DSRSG: ‘SUCCESS OF F-FDTL IN ERMERA SHOWS HOW F-FDTL AND PKF CAN WORK TOGETHER TO PROTECT PEOPLE’
UNMISET PRESS RELEASE
1 February 2003
(Dili, 1 February) – The Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-
General in Timor-Leste, Mr Sukehiro Hasegawa, said today that “the
successful
outcome of F-FDTL’s engagement in the Ermera District demonstrates
the
confidence and trust it has earned within a short period of time among
people
and how F-FDTL can work together with PKF in protecting people in remote
areas
against possible external threats.” Mr Hasegawa was speaking at a
ceremony in
Los Palos to mark the second anniversary of the establishment the F-FDTL.
The
DSRSG represented UNMISET at the ceremony presided over by RDTL President
Xanana Gusmão and attended by the Speaker of the National Parliament
Mr Lu
O’lo Guterres, Prime-Minister Mari Alkatiri, Justice Minister Ana
Pessoa,
Secretary of State for Defence Rocque Rodrigues and several other ministers
and dignitaries.
The DSRSG said that since independence last May, thanks to the special
efforts
made by President Gusmão and the government led by Prime-Minister
Alkatiri, a
cordial relationship between the governments of Timor-Leste and Indonesia
has
been maintained. Overall external security and border control have remained
stable until recently. But he added that “the recent militia attacks
in the
Ermera district caused the death of several innocent people and made us
realise the urgent need to re-assess the security situation and to re-think
strategically the external security measures that employ the strength
of the
national military forces”.
Following the attacks in Atsabe and Hatolia [sub-districts of Ermera],
the
RDTL government and UNMISET agreed a temporary hand-over of defence
responsibility in order to control militia activities in Ermera, in
recognition of the F-FDTL's better understanding of local people, areas
and
situations. Mr Hasegawa added that increased joint operations can enable
the
RDTL government and UNMISET to make use of the best of both forces. “The
F-
FDTL has certainly better access to a wider range of information pertinent
to
the local security situation, while PKF is better equipped and has higher
mobility and communications assets”, said the DSRSG. In addition,
further
collaboration between the F-FDTL and PKF would promote the transfer of
knowledge and skills from PKF to the F-FDTL. One option being considered
is
the stationing of F-FDTL personnel at PKF’s Headquarters: this would
help the
F-FDTL acquire headquarter organisation and control of operations skills.
The DSRSG reminded those present that Timor-Leste's progress will depend
on
continued stability and on the successful development and gradual deployment
of the F-FDTL in all the districts. He congratulated the F-FDTL on the
progress already made, and said that he looked forward to seeing further
fruitful collaboration between the F-FDTL and PKF.