HC Deb 24 January 2000 vol 343 cc38-9W
Mr. Shaw

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the current security situation in East Timor. [104565]

Mr. Battle

I visited Indonesia and East Timor on 16–20 January. As I discussed with Major General Cosgrove, the Commander of INTERFET, the security situation in East Timor is generally stable. A memorandum of understanding between the Indonesian Armed Forces, the International Force in East Timor (INTERFET) and the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) on relations at the East Timor/West Timor border was signed on 12 January. All remain concerned about militia activity in the enclave of Oecussi and in West Timor's refugee camps. I made our concerns about this clear to the Indonesian Regional Military Commander during my visit.