EAST TIMOR: Australia Rejects UN Control

Thursday: June 15, 2006
Pacific Magazine

(Sydney Morning Herald Online) - Australia has signalled its opposition to a United Nations force taking over the four-nation peacekeeping mission but has called for an international police officer to take over the running of policing in the troubled country.

Australia's ambassador to the UN, Robert Hill, told the Security Council it would be better for the UN to focus on other issues, such as East Timor's longer-term needs, while the multinational force, led by Australia, took care of security.

East Timor's Foreign Minister, Jose Ramos Horta, in a speech read on his behalf to the Security Council, said a UN force was essential to "reduce political and diplomatic tensions".

He said there should be more countries involved, such as Fiji, Singapore and Thailand.

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