Annan Says E. Timor Will Be Independent In 2001

United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan on Wednesday presented a report to the U.N. Security Council recommending that concrete steps be taken to ensure that East Timor will become independent by the end of the year.

While recent meetings of the East Timorese National Council -- the island's provisional legislative body -- have cast increasing doubt on the possibility of independence being realized within the year, the U.N. report underscored the importance of striving to reach that

goal.






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