UN: KOFI ANNAN EAST TIMOR PRESS CONFERENCE

(13 Sep 1999) English/Nat
United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan says Indonesia should allow an international peacekeeping force to enter East Timor as soon as possible.
Annan and key U-N members want an immediate deployment, now that Indonesia has agreed to let U-N-backed troops help restore peace to the devastated province.
Kofi Annan arrived at U-N headquarters on Monday morning with a clear message to Indonesia's leaders.
Now that they are giving the okay for a U-N sponsored peacekeeping force in East Timor, U-N members want to begin operations there right away.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I think basically we would want to get the message across (that) we want to move in the troops as quickly as possible. Security of the East Timorese is of primary importance.
And Indonesia has an obligation to work with us...to effectively implement the 5 May agreements."
SUPER CAPTION: Kofi Annan, United Nations Secretary General
Still to be worked out is the issue of Indonesian troops that remain in East Timor.
Indonesian officials have made no mention of their withdrawal.
But Annan signalled his concern for their continuing presence in the province.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I think from indications that we have received the military seemed to acquiesced, been involved, or have been unwilling to anything about the atrocities."
SUPER CAPTION: Kofi Annan, United Nations Secretary General
Indonesian Foreign Minister Ali Alatas is due in New York on Monday to discuss the deployment of U-N sponsored forces.
Envoys of five U-N member states are backing Annan's demand for quick deployment, including Portugal, the former colonial power in East Timor.
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