Remarks on International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers

International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers

Remarks by Eric Tan
Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General
for Security Sector Support and Rule of Law

29 May 2007
Dili, Timor-Leste

Your Excellency the President of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, Dr José Ramos-Horta,

Your Excellency the Prime Minister, Eng Estanislau Da Silva,
Your Excellency the Minister of Interior, Mr Alcino Barris,
Your Excellency the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ms Adalgiza Magno
FALANTIL-FDTL Commander, BG Taur Matan Ruak
PNTL General Commander (Designate), Afonso de Jesus
Acting Commander ISF, Colonel Paul Van der Broek
Excellencies members of the Diplomatic Corps,
Fellow Peacekeepers from UNMIT, and colleagues from the larger UN family comprising Funds, Agencies and Programmes,
Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen, good morning,

I am delighted to see so many here today at such an early hour to commemorate the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers. This is a day set aside to honour and pay tribute to the men and women who have served, and continue to serve in United Nations peacekeeping operations. It is also a day to honour the memory of those who have lost their lives in the cause of peace. In 2002, a General Assembly Resolution designated the 29th of May as the International Day of the United Nations Peacekeepers. This was the date in 1948 when the first UN peacekeeping mission began operations in Palestine. This mission was the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO).

On a more personal note, I recall fondly the very first Peacekeepers Day in 2003, celebrated right here in Dili, on the road just in front of the Palazio das Cinzas. Then President Gusmao reviewed a combined parade of police, military and civilian peacekeepers, and awarded medals to some, including myself. A Timorese school band marched together with us. Today we are most privileged to have His Excellency, Dr Jose Ramos-Horta here with us for the fifth Peacekeepers Day.

In a statement issued today, the Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr Ban Ki-moon stated, and I quote:

“Last year, for the first time, more than 100,000 peacekeepers were deployed by the United Nations. One hundred and fifteen countries now contribute uniformed personnel to UN peacekeeping operations. Both of these figures are at an all-time high. They speak of unprecedented confidence in – and expectations of – UN peacekeeping.

The ordinary people who benefit from these unseen efforts are often among the world’s most vulnerable. Peacekeepers ensure that refugees and displaced persons can return to their homes; that ex-combatants are disarmed and reintegrated into society; that children are taken off the battlefield and sent to school; that people exercise their right to vote in democratic elections; that individuals human rights are protected, not violated, by police forces and judicial systems; and that fields and forests are de-mined so that they can be used to sustain life instead of trigger death.” End of quote.

UN personnel have been continuously deployed in Timor-Leste since 1999 to assist and support the people of this country. Today, we are here to fulfil a very different role compared to the one before. We first assisted an emerging country to rebuild itself and recover from a long struggle. Now we are assisting the second democratically elected President, and soon a new Government, to solidify, stabilize and make this young democracy sustainable. The evolution of our mandate is surely a most tangible sign that progress has been made.

Young though it may be, Timor-Leste has already demonstrated its readiness to do its part for peace in other post-conflict nations. In December 2005, 10 members of the PNTL were sent to serve in the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo. These officers continue to make the PNTL and Timor-Leste proud. We in the United Nations are truly grateful for their contributions.

Turning back to UNMIT, I am pleased to report that the mission today includes 3195 peacekeepers from 86 countries. To each of you, I say a big “Thank You”! You have left your families and homes to contribute towards Timor-Leste in the areas of security, electoral support, development and strengthening of democracy and the rule of law. Your tasks have by no means been easy, but their accomplishment has helped achieve the mandate of UNMIT.

We must also not forget the dangers peacekeepers face. To this end, I wish to take this opportunity to recognize the many United Nations peacekeepers -- civilian, police and military -- for having made the ultimate sacrifice “In the Service of Peace.” Such sacrifices are not in vain, for they avoid even more tragic losses of lives especially among the vulnerable, wherever peacekeeping missions are deployed. Nonetheless, it saddens me to announce that 71 peacekeepers have lost their lives here in Timor-Leste. To these, we owe an enormous debt of gratitude, and are here to pay them a special tribute today.

Excellencies, friends and colleagues,

Thanks to the many expressions of recognition we have received from the people of Timor-Leste, it is clear that they know and appreciate the difference the presence of peacekeepers has made. I am grateful for these expressions. At the same time, I have also welcomed, and listened carefully to the words of constructive criticism from our generous hosts. We have much to learn, and must remain willing to do so.

In closing, I would like to remind all of us UN peacekeepers, that in our interactions with the people of Timor-Leste, we project the face of UNMIT, and it is us being identified as the United Nations. Men, women and children of Timor-Leste, young and old, will remember, and either cherish our actions, our words and our compassion. Or they will take away with them a very different opinion. I therefore urge all of us to continue doing our duty with an unshakeable sense of responsibility, for on our shoulders rests the ultimate success and reputation of this mission, and of the United Nations.

I now have the pleasure and honor to call upon the President of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, His Excellency, Dr José Ramos-Horta to address us.