1 February 1999: Action memorandum for the minister of foreign affairs

In response to Axworthy’s request for a plan of action, the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) proposed that Canada kick off its February 1999 month of presiding over the Security Council by coordinating actions with Australia, supporting a United Nations presence in East Timor, and seeking regular briefings by Marker to the Security Council. Other forms of encouragement for the UN-led talks process between Portugal (as the former colonial power) and Indonesia (as the occupying power) were to follow. Evidently, Canada deferred to Australia as the major Western power in the area, and hoped for a partnership with Australia on the East Timor issue.