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UN sets rules for Timor transition
Xanana Gusmao will be on the UN administration's consultative committee |
By the BBC's Jonathan Head
The head of the new UN transitional authority in East Timor has announced a set of regulations which will provide the basic framework for a transitional government steering the territory towards independence.
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There simply is not enough time to draw up a whole new legal code.
The new regulation gives executive powers to the UN-appointed administrator, Sergio Vieira de Mello.
But he has promised to make decisions in consultation with a 15-member committee, which has yet to be established, but which is certain to include prominent pro-independence leaders like Xanana Gusmao.
He is widely tipped to become East Timor's first president once the territory reaches full independence in two or three years time.
Traumatised people
The UN transitional authority faces some formidable challenges.
It must decide how best to allocate the massive reconstruction funds, which will soon be pouring into the territory, while trying to avoid aid dependency among the impoverished and traumatised people.
It will have to adjudicate ownership of property as well, which is often disputed after nearly 24 years of Indonesian occupation.
And it will need to try to promote reconciliation with those who opposed independence.
This is likely to be the most expensive UN operation in the organisation's history.
After the disappointing results of previous ventures, in Cambodia, Bosnia and Angola, the UN badly needs a success.
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See also: |
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27 Nov 99 | Asia-Pacific |
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Requiem for Timor 'martyrs' |
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16 Nov 99 | Asia-Pacific |
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UN effort in East Timor under fire |
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27 Oct 99 | Asia-Pacific |
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UN wants $200m for East Timor |
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23 Nov 99 | Asia-Pacific |
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Holbrooke issues warning on Timor |
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03 Nov 99 | Asia-Pacific |
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UN teams snatch Timor refugees |
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Internet links: |
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East Timor International Support Centre - Bishop Belo profile |
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East Timor Human Rights Centre |
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UN Mission in East Timor |
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