Madam, - Your Editorial (June 15th) on recent events in East Timor is a timely reminder of the need to closely monitor ongoing developments in post-conflict areas. Many are agreed that the United Nations mission may have departed too prematurely and the violence of recent weeks, which has largely been confined to the capital, Dili, could have been prevented if a greater time period had been given to the training of the Timorese security forces.
Thankfully violence has abated and a surrender of weapons by renegade elements is now under way.
However, it would be wrong to place all the blame on this lack of training of the security forces. Grinding poverty, high unemployment rates and the trauma of previous decades of foreign occupation are also contributing factors.
East Timor is one of the poorest countries in the world and the poorest in Asia. In line with the Irish Government's poverty reduction commitment, East Timor has been designated as a "priority country" for Irish development funds. Development agencies such as Concern and Trócaire are also present and involved in issues such as health, education and poverty eradication.
Your Editorial was correct in pointing out the past history of Irish involvement in Timor and suggesting a closer involvement in the upcoming elections due to take place in 2007. The opportunity exists to strengthen our commitment to the Timorese people, civil society and political institutions. This can be done on a bilateral and EU basis. If asked, Irish observers could be made available to oversee the voting process at a political and security level.
Timor needs and is deserving of our continued developmental, political and moral support and solidarity. - Yours, etc,
TOM HYLAND, East Timor Campaign, Phibsborough Road, Dublin 7.