Mr. President,
I would like to thank Special Representative Sukehiro Hasegawa for his comprehensive briefing and commend him for his excellent work. Denmark fully supports the UN’s work in Timor-Leste.
Denmark associates itself with the statement that the Ambassador of Luxembourg shortly will make on behalf of the European Union.
It is very promising that the positive developments and progress in Timor-Leste have continued during the last three months. The democratic process has been further consolidated by the holding of local elections and by the National Parliament’s law-making process.
We welcome the Governments efforts to fulfil its reporting obligations under international human rights instruments and urge in that respect the Government to urgently select the “Provedor for Human Rights and Justice”.
The presence of UNMISET in Timor-Leste has been an important stabilizing factor and UNMISET has ensured significant progress in institution building. But much still remains to be done in key areas, such as capacity building in the public sector and the consolidation of a legal framework. The task for UNMISET is now to complete a smooth transition from a peacekeeping to a peace-building operation that can ensure a sustainable development assistance framework.
It is quite clear, as described by the Secretary-General in his report, that Timor-Leste needs the support of the UN System also after the termination of UNMISET’s mandate. My Government supports a continued UN presence in Timor-Leste in order to successfully complete the work the Council initiated in 1999. In that respect we note the Secretary-Generals recommendations for a restructured mission and look forward to a further discussion in the Council of these recommendations.
In considering future UN assistance to Timor-Leste, including that of capacity building in the public sector, my Government will support an approach based on national ownership that places Timor-Leste in the driver’s seat. The number of international UN-advisors must be reduced over the coming months to give room for the Timorese to assert their leadership.
My Government has with great satisfaction noted the improved relationship between Timor-Leste and Indonesia. It is our hope that the improved relationship will soon be translated into concrete progress on the delineation of the two countries common land border. We urge the two parties to spare no efforts to solve the pending issues.
Denmark fully shares the view of the Secretary-General that the issue of serious crimes committed in Timor-Leste in 1999 is a concern not only for the two countries, but also for the international community at large. The fight against impunity is of outmost importance and the perpetrators of these crimes must be brought to justice.
My Government therefore welcomes the Secretary-General’s decision, in accordance with Council resolution 1573 (2004), to establish a commission of experts to conduct a thorough assessment of the progress made in the legal proceeding at the two national human rights tribunals in Jakarta and Dili respectively. We strongly urge the two parties to fully co-operate with the expert commission.
Denmark also welcomes the formation of a bi-lateral Truth and Friendship Commission by Indonesia and Timor-Leste and hopes this commission will further contribute to progress in the fight against impunity.
Thank you Mr. President.
