12 June 2006, Dili--Sukehiro Hasegawa,
the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in Timor-Leste today
welcomed the decision by the Government of Timor-Leste, as communicated
by Foreign Minister Jose Ramos-Horta in his letter of 8 June to the Secretary-General,
to invite the United Nations to constitute a Special Inquiry Commission
to investigate the fatal shootings of late April and May.
SRSG Hasegawa stated, "It is a
welcoming initiative. I join with the Timorese in recommending that an
Independent Commission of Inquiry be constituted as quickly as possible
to bring out the whole truth of what actually happened. The revelation
of truth is the first step towards justice without which people will not
regain trust and confidence in their leaders and public institutions."
Since late April a wave of violence has taken some 30 lives and forced more than 133,000 persons to flee their homes and live in makeshift camps.
Defense and Foreign Minister Ramos-Horta expressed in his letter to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan that, "The establishment of the facts and circumstances relevant to the events is critical for Timor-Leste to overcome its present crisis, achieve reconciliation, and for the upholding of the rule of law."
Hasegawa today also continued his series of meetings with Government officials aimed at a return to peace in Timor-Leste. He met with President Xanana Gusm=E3o, Prime Minister Marí Alkatiri, Speaker of National Parliament Francisco Guterres "Lú-Olo" and Foreign Minister Jose Ramos-Horta to seek their views on the requirements for a follow-on UN mission in Timor-Leste, in particular with regard to military and police components. They also discussed the UN's role in the 2007 presidential and parliamentary elections.
Earlier in the day Hasegawa and the UN Humanitarian Coordinator Finn Reske-Nielsen accompanied Ramos-Horta in visiting a camp for internally displaced people at Canossian Sisters compound near the center of the city and spoke with families forced to live in crude shelters. Hasegawa also visited the Becora prison, east of Dili, and met with Justice Minister Domingos Sarmento and UN prison advisers.
For additional information, please contact:
Donna Cusumano, Chief, Public Information Office, UNOTIL; +670 723 0749 or Spokesperson Robert Sullivan at 670 331-2210, extension 5165