Скачать или смотреть EAST TIMOR: INDEPENDENCE VOTE RESULT

(4 Sep 1999) English/Nat

East Timor has voted overwhelmingly to break its ties with Indonesia in favor of independence, it was announced on Saturday in Dili.

The head of the U-N elections team in East Timor, Ian Martin said the
the voters rejected wide-ranging autonomy within Indonesia by 78.5 percent.

He pleaded for a peaceful transition to independence.

East Timor will not become independent immediately.

Indonesia's legislature must implement the result of the ballot, and it is not expected to meet until November.

Then, Indonesia would turn over responsibility for East Timor to the United Nations.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"In a show of courage and determination, the people of East Timor turned out in massive numbers to vote in the popular consultation, expressing their will as to the future of the territory. The votes have now been counted and the electoral commission has assessed all outstanding complaints and certified the result., Therefore in fulfillment of the task entrusted in me in the May 5 agreement I hereby announce that the result of the vote is 94, 388 in favour and 344, 580 against the proposed special autonomy. The people of East Timor have therefore rejected the autonomy and expressed their wish to begin a process of transition towards independence. After 24 years of conflict it now stands on the threshold of what we all hope will be an orderly and peaceful transition towards independence. The coming days will require patience and calm from the people. I hardly need stress the importance of leaders to exercise wisdom and reason. Now is the time for all to seize the opportunity to lay firm and lasting foundations for cooperation and peace and usher in a era of stability and prosperity for all future generations of East Timorese."
SUPER CAPTION: Ian Martin, Head of the U-N elections team in East Timor

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I call upon the government of Indonesia which made possible the consultation process through statesmanlike initiative to ensure its successful culmination by carrying out it's responsibility to maintain law and order in the territory. I should like to thank Indonesia and Portugal for their commitment and perseverance in this process. I am confident that the governments will fulfill their remaining obligations under the 5th of May agreements. Let me assure the governments that the U-N will continue to work with them to ensure the implementation of the result of the consultation process through a peaceful and orderly process. Let me also assure the people of East Timor that the U-N will not fail them in guiding East Timor in its transition towards independence."
SUPER CAPTION: Ian Martin, Head of the U-N elections team in East Timor

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