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United Nations

UN to Announce East Timor Autonomy Vote Results

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The United Nations will announce the result of the August 30 direct autonomy ballot in East Timor simultaneously in New York and Dili, the capital of East Timor, about one week after the popular consultation. The UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan himself will announce the result, according to U.N. Mission in East Timor (UNAMET) spokesman David Wimhurst. The vote counting will be conducted in Dili, and a total of 451,792 people have registered for the ballot. The consultation aims to let the East Timorese people indicate whether they accept or reject wide-ranging autonomy within Indonesia's fold. If they vote against autonomy, the Indonesian government will let the territory get independence.

Key Takeaways:

  • The UN will announce the result of the East Timor autonomy ballot on the same day in New York and Dili, about one week after the popular consultation.
  • A total of 451,792 people have registered for the ballot, as per reports reaching Dili.
  • The vote counting will be conducted in Dili, and only one result will be announced.
  • The Indonesian government will let East Timor get independence if the people vote against autonomy.
  • Indonesian Foreign Minister Ali Alatas has rejected the proposal for a U.N. peacekeeping force in East Timor, saying it was a personal opinion from a few U.S. Senators.
  • The security situation in East Timor has continued to improve, despite minor instances of violence.
  • Indonesian Defense and Security Minister General Wiranto has agreed to the assignment of more U.N. civilian police in East Timor.
  • The Indonesian government agreed to offer wide-ranging autonomy for the East Timorese people through a direct ballot in January this year.
  • East Timor has a population of approximately 800,000 and an area of about 15,000 square kilometers.

Statistics:

  • 451,792: The total number of people registered for the ballot.
  • 700: The number of ballot stations set up across East Timor by the UNAMET.
  • 800,000: The estimated population of East Timor.
  • 15,000: The approximate area of East Timor in square kilometers.

Sources:

  • XINHUA: "UN to Announce East Timor Autonomy Vote Results"
  • U.N. Mission in East Timor (UNAMET): Spokesman David Wimhurst
  • COMTEX: News article "UN to Announce East Timor Autonomy Vote Results"

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