Global Policy Forum

By Edith M. Lederer

United Nations - Moving with uncharacteristic speed to end the violence in East Timor, the U.N. Security Council on Wednesday authorized a multinational force to restore peace and ensure that the territory moves toward independence. In a unanimous vote, the council gave approval to Australia and other troop contributors to start mobilizing soldiers. Secretary-General Kofi Annan said he hopes some troops can be on the ground by the weekend.

Australia's Foreign Minister Alexander Downer, whose country is expected to lead the 7,000-strong force, told the council it was "vitally important" that troops be deployed quickly. But he said Australia wouldn't move into East Timor alone, and would need troops from other countries to join the first deployment. "We are under no illusions - this is a dangerous mission," he said. "There are risks involved for the multinational force, but I think the international community sees these risks as worth taking to bring peace to East Timor."

Indonesia has refused to withdraw its troops from East Timor, despite allegations that they participated in the bloody rampage. Indonesia's Foreign Minister Ali Alatas told reporters the U.N.-authorized multinational force will be in command on the ground, with Indonesian troops probably playing an advisory and liaison role. In a speech to the Security Council, Alatas said it was "imperative that the multinational force conduct itself in an impartial and neutral manner so that its presence in East Timor will be credible."

Negotiations were continuing Wednesday on the command and composition of the force, its rules of engagement, and the duties of the Indonesian and multinational soldiers. Even though Alatas said Indonesia was not placing any conditions on the multinational force, he emphasized that Jakarta preferred troops from countries that belong to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations because of their understanding of regional "sensitivities" - and opposed Australian participation.

But Foreign Minister Jaime Gama of Portugal said the sole precondition for the force must be that it is strong and effective enough to deal with the crisis and immediately restore peace and stability. Pro-Indonesian militiamen, backed by Indonesian soldiers, began a rampage on East Timor after results of a U.N.-supervised ballot were announced Sept. 4 showing an overwhelmingly vote for independence from Indonesia. Annan was scheduled to meet Wednesday with Alatas and Gama.

A key topic is expected to be the creation of a U.N. peacekeeping force that would take over from the multinational force. The Security Council decided to give its blessing to a multinational force first because its troops are paid for by their own governments, and it can deploy rapidly. In contrast, a U.N. peacekeeping force usually takes months to put together and send into the field. The resolution authorizes a multinational force to move into East Timor and "take all necessary measures" to restore peace and security and allow for humanitarian aid to reach its people.