An unidentified Australian sapper, serving with the Australian-led International Force for East ...

Accession Number P04676.303
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
Creative Commons License This item is licensed under CC BY-NC
Description

An unidentified Australian sapper, serving with the Australian-led International Force for East Timor (INTERFET), oversees local East Timorese men working on the construction of a culvert and storm drain. 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 INTERFET.

Related information