General Kofi Annan recommended Tuesday that the Security Council approve a new UN mission for East Timor to last two years beyond its independence, slated for May 20. The proposed mandate, dubbed UN Mission to Support East Timor (UNMISET), would center on aiding good governance and assuring domestic and border security.

The Security Council, under pressure to pay more attention to other hot spots, such as Afghanistan and the DR Congo, is to debate Annan's recommendations Friday.

While upbeat on the current social, political and security situation in the UN-administered territory, Annan said that "all this would be at risk" if it were not "reinforced through a continued (UN) presence and international commitment".

Among other needs, he called for "urgent attention" in providing "financial and material support" for continued formation of East Timor's police and defense forces.

On a visit to Sweden, President-elect Xanana Gusmao said Tuesday that he would travel to New York to encourage the UN to extend its presence in East Timor, with only "gradual downsizing" of its current UNTAET mission, which ends at independence next month.