[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 36, Number 6 (Monday, February 14, 2000)]
[Page 285]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on Peacekeeping Efforts in East Timor

February 11, 2000

    Over the last several months, the United States has worked with our 
partners in Southeast Asia to help East Timor in its transition to 
independence and peace. I am proud we were able to support the efforts 
of the Australian-led INTERFET force, which has brought security and 
hope to East Timor. With its mission accomplished, INTERFET is now 
handing responsibility to a U.N. peacekeeping mission, through which the 
countries of the region will once again provide the vast majority of 
troops.
    Today I am announcing that the United States will continue to 
support our friends and allies in this important endeavor. A small 
number of U.S. officers will serve as observers in the U.N. mission. As 
part of their normal exercises, other U.S. personnel will contribute to 
humanitarian efforts, such as rebuilding schools and restoring medical 
services. These efforts will complement our financial contributions to 
the peacekeeping operation, as well as humanitarian and development 
assistance to East Timor that will total over $70 million this year. We 
will also continue to stand by Indonesia as it continues its hopeful 
democratic transformation.
    In this way, we will contribute to the birth of two new democracies 
in a region where freedom and tolerance are taking root. And we will 
bolster the ability and willingness of the countries in that region to 
take the lead in building peace.