United Nations – The UN Security Council today called on Jakarta to make 'concrete progress' in improving the security situation in East Timor to ensure the holding of a landmark ballot on schedule.

In a statement read to reporters after closed-door council discussions, council president Hasmy Agam said the 15 members endorsed a decision by UN chief Kofi Annan to delay by three days until Friday the start of voter registration for the East Timor poll.

The East Timorese are to decide whether their former Portuguese colony, annexed by Jakarta in 1975, should remain part of Indonesia or become independent.

The poll is scheduled for between August 21 and 23, but amid security concerns Annan on Saturday delayed voter registration to give the Indonesian authorities another chance to make good on promises to rein in anti-independence militia.

The Security Council members "called on the Indonesian authorities urgently to make concrete progress on improving the security situation in East Timor so that the peaceful implementation of the consultation process can be completed in time," Hasmy said.

Hasmy, the Malaysian ambassador, said that the council welcomed a visit to the territory by a delegation of Indonesian ministers on Monday, and noted the government's reaffirmation of "its commitment to the full implementation of the agreements on East Timor".

The council noted that under the agreements, signed by Portugal and Indonesia in May, the Indonesian authorities have the responsibility to provide security ahead of the vote.