Dili – East Timorese officials Thursday welcomed a proposal by United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan to extend the UN support mission in the new nation for one more year.
"The president welcomes and fully supports the recommendations of the secretary-general," said Agio Periera, chief of staff to President Xanana Gusmao.
He said preparing for the UN's eventual departure was "a challenge for the Timorese nation as a whole. We will look ahead with the same positive attitude that we have shown in recent years."
Annan presented his report Wednesday to the UN Security Council, which was expected to vote on it Friday.
He proposed a one-year extension for the UN Mission of Support in East Timor (UNMISET) after its current mandate expires on May 20, but with a big cut in the current number of peacekeeping troops and support staff.
The UN took over the running of the country in 1999 after the departure of Indonesian troops and their local militia proxies, who left much of the former Indonesian province in ruins.
East Timor became independent on May 20, 2002, but a UN mission stayed on to help Asia's poorest nation through its early years.
Annan said a "comparatively modest additional effort can make a crucial difference" in preparing the country fully to stand on its own feet.
He proposed a 310-strong peacekeeping force plus 42 military liaison officers, 157 civilian police advisers and 58 advisers to support the public administration and justice system.
There are currently 1,750 UN peacekeepers, 125 police officers, 200 police advisers and 70 civilian advisers.
Annan said no new recent violence had been reported by former pro-Jakarta militiamen.
But "reports of signtings of armed gangs and criminal elements in districts bordering (Indonesian) West Timor continued, as did suggestions of preparations for destabilising activity by Timorese groups with unclear agendas".
The secretary-general praised East Timor's "extraordinary achievements" but said that "formidable challenges remain".
Annan said the court system remained especially weak and the behaviour of the country's own police force was a concern.
"Disturbing reports of the excessive use of force, assaults, negligent use of firearms, criminal activities and corrupt practices continue to be received," he said.