25 years since INTERFET deployment

When the Timorese people took the courageous step of voting for independence in 1999 and asked the international community for help to secure their nation, Australia answered.

FILE PHOTO (December 1999): Australian soldiers with 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, conduct a medical evacuation of a local boy in the Oecusse Enclave, East Timor. Photo by Corporal Brian Hartigan.

The referendum was overseen by the United Nations Assistance Mission to East Timor (UNAMET), containing Australian military and civilian police personnel.

As security in the new country deteriorated, around 5500 Australian service personnel were sent to Timor-Leste as part of the International Force East Timor (INTERFET) – joined by almost 5000 troops from 22 other countries.

INTERFET was the largest deployment of Australian troops since the Vietnam War.

Its predecessor UNAMET, and subsequent peacekeeping missions helped restore stability after the unrest following the independence vote.

Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Minister for Defence Personnel Matt Keogh said Australia acknowledged all those who participated in the peacekeeping missions to Timor-Leste, including Australian Defence Force Personnel, Australian Federal Police, Australian Electoral Commission, Australian Customs officers and other Australian-government agencies.

“We pay tribute to the six Australians who tragically lost their lives while deployed, or as a result of their service,” Mr Keogh said.

“We also recognise the remarkable resilience of the Timorese people and the enduring friendship between our two nations.

“We are grateful to the many Australians who served in Timor-Leste who have regularly returned over these 25 years, strengthening the bonds and productivity of local communities.

“As commemorative services are held all over Australia, we thank all who served and continue to serve to this day.”

A national commemorative service was held in Canberra today to commemorate the milestone.

The New Zealand Defence Force is also remembering its proud contribution to the mission.

New Zealand Army’s Major General John Howard has just returned from Dili, where he represented the NZDF across three days of events, including spending time with President José Ramos-Horta and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão, with both leaders reportedly expressing deep and enduring thanks to all members of the NZDF who contributed to Timor-Leste’s burgeoning nationhood.

“New Zealand personnel who served in Timor-Leste provided a secure space for the Timorese to develop their own democracy and governance structures, allowing a fragile nation to chart its own future,” Major General Howard said.

“Our mission was demanding. It carried significant operational risk and endured for many years.”

Across two periods, from 1999 to 2002, and again in 2006-12, approximately 7000 New Zealanders were deployed to Timor-Leste.

A national commemoration of New Zealand’s service in Timor-Leste will be held in Wellington on Saturday.

In all, more the 70 peacekeepers, including six Australians and five New Zealanders have died while serving in East Timor since 1999.

 

 

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