EAST TIMOR POPULAR CONSULTATION AGREEMENT REGARDING SECURITY
The
Government of Indonesia and Portugal and the Secretary General of the United Nations,
Agree as follows:
1. A secure environment devoid of violence or other forms of intimidation is a
prerequisite for the holding of a free and fair ballot in East Timor. Responsibility to
ensure such an environment as well as for the general maintenance of law and order rests
with the appropriate Indonesian security authorities. The absolute neutrality of the TNI
(Indonesian Armed Forces) and the Indonesian Police is essential in this regard.
2. The Commission on Peace and Stability established in Dili on 21 April 1999 should
become operational without delay. The Commission, in cooperation with the United Nations,
will elaborate a code of conduct, by which all parties should abide, for the period prior
to and following the consultation, ensure the laying down of arms and take the necessary
steps to achieve disarmament.
3. Prior to the start of the registration, the Secretary-General shall ascertain, based
on the objective evaluation of the UN mission, that the necessary security situation
exists for the peaceful implementation of the consultation process.
4. The police will be solely responsible for the maintenance of law and order. The
Secretary-General, after obtaining the necessary mandate, will make available a number of
civilian police officers to act as advisers to the Indonesian Police in the discharge of
their duties and, at the time of the consultation, to supervise the escort of ballot
papers and boxes to and from the polling sites.
DONE in New York on this 5th day of May 1999
For the Government of Portugal
/s/ Jaime Gama Minister for Foreign Affairs Portugal
For the United Nations
/s/ Kofi A. Annan Secretary-General United Nations
For the Government of Indonesia
/s/ Minister for Foreign Affairs Indonesia
