| Accession Number | P04676.299 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Photograph |
| Object type | Black & white - Film original negative chromogenic Kodak T400 CN |
| Maker |
Immig, John |
| Place made | East Timor: Manatuto |
| Date made | January 2000 |
| Conflict |
East Timor, 1999-2013 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: © Australian War Memorial
This item is licensed under CC BY-NC
|
In a school playground, former National Council of Timorese Resistance (CNRT) fighters perform ...
Description
In a school playground, former National Council of Timorese Resistance (CNRT) fighters perform drills with wooden rifles in preparation for joining the East Timorese army. The CNRT is a pro-independence group whose members were specifically targeted in the post-election violence of September 1999. Following the overwhelming vote for independence by the East Timorese on 30 August 1999 in the United Nations (UN) sponsored referendum, the pro-Indonesian militia launched a campaign of destruction, arson and murder, killing approximately 1500 people and forcing 300 000 others into West Timor as refugees. On 15 September, the UN issued a resolution, calling for a multinational force to restore peace and security and facilitate humanitarian assistance operations. By 20 September 1999, the first coalition force began deploying to East Timor as part of Australian-led International Force for East Timor (INTERFET).