UN To Handle Situation in Dili
Thursday, 08 June, 2006 | 17:40 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: The United Nations (UN) is to go to Timor Leste to try and end the chaos that has lasted for weeks following the rioting.

“Now it's time for the UN to play a larger role,” said Ian Martin, an envoy sent by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.

Martin, who has been in Dili since May 31, previously met separately with President Xanana Gusmao, Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri and the leader of the deserters.

According to him, the discussions with them were directed at arriving at a “top-level political solution” consensus and this requires the role of the UN.

According to Timor Leste's Foreign Minister Jose Ramos Horta, having the police led by the UN will be necessary at least for two years in order to help restore stability.

He estimates that next week the UN will discuss the actual amount and type of troops as well as wlether they can be on duty for two or three months.

Sukehiro Hasegawa, Head of the United Nations Mission of Support in East Timor (UNMISET), yesterday night (7/6) left for New York carrying recommendations regarding the international police to be approved by the UN Security Council.

The crisis hit Timor Leste in April after the government approved the dismissal of 594 personnel of the Timor Leste Army, who deserted because of discriminative treatment.

Rioting broke out and so far 30 people have died and thousands of people have had to evacuate.

The pressure is now on for Alkatiri to resign, however he has chosen to remain in his position.

Yesterday Alkatiri said he welcomed the UN's plan for investigating the cause of ethnic violence.

“He (Alkatiri) agrees that an investigation be carried out with the participation of international investigators and prosecutors,” Hasegawa told the ABC radio station.

“On the other hand, the deserters are demanding that Alkatiri resign before they negotiate as regards reconciliation,” he said.

The situation in Dili yesterday was calm even though some incidences of burning continued and could not prevented by foreign troops.

The last incidence was in Becora, Kampung Alor, and around Bairo Farmoza Lecidere, Merkado Lama, Dili.

Jose Sarito Amaral (Dili), AFP , AP and Dwi Arjanto