Indonesian Government to Investigate UN-Administered Ballot in East Timor

The Indonesian government, led by Foreign Minister Ali Alatas, has expressed satisfaction with the fairness and honesty of the August 30 UN-administered ballot in East Timor, but will investigate reports of wrongdoing by UN Mission In East Timor (Unamet) staff. The government will wait for the results of the investigation before taking further action, with the ballot's outcome to be announced on September 7. Voter turnout was reportedly high, with over 90% of eligible East Timorese casting their ballots.

Key Takeaways:

• The Indonesian government considers the UN-administered ballot in East Timor to have been run fairly and honestly, but will investigate reports of wrongdoing by Unamet staff.
• The government will wait for the results of the investigation before taking further action, with the ballot's outcome to be announced on September 7.
• Voter turnout was reportedly high, with over 90% of eligible East Timorese casting their ballots in the popular consultation.
• The ballot will determine East Timor's future, with options including remaining part of Indonesia with wide-ranging autonomy or separating as an independent nation.
• More than 450,000 East Timorese with voting rights participated in the ballot, both within and outside of Indonesia.
• The foreign envoys who presented their credentials to President BJ Habibie during the Merdeka Palace ceremony were Mohammed Ali Daher-Nsour of Jordan and Khem Bunneang of Cambodia.

Statistics:

• Over 90% of eligible East Timorese (approximately 405,000 out of 450,000) cast their ballots in the popular consultation.
• The ballot was administered by the UN Mission In East Timor (Unamet).
• The result of the ballot will be announced on September 7.
• The foreign envoys who presented their credentials are Mohammed Ali Daher-Nsour of Jordan and Khem Bunneang of Cambodia.

Sources:

• (ANTARA)
• (C) 1999 Asia Pulse Pte Ltd News Provided by COMTEX (http://www.comtexnews.com)