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Portuguese TranslationU.S.
Representatives urge fully-integrated Timor mission
Congress of the United States
Washington, DC
October 24, 2006
The Honorable Condoleezza Rice
Secretary
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20520
Dear Madame Secretary:
As you know, the United Nations recently expanded its mission in
Timor-Leste substantially. As long-time supporters of the new
nation, we hope that the new United Nations Integrated Mission in
Timor-Leste (UNMIT) will be as effective as possible in helping
Timor-Leste restore security and continue on the path toward
peaceful democracy which has been interrupted by recent violence.
In August, disagreements within the U.N. Security Council caused it
to defer a decision on whether the international military component,
now led by Australia, should be fully integrated into the UN mission
or remain under separate command. A final decision on the military
command structure will be made after the Secretary-General reports
on the issue by October 25.
We commend the Australian government for the speed in which they
responded to Timor-Leste?s request for help in May 2006. However,
we have concerns that a force under separate command will not only
make coordination difficult, but that it will reduce the confidence
and security that the people of Timor-Leste need from UNMIT at this
difficult time. The U.N. Secretary-General has expressed support
for a fully-integrated mission as well. Including all military
components within UNMIT would also be consistent with previous UN
missions in Timor-Leste. In 1999, when the Australian-led InterFET
deployment helped to end post-referendum violence, it was integrated
into the UNTAET peacekeeping force within a few months.
When the Security Council considers the issue again, we respectfully
urge that the United States support a well-integrated and effective
U.N. mission in Timor-Leste, with all international soldiers under
U.N. command. We thank you for your consideration of this matter
and look forward to your response.
Patrick J. Kennedy
Nita M. Lowey
George Miller
James P. Moran
Sam Farr
James P. McGovern
Steven R. Rothman
Donald M. Payne
Robert Wexler
James R. Langevin
Tammy Baldwin
Jim McDermott
James L. Oberstar
Ellen O. Tauscher
Joseph Crowley
Lane Evans
Allyson Y. Schwarz
Raul M. Grijalva
Jane D. Schakowsky
Earl Blumenauer
Edolphus Towns
Letter to
Secretary of State Rice PDFsee also
Congressional Action pages
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