By EDITH M. LEDERER
Associated Press Writer
10:18 PM CST, February 25, 2008
UNITED NATIONS
The U.N. Security Council on Monday condemned the recent attacks on East Timor's leaders and urged all parties in the troubled nation to consolidate peace, democracy and the rule of law.
In a resolution extending the mandate of the U.N. mission in East Timor for a year, the council said "the political, security, social and humanitarian situation in East Timor remains fragile."
It called for national reconciliation following rebel attacks earlier this month on President Jose Ramos-Horta, who was critically injured, and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao, who escaped unhurt.
The attacks were apparently a sudden escalation in a bitter dispute between the government and several hundred ex-soldiers who were fired in 2006 after going on strike to protest alleged discrimination.
The former Portuguese colony broke from 24 years of Indonesian occupation in 1999, when 1,500 people were killed by militias and departing Indonesian troops. After three years of U.N. governance, East Timor declared independence in 2002.
The U.N. scaled back its presence but still has 33 military observers and about 1,500 international police and 1,200 civilians in the country.
The resolution adopted unanimously on Monday extends the U.N. mission until Feb. 26, 2009 and calls on its members to help enhance the effectiveness of the judiciary, build up the security sector and further train East Timor's police force.
It "condemns in the strongest possible terms the attacks on the president and prime minister of East Timor on Feb. 11, 2008 and all attempts to destabilize the country."
Australia reinforced its presence in East Timor to more than 1,000 army and military personnel and sent a warship to waters off the coast after the attacks. It also sent a medical evacuation plane to fly Ramos Horta to Darwin, where he is recuperating from gunshot wounds.
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