The UNMIT mission in Timor-Leste August 2006 - March 2010 2006: UNMIT's Creation The UNOTIL Mission in Timor-Leste was set to expire on 20 May 2006. This mission, which followed on UNAMET, UNTAET and UNMISET, had evolved into a small support mission, which was to be phased out in 2006. However, the collapse of local security and resurgence of violence which began in April caused the UN to re-think its disengagement policy, recognizing that Timor-Leste's transition to independence was not yet complete and that the UN needed to provide additional support to the nascent nation. La'o Hamutuk, among others, wrote to the UN with suggestions about how past mistakes could be corrected in a new mission. The Security Council extended the UNOTIL mission by one month as they investigated the situation and debated what to do, and then by two more, until 20 August 2006. There was consensus on most of the recommendations made by the UN Secretary-General in early August, which would include 1,608 international police in a new mission. However, the Security Council was deadlocked on who would command the military contingent of the Mission, proposed to be up to 350 soldiers. The mandate of the military force is described in this excerpt from the UN Secretary-General's 8 August recommendations to the Security Council (see paragraph 119), and includes providing security for UN mission headquarters, being available for rapid response to assist UN police in emergencies, liaising with the international security forces, and advising security forces on the border with Indonesia. On 4 August, Timor-Leste's new Prime Minister José Ramos-Horta wrote to the Security Council, calling for "a small military force, under the command and control of the United Nations." Australia insisted on keeping its soldiers (the majority of the multinational force deployed in Timor-Leste since late May at the request of Timor-Leste) under Australian command. Their position was supported by the U.S. and U.K, but opposed by the UN Secretary-General, the RDTL government, Portugal, Malaysia, NGOs in Timor-Leste and many others, who prefer a unified military force integrated into the UN Mission. During the week of 14 August, there was much heated private discussion within the Security Council about Australia's desire to keep the military outside of the UN mission structure. Japan, as chair of the UN core group on Timor, drafted a Security Council resolution reflecting the Australian position, which differed from the Secretary-General and Timor-Leste's views.The draft resolution generated more heated discussion, and Japan asked its ambassador in Dili to talk with Timor-Leste's prime minister. The ambassador reported that Ramos-Horta had changed his position. However, a letter from Ramos-Horta (dated 18 August but not officially circulated) restated the 4 August letter, but added that the Japanese position had some merit. Some Security Council members took this to mean that Timor-Leste was backing down. Because of the confusion about Timor-Leste's position and continued disagreement within the Security Council, the Security Council extended UNOTIL for five days (until 25 August) on 20 August, allowing another week to find a compromise. La'o Hamutuk encouraged friends in Australia to support a unified UN force. Several international analysts, including James Dunn and Helen Hill, have written on this question. The International Federation for East Timor (IFET), representing supporters of Timor-Leste from around the world, has also called for all foreign soldiers in Timor-Leste to be part of an integrated UN mission. On 25 August, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 1704 creating a new mission, called UNMIT. The compromise allows Australia to continue leading the multinational Joint Task Force outside of UN command, but directed the Secretary-General to review this issue and report back to the Security Council within two months. The relevant paragraph reads: "2. [The Security Council r]equests the Secretary-General to review the arrangements to be established between UNMIT and the international security forces, having consulted all stakeholders, including the Government of Timor-Leste and the contributors to international security forces, and present his views no later than 25 October 2006, and affirms that the Council shall consider possible adjustments in the mission structure, including nature and size of the military component, taking into account the above views of the Secretary-General;"
Keeping ISF outside of UN Command On 8 September, La'o Hamutuk and the International Federation for East Timor wrote to friends of Timor-Leste in Japan to ask them to press their government to change its position. In addition to chairing the Core Group and taking the lead within the Security Council on Timor-Leste, Japan will be the rotating president of the Council during October, with authority to determine the Council agenda. On 26 October, Timor-Leste's parliament held an special session and approved a resolution concerning "The Security System in Timor-Leste", which called for all foreign troops in the country to be under a unified UN command. The following day, the Timor-Leste government issued a press release expressing full support for the Australian and New Zealand troops, as well as a statement responding to Parliament and explaining that Prime Minister Ramos-Horta had written to Secretary-General Kofi Annan on October 18 indicating his interest in negotiating a trilateral agreement between the UN, Australia and Timor-Leste for an Australian-led military force, with more soldiers than the UN Security Council had envisioned under UNMIT. On 27 October, the Security Council held informal (private) consultations on Timor-Leste. After receiving the letter from Prime Minister Jose Ramos-Horta, the council decided to continue to current arrangement (with a separately led military force). On 1 December, the heads of UNMIT and the RDTL government signed an Arrangement detailing how the UN police will work with the Timor-Leste Police. On 26 January 2007, the Foreign Minister of Timor-Leste, the Ambassador of Australia and the head of UNMIT signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the provision of assistance to the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste which lays how the three parties will coordinate police and military operations. Extending UNMIT On 12 February 2007, the UN Security Council had extensive discussions on UNMIT's future, considering the recent Report of the Secretary-General. On 22 February, the Security Council adopted Resolution 1745 (2007), extending UNMIT until 26 February 2008. A delegation from the Security Council visited Timor Leste in November 2007, reporting back to the Security Council, which discussed the report the following week. In mid-December, the Secretary-General visited Timor-Leste, where he addressed the Parliament. 2008 In late January 2008, the Secretary-General reported to the Security Council on events in Timor-Leste during the past six months. The report acknowledged that during the past 18 months, UNMIT had done almost nothing to implement the part of its mandate relating to justice for serious crimes committed during 1999. An agreement between UNMIT and the RDTL Prosecutor-General was signed in February to enable this to begin. The Security Council met three times on Timor-Leste in February 2008. They condemned the attacks on the President and Prime Minister, had an open debate on UNMIT, and passed a resolution extending UNMIT until February 2009. They met again in August and reiterated their commitment. In November 2008, the Australian Parliament's Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade conducted an Inquiry on Human Rights Mechanisms and the Asia-Pacific. Submissions relating to Australian forces in Timor-Leste were made by La'o Hamutuk and Clinton Fernandes, resulting in newspaper coverage. All 17 submissions to the inquiry and other information are available at http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/jfadt/asia_pacific_hr/index.htm. 2009 After an open discussion on 19 February 2009, the UN Security Council met the following week and passed Resolution 1867 (2009), extending UNMIT's mandate to 26 February 2010. Another open discussion was held on 23 October 2009, considering the Secretary-General's latest report. Among the topics discussed were the increasing level of impunity in Timor-Leste, as exemplified by the illegal release of indicted mass murderer Maternus Bere. On 10 December 2009 (Human Rights Day), La'o Hamutuk published an analysis of the gap between the words and the actions of the Security Council on Timor-Leste during the past ten years. Human Rights in Burma On the day before Christmas 2009, Timor-Leste's Foreign Minister Zacarias Albano da Costa notified UN authorities that he had fired Timor-Leste Ambassador to the United Nations Nelson Santos. Santos had just voted in favor of a General Assembly resolution on human rights in Burma (Myanmar), which passed 86-23 with 39 abstentions. Santos was continuing Timor-Leste's previous policy of supporting this annual resolution, following guidance from President Jose Ramos-Horta. However, the Minister had instructed Santos to abstain from this vote to be more in line with ASEAN countries' votes. When Santos voted in favor during the night of 23 December in New York, da Costa immediately sacked him. 2010 Article 87(b) of Timor-Leste's Constitution assigns to the President of the Republic the authority "To appoint and dismiss ambassadors, permanent representatives and special envoys, following proposal by the Government." During the first week of February 2010, Nelson Santos, the President, the Foreign Minister and both deputy Prime Ministers had several discussions in Dili about how to salvage the situation, as well as to resolve Constitutional questions. No resolution was reached, and Mr. Santos, now unemployed, returned to his family in New York. Several Ministry officials privately told La'o Hamutuk that Timor-Leste continues to support democracy and human rights, recognizing that similar support for Timor-Leste from others during the 24-year Indonesian occupation was critical to Timor-Leste's obtaining independence. However, the Minister's action, which apparently stems from an ad-hoc approach to foreign policy, has raised concerns among people who believe that Timor-Leste's leaders should continue to support universal human rights principles, as they did prior to independence. On 9 February, Foreign Minister da Costa announced the appointment of Sofia Borges as Timor-Leste's ambassador to the UN filling the vacancy, and she presented her credentials on 4 March. On 2 February, the Timor-Leste National Alliance for an International Tribunal wrote the Council with suggestions about justice. Resolution 1867 required the Secretary-General to make recommendations to the Security Council by 1 February 2010 about adjustments to UNMIT's mandate and strength, but his report was not provided until 12 February. La'o Hamutuk wrote the Council with comments. The Security Council held a closed meeting on 22 February on police and military issues, had an open debate on 23 February and adopted resolution 1912 extending UNMIT on 26 February, the day the current mandate expired. This web page will be updated and expanded with the latest developments.
Additional information (in reverse chronological order in each category) Contents (click on item below to see links to documents) NGO Statements and press releases Background information and analysis Documents Status of Forces Agreements for foreign soldiers, police and investigators deployed in Timor-Leste Letters from the RDTL Government to the United Nations S/2006/1022 (22 December 2006) RDTL leaders Xanana Gusmão, Francisco "Lu-Olo" Guterres and Jose Ramos-Horta 7 December letter requesting that a second Portuguese GNR unit be incorporated within the UN Police. S/2006/831 (19 October 2006) PM Ramos-Horta asking that the international military be kept under Australian command, while the international police remain under UN command. S/2006/668 (18 August 2006) PM Ramos-Horta 11 August letter requesting electoral assistance for 2007. S/2006/651 (14 August 2006) PM Ramos-Horta 9 August letter consenting to the deployment of the proposed UN police. S/2006/620 (7 August 2006) PM Ramos-Horta 4 August letter requesting, inter alia, that the military component be under UN command and control. S/2006/391 (13 June 2006) FM Ramos-Horta 8 June request for a UN special inquiry on events of 28-29 April and 23-25 May. The Commission of Inquiry report was released on 17 October. S/2006/383 (13 June 2006) RDTL leaders Xanana Gusmão, Francisco "Lu-Olo" Guterres and Mari Alkatiri write the UN on 11 June regarding the future UN presence in Timor-Leste. S/2006/319 (24 May 2006) RDTL leaders Xanana Gusmão, Francisco "Lu-Olo" Guterres and Mari Alkatiri inform the Secretary-General about the request to Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand and Portugal for defence and security assistance. S/2006/230 (10 April 2006 - Gusmão letter of 2 April) S/2006/157 (13 March 2006 - Horta letter of 2 March) and S/2006/39 (20 January 2006 - Alkatiri), RDTL requests for a follow-on special political mission. S/2005/459 (15 July 2005) Mari Alkatiri and Xanana Gusmão write the UN on 22 June about S/2005/458, the Commission of Experts report. S/2005/103 (23 February 2005) PM Mari Alkatiri requests (20 January) extension of UNMISET mandate.
Letters from other governments to the United Nations S/2006/559 (20 July 2006) New Zealand to the Security Council with an update on New Zealand's security assistance to Timor-Leste. S/2006/440* (27 June 2006) Australia to the Security Council with an update on Australia's security assistance to Timor-Leste. S/2006/320, 325, 326 and 327 (24 and 25 May 2006) from New Zealand, Australia and Portugal to the Council president regarding international force deployments Timor-Leste.
Reports from the United Nations Secretary-General since independence S/2010/85 (12 February 2010) Progress report on UNMIT 24 September 2009 to 20 January 2010, including recommendation for mandate and size changes based on the UN Technical Assessment Mission's report. La'o Hamutuk analysis. S/2009/612 (25 November 2009) Letter from the Secretary-General informing the Security Council that he has appointed Ameerah Haq as the new SRSG to head UNMIT. S/2009/504 (2 October 2009) Progress report on UNMIT, 21 January to 23 September 2009. La'o Hamutuk analysis. S/2009/261 (21 May 2009) Letter from the Secretary-General updating the Security Council on the status of revising the concept of operations for the police component of UNMIT. S/2009/72 (4 February 2009) Progress report on UNMIT, 9 July 2008 to 20 January 2009. S/2008/501 (29 July 2008) Progress report on UNMIT, 8 January 2008 to 8 July 2008. S/2008/329 (16 May 2008) Report of the expert mission to TL on policing, March 2008 S/2008/26 (17 January 2008) Progress report on UNMIT, 21 August 2007 to 7 January 2008. Secretary-General visits Timor-Leste (14-15 December 2007) and addresses Parliament. S/2007/513 (28 August 2007) Progress report on UNMIT, 27 January to 20 August 2007. S/2007/50 (1 February 2007) Progress report on UNMIT, 9 August 2006 to 26 January 2007. S/2006/822 (18 October 2006) transmittal letter and text of the report of the UN Independent Special Commission of Inquiry for Timor-Leste, completed on 2 October 2006. S/2006/628 (8 August 2006) recommendations for the future UN presence in Timor-Leste. Resolution 1704 was adopted three weeks later. S/2006/580 (26 July 2006) on justice and reconciliation, responding to the Security Council's request for "a practically feasible approach." S/2006/251 (20 April 2006) UNOTIL end of mandate report, 14 January to 12 April 2006 and press release on 5 May Security Council meeting. S/2006/24 (17 January 2006) Progress report, 16 August 2005 to 13 January 2006 and press release on 23 January Security Council meeting. S/2005/533 (18 August 2005) Progress report, 13 May to 15 August 2005 and press release on 29 August Security Council meeting. S/2005/310 (12 May 2005) UNMISET end of mandate report, 17 February to 11 May 2005 and press release on 16 May Security Council meeting. S/2005/99 (18 February 2005) Progress report, 10 November 2004 to 16 February 2005 and press release on 28 February Security Council meeting. S/2004/888 (9 November 2004) Progress report, 14 August to 9 November 2004 and press release on 15 November Security Council meeting. Resolution 1573 was adopted soon thereafter. S/2004/669 (13 August 2004) Progress report, 29 April to 13 August 2004 and press release on 24 August Security Council meeting. S/2004/333 (29 April 2004) Progress report, 13 February to 29 April 2004 and press release on 10 May Security Council meeting. Resolution 1543 was adopted soon thereafter. S/2004/117 (13 February 2004) Special report on UNMISET and press release on 20 February Security Council meeting. S/2003/944 (6 October 2003) Progress report April to October 2003. S/2003/449 (21 April 2003) Progress report November 2002 to April 2003, including recent security concerns. Resolution 1480 was adopted soon thereafter. S/2003/243 (3 March 2003) recommendations on adjusting UNMISET downsizing schedule to address security considerations. Resolution 1473 was adopted soon thereafter. S/2002/1223 (6 November 2002) Progress report May to November 2002. S/2002/432 (17 April 2002) and addendum 1 (24 April 2002). Progress report, January to April 2002 and recommendations for the follow-on peacekeeping operation after independence. Addendum includes presidential election results and UNMISET cost estimates. Resolution 1410 was adopted soon thereafter.
Resolutions of the United Nations Security Council on East Timor/Timor-Leste General Assembly reports and resolutions regarding UNOTIL and UNMIT financing GA Resolution 61/249C (15 August 2007) Financing UNMIT July 2007-June 2008. Based on the Report of the Fifth Committee A61/644 Add.2 (28 June 2007) GA Resolution 61/282 (14 August 2007) endorsing the report of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ) A61/852 Add. 17 (18 May 2007) ACABQ Proposed UNMIT budget July 2007-June 2008 A/61/852 Add.2 (2 May 2007) ACABQ report on UNMISET financial performance July 2005-June 2006 A/61/852 (30 April 2007) Worldwide ACABQ report
GA Resolution 61/249B (3 May 2007) Financing UNMIT August 2006-June 2007. Based on the Report of the Fifth Committee A61/644 Add.1 (30 March 2007) A61/871 (20 April 2007) Secretary-General's report on UNMIT budget July 2007-June 2008 GA Resolution 61/249 ( 8 March 2007) Financing UNMIT August 2006-March 2007. Based on the Report of the Fifth Committee A61/644 (18 December 2006) A/61/670 (22 December 2006) Secretary-General's report on UNMISET budget performance July 2005-June 2006 A60/789 (19 April 2006) ACABQ Financial Performance Report on UNMISET, July 2004-June 2005 and financing for July 2005-June 2006. A60/703 (28 February 2006) Secretary-General's report on Financing UNMISET (final disposition of assets) A60/614 (17 January 2006) Secretary-General's Performance report on UNMISET Budget July 2004-June 2005 A59/736 Add.17 (23 May 2005) ACABQ financial performance report for UNMISET, July 2003-June 2004 and financing for July 2005-June 2006 A59/637 (21 December 2004) Secretary-General's report on the Budget for UNMISET, July 2005-June 2006
Reports from Timor-Leste to UN Human Rights Bodies HRI/CORE/TLS/2007 (16 July 2007) Core Document forming part of the report of Timor-Leste on compliance with International Human Rights Instruments (208 pages, 1.5 megabytes) CRC/C/TLS/1 (28 June 2007) Timor-Leste initial report to the Committee on Rights of the Child CRC/C/OPSC/TLS/1 (28 June 2007) Timor-Leste report on the optional protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography CRC/C/OPAC/TLS/1 (4 May 2007) Timor-Leste report on the optional protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict
Press releases and transcripts of the United Nations Security Council since 1999 Open meeting of the Security Council (23 February 2010 #6276) to discuss the four-month report of the Secretary-General on UNMIT and the renewal of the UNMIT mandate (transcript). On 26 February, the Council passed Resolution 1912 extending UNMIT for one year more. La'o Hamutuk Analysis of word usage in UN Security Council 1999-2009 Open meeting of the Security Council (23 October 2009 #6205) to discuss the nine-month report of the Secretary-General on UNMIT (transcript). Open meeting of the Security Council (19 February 2009 #6085) to discuss the six-month report of the Secretary-General and the renewal of UNMIT (transcript). On 26 February, the Council passed Resolution 1867 extending UNMIT for one year more. Open meeting of the Security Council (19 August 2008 #5958-5959) to discuss the six month report of the Secretary-General and adopt a Presidential Statement (transcript part 1 and part 2) Open meeting of the Security Council (21 February 2008, #5843) to discuss the report of the Secretary-General and the extension of the UNMIT mandate. Transcript and summary press release. On 25 February, the Council passed Resolution 1802 extending UNMIT for one year more (Transcript of 5-minute meeting). Security Council President's statement (11 February 2008) condemning attack on President Ramos-Horta, calling on government to bring those responsible to justice. (transcript of 5-minute meeting) Report of the Security Council mission to Timor-Leste 24 to 30 November 2007. This report was presented at a Security Council meeting on 6 December 2007 (transcript) and discussed on 13 December 2007 (transcript). Security Council President's statement (10 September 2007) welcoming the formation of new Timor-Leste Government Security Council President's statement (23 May 2007) congratulating new Timor-Leste President Security Council President's statement (4 April 2007) before Timor-Leste elections. Open meeting of the Security Council (15 August 2006, #5512) to discuss the Secretary-General's recommendations for the next mission and on justice. Transcript and summary press release. Open meeting of the Security Council (13 June 2006, #5457) to hear and discuss Ian Martin's report on the crisis in Timor-Leste. Transcript and summary press release. S/PRST/2006/25 (25 May 2006) statement by the President of the Security Council expressing concern about the situation and welcoming the international forces deployed in Timor-Leste. Open meeting of the Security Council (5 May 2006, #5432) to hear and discuss SRSG Sukehiro Hasegawa and Foreign Minister José Ramos-Horta on the crisis in Timor-Leste. Transcript and summary press release. S/2006/196 (29 March 2006) Security Council's request to the Secretary-General for options for post-UNOTIL assistance. Open meeting of the Security Council (23 January 2006, #5351) to hear and discuss President Xanana Gusmão's suggestions for the next UN Mission in Timor-Leste. Transcript and summary press release. S/2005/613 (28 September 2005) Security Council's request to the Secretary-General for recommendations on justice and reconciliation for Timor-Leste, in light of the Commission of Experts report. Open meeting of the Security Council (29 August 2005, #5251) to discuss the Secretary-General's progress report on UNOTIL . Transcript and summary press release. Open meeting of the Security Council (16 May 2005, #5180) to discuss the Secretary-General's progress report on UNMISET and steps to establish UNOTIL. Transcript and summary press release. Open meeting of the Security Council (28 February 2005, #5132) to hear and discuss the Secretary-General's progress report on UNMISET and suggestions for the follow-on mission. Transcript and summary press release. Open meeting of the Security Council (15 November 2004, #5076) to hear and discuss the Secretary-General's progress report on UNMISET and suggestions for a final six-month extension. Transcript and summary press release. Resolution 1573 was adopted the following day. Open meeting of the Security Council (24 August 2004, #5024) to hear and discuss the Secretary-General's progress report on UNMISET. Transcript and summary press release. Open meeting of the Security Council (10 May 2004, #4965) to hear and discuss the Secretary-General's progress report on UNMISET and suggestions for a one-year extension. Transcript (correction) and summary press release. Resolution 1543 was adopted four days later. Open meeting of the Security Council (20 February 2004, #4912) to hear and discuss the Secretary-General's progress report on UNMISET, including views from Foreign Minister José Ramos-Horta. Transcript and summary press release.
Transcripts of Security Council meetings on Timor-Leste from 1999-2003 (no meetings were held in prior years) |
