U.N. Security Council backs E. Timor elections as 'milestone'

NEW YORK, April 4 Kyodo

The U.N. Security Council expressed its ''full support'' in a press statement Wednesday for the presidential elections scheduled to take place Monday in East Timor.

Calling the elections a ''significant milestone in the democratic process in the country,'' the council called on all parties to adhere to nonviolence and ensure that the elections have a ''unifying impact and contribute to bringing the people of Timor-Leste together.''

In the statement read out by the current council president, British Ambassador Emyr Jones Parry, the council ''appealed to all Timorese parties to ensure that free, fair and peaceful elections take place.''

''The members of the Security Council underlined the need for the international community to continue to provide support to Timor-Leste,'' the statement said.

They also welcomed the domestic and international electoral observers who will be participating in the process.

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