Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/1999-11-18-Speech-4-208"
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"en.19991118.10.4-208"2
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"The redevelopment of East Timor, in terms of its extent and its political specificity, is an important task for us and for the entire international community.
Within the framework of the United Nations, we must all contribute towards finding an overall solution to this problem, including issues relating to human rights and the establishment of a new state. In this context, I am pleased to see that Mr Sergio Vieira de Mello, the new United Nations coordinator, arrived in East Timor last Tuesday. I feel we can wish him nothing but success in this difficult assignment on behalf of the Commission, for my part, and on behalf of the Parliament and the European Union.
You know that the Commission is fully committed to shouldering its responsibilities as regards humanitarian and redevelopment operations. In response to Mrs Maij-Weggen’s question on humanitarian aid, ECHO has to date committed EUR 5 million and there is a further decision concerning EUR 10 million “in the pipeline”, as it were, in order to complete the work we are currently undertaking on the spot. We have responded to international appeals and have currently made commitments up to the equivalent of approximately EUR 8.5 million in food aid. This is not a negligible amount, and we are attempting to measure out this aid to suit the local capacity to absorb it.
The priority that we give to aid for East Timor will be clearly expressed, and I believe that this complies with your suggestion, Mrs Maij-Weggen, by the visit which Commissioner Nielson is going to be making at the end of the month to both East and West Timor. The Commission will be represented on the spot, at the end of the month, by the Commissioner responsible.
According to our information, the United Nations is managing the large-scale operations in East Timor efficiently. The repatriation of displaced persons is in progress. As of the day before yesterday, approximately 65,000 of all the persons displaced had returned, and the Indonesian Government gave us assurances that the process of voluntary repatriation would be completed within 100 days.
Subsequently, it shall, of course, be of the utmost important for the East Timorese themselves to participate in all aspects of the process of redevelopment and development. As you have pointed out, in addition to establishing the foundations of the economy, the emergence of a political power that is up to the task and the development of the necessary institutions will be key elements. After independence, the government will have to determine its foreign policy stance, particularly as regards membership, if appropriate, of the Lomé Convention.
This is the information I wished to give you in response to your questions."@en1
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