§ Mr. HowardTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the cause of the early departure from East Timor of the European Union Troika envoys. [49300]
§ Mr. FatchettThe EU Troika Heads of Mission were able to complete their business earlier than originally scheduled.
§ Mr. StringerTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the recent visit to East Timor by the EU Troika Heads of Mission from Jakarta. [49640]
§ Mr. FatchettThe EU/Troika Ambassadors from Jakarta visited East Timor from 27 June to 30 June 1998. They were accompanied by the representative of the EU Commission based in Jakarta and a representative of the EU Council Secretariat. This was the first visit to the territory undertaken by EU Ambassadors. It was undertaken at the initiative of the British Presidency of the European Union.
The purpose of the visit was to mark the EU's continuing concern about the situation in East Timor, to improve our knowledge of the situation there and to support the UN process of searching for a fair, comprehensive and internationally acceptable solution to the problem.
We very much regret the death of Orlando Marcelino da Costa who was shot in Baucau during the Troika visit on 29 June and have asked the authorities to carry out a full investigation into the incident.
Although marred by this tragic incident, the visit achieved its objectives. The Ambassadors met a broad cross-section of interlocutors, including key local political figures, members of the security forces, community leaders, the churches and NGOs. They made clear the EU's engagement in the search for a solution, a message which was widely appreciated.
The outcome of the visit will be considered with EU partners under the Austrian Presidency of the EU.