). At the outset, I also wish to extend deep condolences to the Government and people of New Zealand for the loss of lives during the earthquake that shook Christchurch. The candidate countries Turkey, Croatia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Montenegro, the countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia and the European Free Trade Association country Norway, member of the European Economic Area, as well as the Republic of Moldova, align themselves with this statement. Let me start by greeting the Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, Mr. Xanana Gusmão, who has addressed the Council today for the first time. As a close partner of his country, the European Union is very pleased with its progress in many fields, in particular its strides towards long-term stability and its remarkable economic recovery. We commend his leadership and the closer cooperation of the stakeholders in Timor- Leste. Improved national dialogue and greater inclusiveness in the democratic process are delivering results, just as are the strong political commitment to fostering peace, unity and development. Let me also commend Timor-Leste’s active engagement at the regional level, such as in the Regional Forum of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. I also welcome Special Representative of the Secretary-General Ameerah Haq, who has again provided an insightful and encouraging briefing on the situation in Timor-Leste. The European Union would like to thank her for the close cooperation in Dili and the good management of donor coordination, as well as the quality of her work. As many speakers before me have stressed, the general elections in 2012 will be an important milestone for the country and its young democracy. The European Union has started to assist the preparations of the elections through training and capacity-building activities in several fields, such as gender empowerment, civic voter education and voter registration. We stand ready to consider further requests for assistance with a friendly eye. Additionally, the European Union strongly supports the continuation of United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) with a view to the critical period of the elections, as proposed by the Secretary-General and his Special Representative. We believe that the limited and gradual decrease in the Mission’s police personnel serves to adapt UNMIT’s capabilities to the progress towards the full resumption of primary policing responsibilities by the Policia Nacional de Timor-Leste, while allowing UNMIT police to assist with the important institutional development and capacity-building tasks in the security sector, including training on human rights, gender awareness and domestic violence, and to provide operational support if needed. While the European Union welcomes the progress made by the national police, we would also like to stress in this context that it needs to live up to the highest standards of professionalism and integrity. The EU firmly supports the United Nations position about the certification of 52 national police officers who face serious disciplinary and criminal charges. Along with the Secretary-General, we urge the Government to take all necessary measures to ensure the credibility and accountability of the national police. The European Union also recognizes the continued importance of a comprehensive review and reform of the entire security sector. While 2011 will mainly serve to consolidate achievements, address outstanding issues and prepare for 2012, the EU deems it of great importance to discuss the architecture of the future United Nations presence early and to prepare the exit strategy for UNMIT carefully, in order to ensure a sustainable transition and to help secure a continued stabilization of the country. In view of that, we welcome the fact that the joint High-Level Committee on Transition held its second quarterly meeting earlier this month and we look forward to regular updates on its work. As the international presence transitions from peacekeeping to peacebuilding tasks, particular attention must be paid to strengthening institutional and human capacities, activities that are at the heart of the EU assistance programme. Moreover, possible additional support for selected Millennium Development Goals has just been announced to the Head of State. The European Union is pleased with progress in the build-up of the judiciary, to which the EU contributes in the framework of a democratic governance programme. We have also followed with great interest Timor-Leste’s efforts in coming to terms with its difficult past. It is true that Timor-Leste has taken some steps towards addressing impunity and improving accountability for crimes, but we would also like to encourage a full implementation of the recommendations of the United Nations Special Commission of Inquiry report of 2006. We also believe that reconciliation is an important precondition for long-term stability, and is strongly in the interest of people of Timor-Leste itself. It is with that in mind that we are concerned about the recent decision of the National Parliament to indefinitely delay the debate of the draft laws on the public memorial institute and reparations. We urge the resumption of their consideration at the earliest possible occasion, as well as other steps to implement the recommendations of the Commission for Reception, Truth and Reconciliation. In conclusion, Timor-Leste has seen accelerated progress in many aspects of its political, economic and social development. At the same time, the country still faces challenges and needs the continued assistance of bilateral and multilateral partners in order to fully realize its potential for equitable and sustainable development. For its part, the EU stands firmly by Timor-Leste’s side and cooperates with it closely. After the visit of President Ramos-Horta to Brussels in October last year, EU Commissioner for Development Piebalgs will travel to Dili in the beginning of March to continue consultations with the Timorese leadership.

His Excellency Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão has asked for the floor to make a further statement. I now give him the floor.

I wish to thank the members of the Council once again for their interest, concern and help. I very much appreciate the statements made by all members. We will take your words back to our country and we will make every effort to do what the Council asks of us. We remain committed to working together with the international community. We will meet and work together because this is actually a critical phase of the transition. As members of the Council have recalled, we will hold elections next year. We want them to take place. We are committed to carrying out fair elections. We know that our elections will not just be something for us alone. They will also be of importance to many other countries that are in the same situation or are about to start this process. On behalf of the people of Timor-Leste, I would like very much to thank all the members of the Security Council, as well as the representatives of Japan, Australia, New Zealand, the European Union and the Philippines, for their help and concern, but especially for their solidarity and generosity.

I thank His Excellency Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão. I now give the floor to Ms. Ameerah Haq for additional comments. Ms. Haq: First of all, let me thank you very much, Madame President, for so ably chairing this meeting under Brazil’s presidency. I also wish to thank you and all your colleagues for the excellent cooperation that we have had in this process. I would also like to convey my thanks to all the members of the Security Council for their expressions of support. Similarly, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão for having been here with us to continue the same expression of support for our work back in Dili. I would also like to thank all the Council members for the confidence that they have expressed in the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste, as well as for the extension of the mandate. As the Prime Minister has so ably said, we will now again continue our work in Timor-Leste.

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