Anthony Goodman, United Nations – The UN Security Council unanimously endorsed Friday agreements that will enable the people of East Timor, a former Portuguese colony that Indonesia annexed in 1976, to decide their own future in an Aug. 8 vote.
The accords were signed at the United Nations Wednesday by Foreign Minister Ali Alatas of Indonesia and his Portuguese counterpart, Jaime Gama.
They provide for a UN-organized vote to determine whether the East Timorese want wide-ranging autonomy under continuing Indonesia rule or would prefer to move toward independence.
Indonesia's 1975 invasion and subsequent annexation of the territory as its 27th province were not recognized by the international community.
Some 200,000 Timorese died in fighting or as a result of hunger and disease following Indonesia's occupation of the territory that Portugal abandoned after its 1974 anti-fascist revolution.
The Security Council resolution, sponsored by Britain, stressed the responsibility of the Indonesian government "to maintain peace and security in East Timor" to ensure the voting is carried out "in a fair and peaceful way and in an atmosphere free of intimidation, violence or interference from any side."
Scores of people have been killed, mainly by anti-independence militias, since Indonesian President B.J. Habibie announced in January his government's willingness to reverse the annexation if the East Timorese reject autonomy.
The resolution welcomed the accords and the intention of Secretary-General Kofi Annan to establish as soon as practicable "a United Nations presence" in East Timor to assist in conducting a "popular consultation" of the wishes of the East Timorese.
It also welcomed his plan to make available "a number of civilian police officers to act as advisers to the Indonesian police" and to supervise the escort of ballot papers and boxes to and from the polling sites.
The United Nations is expected to send about 600 civilians and an unspecified number of police advisers to East Timor but no numbers were spelled out in the accords.
They also do not provide for the dispatch of UN peacekeeping troops, as had been called for by pro-independence groups distrustful of the Indonesian army and police.
The issue of security was stressed by Annan in a report to the council Thursday containing the texts of the accords.
He said he had emphasized to the parties what would be needed "in order to enable me to determine that the necessary security conditions exist for the start of the operational phases of the consultation process."
These included "the bringing of armed civilian groups under strict control and the prompt arrest and prosecution of those who incite or threaten to use violence."
The Security Council resolution asked Annan to keep the council closely informed of the situation in East Timor and to provide a report by May 24 with details of the voting process and recommendations about the mandate, size and structure of the UN mission.
Annan was also asked to provide reports every 14 days thereafter, suggesting the council intends keeping a close watch on the situation.
He was requested to inform the council before the start of voter registration, due to begin June 13, whether "the necessary security situation exists for the peaceful implementation of the consultation process."
The resolution welcomed Annan's establishment of a trust fund to enable UN members to make voluntary contributions to support the UN mission in East Timor and urged all members able to do so to contribute without delay.
Portuguese Foreign Minister Gama said Wednesday the operation was expected to cost between $30 million and $45 million and handed over a $10 million check from his government. Australia has given $7 million and pledged the same amount in equipment and other items for the UN mission.