UN outlines Timor plan

The United Nations official in charge of devastated East Timor yesterday outlined key steps for it to achieve full independence.

Sergio Vieira de Mello, head of the UN Transitional Administration in East Timor said they "were planning on the assumption that the national election should take place in the second half of next year."

He said "a process of intensive dialogue with the East Timorese people on the constitution" would begin as early as September, and a committee would be selected to begin preparing a draft constitution by November.

Herald Online feature: the Timor mission

UN Transitional Administration in E Timor