Mark Riley, New York – The United Nations Security Council has shelved plans for a UN human rights tribunal in East Timor, ignoring the recommendations of its own inquiry into the mayhem that followed August's independence ballot.

Instead, the council, taking the lead of the UN Secretary-General, Mr Kofi Annan, has decided to stand aside while Indonesia runs its own investigation into the atrocities.

The council decision is outlined in a letter this week from its president, Mr Arnoldo Listre of Argentina, to Mr Annan. "Grave violations of international humanitarian and human rights law have been committed," the letter says. "Those responsible for these violations should be brought to justice as soon as possible." Recent reports by Indonesian and UN human rights inquiries have blamed senior figures in the Indonesian military for much of the violence.

The chairwoman of the UN inquiry, Ms Sonia Picado, said last month that she had no faith in the ability of the Indonesian legal system to deliver justice to the East Timorese. She called instead for a South African-style truth and reconciliation commission to investigate the atrocities.

The Security Council considered her report this week and decided not to act on the recommendations. However, the decision does not prevent the UN from ordering its own inquiry if the outcome of the Indonesian tribunal hearings is not considered to be acceptable.

Mr Listre says in the letter that council members "encourage Indonesia to institute a swift, comprehensive, effective and transparent legal process in conformity with international standards of justice and due process of law". Mr Annan was expected to receive the letter within several days, on his return to New York from his Asia-Pacific tour.