UN manager hits out at allegations of racism

By PAUL YANDALL

The United Nation's highest-ranking New Zealander has rejected accusations the world body is implementing a "white" policy in East Timor.

Dennis McNamara, the deputy administrator of the UN Transitional Administration in East Timor, said the claims were themselves racist.

The East Timor mission's chief of staff, Nagalingam Parameswaran, quit his post alleging interference from Mr McNamara had hampered his efforts to bring home refugees.

He said others had also resigned citing interference from Mr McNamara, and the transitional administration "has become very much a 'white' mission, an Eastern mission with a Western face".

On Radio New Zealand yesterday, Mr McNamara said the claims of racism were unfounded.

"I found that quite outrageous ... and ... a racist statement in itself, to accuse the UN, which is, by definition, a multinational organisation."

He said the head of the mission was a Brazilian, one of the commanders was a Thai general and the deputy commissioner was from Singapore.

"It's a ... multinational, typical UN mission and those allegations are really a cheap shot."

Mr McNamara said he had taken over the management of the serious crimes unit "which was well known to have been in great difficulties.

"Some people who should have left have fortunately left ... We're very active to promote the return of refugees, but those who have committed crimes against humanity who want to come back must understand they'll be prosecuted ... as it hasn't necessarily been done in the year before."

The United Nations took over the running of the ruined territory in October 1999 to prepare it for independence.

Mr McNamara, aged 56, trained as a lawyer at Auckland University but has worked for the UN for 26 years, mainly with the commission for refugees in hotspots like Cambodia, the Eastern Congo and Kosovo.

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Dept. of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia

Antara news agency

Indonesian Observer

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UN Transitional Administration in E Timor

East Timor Action Network