The security agreement is scheduled to be signed on 5 May, when Australia will decide on its contribution to the UN presence. A spokesman for the Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr Alexander Downer, said the UN still had not decided on the numbers it would require, or the make-up. However, Australia's preferred position remained that it would send electoral observers and administrative back-up, and possibly police officers. Mr Downer said he was worried that violence still threatened a July vote. Speaking after the UN agreement was announced, the Nobel Peace laureate, Mr Jose Ramos Horta, called for an arms and financial embargo to pressure Indonesia to allow a free vote on the future of East Timor.
Many terrified locals continue to stay off the streets.
Those who ventured out said they hoped a vote on independence would bring peace after more than 23 years of bloodshed. They said their biggest concerns were peace and making a living. Any unauthorised use, copying or mirroring is prohibited.