Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the Situation in East Timor

August 31, 2000

August 30, 2000, marked the first anniversary of the direct ballot to ask the East Timorese to choose either the proposed special autonomy within Indonesia or separation and independence from Indonesia, held on August 30, 1999, under the auspices of the United Nations Mission in East Timor (UNAMET). The process for independence and nation-building of East Timor is now underway in East Timor under the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET). On the occasion of this first anniversary of the direct ballot, I would like to reiterate our tribute to the efforts by the East Timorese, UN personnel, and all the others concerned, and our condolences to all victims.
Active and continuous support by the international community as a whole is vital for smoothly carrying out the process of nation-building and independence of East Timor. Japan will continue to extend as much assistance as possible in cooperation with other countries and international organizations. Japan also intends to make further efforts to solve the issue of East Timorese refugees in West Timor in cooperation with the Government of Indonesia, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and other countries.

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