(22 Jun 1999) English/Nat

United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan arrived in Moscow on Tuesday for talks with top Russian officials including President Boris Yeltsin.

The talks between Annan and Russian leaders are expected to centre on the situation in Kosovo after Serbian troops pullout from the province.

In addition to the Kosovo conflict, Annan also had to deal with problems in East Timor.

The U-N Secretary General told reporters a referendum on the future of East Timor scheduled for August 8, has been delayed until later in the month.

United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan flew into Moscow from St. Petersburg on Tuesday to discuss the Balkan situation.

One of the main aims of his visit is to meet with top Russian officials to discuss the situation in Kosovo after Serbian troops pullout from the province.

Despite being involved so deeply in resolving the conflict in Kosovo, Annan still has to deal with the other conflicts in the world.

Outside the Sheremetyevo airport, Annan was besieged with reporters fielding questions on the situation in East Timor.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
Q: Mr Annan, Mr Annan, a few questions - what do you say about the postponement elections in East Timor?
"As you know we had certain conditions which had to be fulfilled. We had to ensure that the security situation is conclusive and appropriate. That the logistical problems were solved so that we could deploy everybody on time. So having taken all these facts into consideration we felt that a brief delay would be beneficial. So we have delayed it briefly but the ballot will go ahead in the month of August and the East Timorese will have a free choice."
SUPER CAPTION:Kofi Annan, UN Secretary General

He gave no date for the referendum.

The vote will decide whether the 800-thousand people in East Timor want to have wide-ranging autonomy within Indonesia or move toward full independence.

Violence has escalated in the half-island territory since Indonesia - in a surprise policy reversal - announced in January that it would put the Timorese on the road to independence if they reject autonomy.

Indonesia invaded the former Portuguese colony in 1975 and annexed it the following year.

Meanwhile the U-N Secretary General also told reporters that he would do everything possible to ensure faithful observance of the Yugoslav peace deal.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I think it is important that the Security Council resolution (on Kosovo) to be implemented in all its aspects. And with the full withdrawal of the Serbs have been accomplished, the disarmament and demilitarisation of the K-L-A will also move forward. And we at the U-N are going to do what we've been entrusted to do in administering the territory. And we will need cooperation of all concerned. But the agreement needs to be implemented by all concerned and in all of its aspects."
SUPER CAPTION:Kofi Annan, UN Secretary General

During his stay in Moscow, Kofi Annan was expected to meet with President Boris Yeltsin, Prime Minister Sergei Stepashin and other top officials.

Although Russia has conceded the leading role in the peacekeeping operation in Kosovo to NATO forces Russia still wants United Nations to play a leading role in peace settlement in the region.

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