UN Security Council Resolution 1246

Security Council Resolution 1246
Date:	1999
Meeting:	4013
Identifier:	s / RES / 1246 (1999) ( document )
Poll:	Pro: 15  Ent. : 0  Cons: 0
Object:	Establishment of the UNAMET
Result:	accepted

UN medal clasp for UNAMET and UNTAET

UN medal for UNAMET and UNTAET

Resolution 1246 of the UN Security Council was adopted on June 11, 1999 with reference to Resolution 1236 , the agreement between Indonesia and Portugal of May 5, 1999 and the agreement between the United Nations and the governments of Indonesia and Portugal of the same day on the modalities a referendum in East Timor (S / 1999/513, annexes I-III) was unanimously adopted. The United Nations thus decided to set up the United Nations Mission in East Timor (UNAMET).

background

In 1974 Indonesia occupied the previous colony of Portuguese Timor when it was in the process of gaining independence. Since then, a guerrilla war has raged between East Timorese and Indonesians, who annexed the country in 1975 in violation of international law. 183,000 people died directly and indirectly as a result of the occupation. In 1999 the former colonial powers Portugal and Indonesia agreed to hold an independence referendum on the country's future. But already at the beginning of 1999 pro-Indonesian militias ( Wanra ) began to intimidate the population through violence.

The resolution

General Secretary Kofi Annan reported on the tense situation and violence in East Timor (S / 1999/595). The Security Council expressed concern about the situation and noted the urgent need for reconciliation between competing factions within East Timor . The UN's fruitful cooperation with the Indonesian government and the local authorities was welcomed, and they expressed their satisfaction at the conclusion of the consultations between the UN and the Indonesian government on the use of military liaison officers within the framework of the UN mission resolved in this resolution. A letter from the Permanent Representative of Portugal to the United Nations to the President of the Security Council of 7 June 1999 (S / 1999/652) has been acknowledged.

In view of the efforts of the governments of Indonesia and Portugal since July 1983 to find a just, comprehensive and acceptable solution to the East Timor question with the assistance of the Secretary-General, the Security Council welcomed the appointment of a Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the referendum in East Timor and reiterated its support for the Efforts by the Secretary-General's Personal Representative for East Timor.

The Security Council decided to establish the United Nations Mission in East Timor (UNAMET) by August 31, 1999 in order to organize and carry out the referendum planned for August 8 on the basis of direct, secret and general elections. The people of East Timor should choose whether to accept or reject the constitutional framework for East Timor’s special autonomy within the Republic of Indonesia, which would lead to the separation of East Timor from Indonesia in accordance with the General Agreement and empower the Secretary General to assume the responsibility according to paragraph 3 of the security agreement.

For the period up to August 31, 1999, the Security Council authorized the deployment of 280 civilian police officers as advisers to the Indonesian police within UNAMET in their task of monitoring and accompanying the casting of votes and accompanying the transport of the ballot boxes to and from the polling stations. For the same period, 50 liaison officers were authorized to establish contact with the Indonesian armed forces so that the Secretary-General can carry out his duties under the General Agreement and the Security Agreement. The modalities for implementing the referendum were approved.

Following the proposal of the Secretary General, the UNAMET should consist of several components:

• a political component for monitoring fairness in the political environment, for ensuring the freedom of all political and other non-governmental organizations to carry out their activities and for monitoring and advising the special envoy on all questions of political impact.
• a component as to choice for all activities related to

Registration and voting

• a component to inform East Timorese in an objective and impartial manner about the General Agreement and the scope of the proposed autonomy, to provide them with information on the process and procedure of voting, and to explain the implications of an outcome for or against the proposal

The Security Council noted the intention of the governments of Indonesia and Portugal to send an equal number of representatives to all phases of the consultation process inside and outside East Timor. All parties were asked to cooperate with UNAMET and to ensure the safety and freedom of movement of the employees. Particular emphasis was placed on the Indonesian government's responsibility to ensure peace and security in East Timor. All acts of violence, regardless of whom, were condemned. The end of all activities and the disarming of all armed groups in East Timor were called for.

consequences

With Resolution 1257 of the UN Security Council , the referendum had to be postponed to August 30, 1999 as a result of the situation in East Timor. In it, a clear majority of East Timorese opted for independence from Indonesia, which led to a final wave of violence by the Wanra and Indonesian security forces. 2,000 to 3,000 people were killed and around three quarters of the population of East Timor were on the run or were displaced. With Resolution 1264 of the UN Security Council , the Security Council therefore decided to deploy a military reaction force ( INTERFET ). East Timor came under UN administration ( UNTAET ) until its independence in 2002 .

See also

• History of East Timor