U.S. – Australia Relations

President on UNSC Approval of E. Timor Peacekeeping Force

Washington, D.C. — 16 September 1999

Article Number: EPF402
Date: 09/16/1999
Word Count: 260

Text: President on UNSC Approval of E. Timor Peacekeeping Force
(Says U.S. Prepared to contribute to operation)

Aboard Air Force One - President Clinton says the United States "is prepared to contribute" to the UN-authorized multinational peacekeeping action in East Timor and is "discussing with our Australian allies and the Congress an appropriate U.S. role."

He announced this in a September 15 statement welcoming the United Nations Security Council's unanimous passage of the resolution authorizing the multinational force.

Following is the White House text:

(begin text)

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
(Aboard Air Force One en route Washington, D.C.)
September 15, 1999

STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT

Late last night, the UN Security Council unanimously approved Resolution 1264, which authorizes a multinational force to restore stability in East Timor, at the invitation of the Indonesian government. Now we must move with purpose and dispatch to protect the innocent people whose lives are still threatened by those seeking to overturn the results of a fair vote. I welcome the passage of Resolution 1264, and look forward to working with the government of Australia and others in the international community to put together an effective force. I have just been briefed by Admiral Blair of CINCPAC on our close cooperation with Australia, and I hope the force can deploy in a matter of days. The United States is prepared to contribute to this operation, and we are discussing with our Australian allies and the Congress an appropriate U.S. role.

(end text)

Original document from //usinfo.state.gov.

Last update: Tuesday, 15 December 2009 GMT+1100