U.N. Security Council Condemns Killing of U.N. Staff in West TimorThe U.N. Security Council on Wednesday condemned the killing of three U.N. staffs by Indonesian militia, urging the Indonesian Government to take measures to end violence in West Timor where East Timor refugees remain.At an urgent meeting called after the incident occurred Wednesday at Atambua of West Timor, the council reiterated its concern about militia activity in the region and militia incursions into U.N.-administered East Timor, which led to the death of two U.N. peacekeepers earlier this summer, according to council president, Mali's Moctar Ouane. Confirming the murder of the three staffs of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) by the militiamen against independence of East Timor, U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan described the security situation in West Timor as "unacceptable". The tragedy underlines again the dangers faced by unarmed humanitarian workers serving the United Nations in conflict or post-conflict situations, Annan told a gathering of U.N. members states, called Millennium Summit. Ouane said the situation in West Timor is serious and council members voiced their support for Annan's statement. Council members urged Indonesia to take measures to ensure security in refugee camps, to disarm and disband the militia, and to work with the international community for a safe refugee return, Ouane added. The incident forced the U.N. to suspend aid activities for an estimated 100,000 East Timorese refugees, who fled their homes amid chaos following the U.N.-brokered referendum which turned to be in favor of East Timor's independence in August 1999. |
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