Dos leitores - Sayonara

Kofi Annan has been on the record as stating that PKF left Timor-Leste too early. Its hard to find someone who disagrees.

I who worked with UN agencies agree fully with Mr Annan.

The Timorese leadership also asked for it not to be the case, but alas. But of equal importance for examination is that of the quality and role of UN SRSGs since His Excellency Kamalesh Sharma.

He has been less than competent and devoid of any positive contribution to enhancing peace and stability in Timor-Leste.

Mr Hasegawa through his public comments as well not so private comments has on many occasions been the spokesperson for all irrational and baseless allegations against the current legitimate Timor-Leste government, which were fomented by and flamed by the opposition.

Some of these include remarks overheard by function goers of baseless and scurrulous accusations against the prime minister of corruption.

His office policy, which transcended into UNDP was to employ only Timorese nationals who were from or sympathisers of the opposition parties. For that matter so was this the policy of the World Bank but at least there they were much more transparent in their recruitment processes.

The undermining of the government within UNDP circles became total and thorough, witnessed by many including some of us international consultants.Then there have been his now famous use of his position to promote japanese foundation related activities through Japanese funding.

Nothing really unethical per se, with the exception that it has been an exercising akin to trying to put square pegs in round holes.

One example is what I think eveyone now admits was the failure of the RESPECT project which created so many expectations yet had so much negative impact on the community. That was his baby and he cannot run from its effects on Timor-Leste.

This was a project which he heavied the Timor-Leste government to undertake, which was disliked by the other bilateral and multilateral donors here, for good reason, and was running contrary to the efforts being made by the veterans commission, but which Hasegawa wanted by hook or by crook to go ahead with the inclusion of ex-combatants aspects about it because it had to be thus due to the Japanese Peace Foundation guidelines.

The Timor-Leste government was placed in a corner because Japan is not one bilateral donor you want to upset in Timor-Leste.

So, Mr Hasegawa, I think even we in the donor community would have run from signing a letter of confidence in your role here as has been publicised of late.

We all have to reflect on our role here. We are reflecting deeply to ensure our future contribution is positive and can salvage this country. So should you reflect (or more to the point the UN reflect on your role here), because your efforts here in Timor-Leste were well short of what even the UNs usual mediocre, but sometimes successful efforts to promote peace building and political stability in kindred missions has been able to achieve in three years.

Some are going further and accusing you of conduct which enboldened some opposing the government to adopt strategies of political instability and divisiveness.

Time will tell all. But I hope the UN will ensure that a person of greater stature will be given the responsibility of representing the UN in these next vitally important two or more years.

Many of us in the international community here are hoping its Sayonara Mr Hasegawa.