Andrews expresses concern about journalist in East Timor
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr David Andrews T.D., today expressed his concern at reports of an attack on an Irish citizen working in East Timor. The reports indicate that Mr Sean Steele, an accredited journalist with the UN Mission (UNAMET), was covering the activities of student groups operating a centre disseminating information on the forthcoming popular consultation when the students came under attack from armed pro-integration forces.
The Minister is in ongoing contact with the United Nations in New York who are investigating the matter through UNAMET in Dili. The U.N. Security Council has established UNAMET, inter alia, to ensure the freedom of all political and other non-governmental organisations to carry out their activities freely.
The Minister stresses the necessity for all sides to exercise restraint. He believes that it is essential that intimidation be brought to an end immediately if the forthcoming popular consultation in the territory is to be undertaken in a free and fair manner. The Minister, in his capacity as EU Presidency Personal Representative, will visit East Timor for the consultation process which is scheduled to take place on 30 August.
