The council welcomed improvements in the political and security situation, saying East Timor has recovered from a crisis in 2006 between the government and several hundred ex-soldiers, and the attacks by some of those rebel soldiers on 11 Feb, 2008 against President Jose Ramos-Horta, who was seriously injured, and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao, who escaped unhurt.
But it said the current political and security situation, although generally calm, remains fragile.
The council urged all parties in East Timor, in particular political leaders, to continue to work together and engage in political dialogue and consolidate peace, democracy, rule of law, sustainable social and economic development, advancement of protection of human rights and national reconciliation in the country.
It reiterated its call on East Timor’s leaders to avoid violent means to resolve differences.
The former Portuguese colony broke from 24 years of Indonesian occupation in 1999, when 1,500 people were killed by militias and departing Indonesian troops. After three years of U.N. governance, East Timor declared independence in 2002. The country, with a population of 1 million, has faced political turmoil and is still impoverished with chronic unemployment, but it is benefiting from large offshore oil and gas resources.
Last week, President Ramos-Horta, now recovered from his injuries, told the council that East Timor registered more than 10 percent economic growth in 2008 and was optimistic about its prospects in 2009. “I believe we will be able to maintain two-digit growth in spite of the international financial crisis,” he said.
He told the council East Timor would welcome the extension of the mandate of the U.N. peacekeeping mission, which has about 1,500 international police helping to train their Timorese counterparts and 33 military observers.
The resolution adopted Thursday extends the mission’s mandate until Feb. 26, 2010. The Security Council asked the U.N mission to support local elections currently planned for later this year.
It stressed the importance of continuing reforms in East Timor’s security sector, particularly delineating the roles and responsibilities of the defense force and the police. It also supported “the gradual resumption of policing responsibilities” by the national police starting this year, but stressed that it must meet criteria established by the government and the U.N. international police.
The Security Council also underlined the importance of establishing an independent judiciary in the country, including the training of lawyers and judges.
