Why did the United Nations proceed with the consultation when security conditions were unstable?
The agreed time frame for the consultation was very tight. The prospect of achieving greater security through delaying the process-or halting it-had to be weighed carefully against the risk of depriving the people of East Timor of a historic opportunity which might never be repeated. The desire of the East Timorese to continue was evident. Despite violence and intimidation, they had shown their determination to go on with the process by turning out in massive numbers to register. In their contacts with UNAMET and other UN representatives, East Timorese leaders and people in communities indicated their support for continuing the process; and leaders of opposing East Timorese groups had made progress in reconciliation efforts. The Security Council and Member States of the United Nations, while condemning acts of violence and intimidation by armed pro-autonomy militias and calling on the Indonesian authorities to fulfil their duty, endorsed the Secretary-General’s decision to continue. Fo
