| Date from | 19 June 1999 |
|---|---|
| Date to | 15 September 1999 |
| Place | East Timor |
| Category | Peacekeeping Operation |
| Conflict |
East Timor, 1999-2013 |
| Alternative Names |
|
Operation Faber
Description
Strength: 45 Military Liaison Officers (MLO)
AO: East Timor and adjacent seas (12NM from low water mark).
UNAMET saw the referendum of the East Timorese people to vote for Independence or Integration into Indonesia. UNAMET was to see the peaceful transition of a UN monitored election. The Election result was an overwhelming 4 to 1 vote for Independence from Indonesia – the first free and fair elections the people of East Timor have ever had. Previous to the Indonesian annexation of East Timor in 1975, East Timor was a colony of Portugal and was known as Portuguese Timor.
Unfortunately Aitarak Militia and Indonesian Military have conducted horrendous crimes including rape, murder and destruction of East Timor, since the vote was recognised by the UN on 31 August 1999. It was necessary for the UN to temporarily abandon the UNAMET mission and Australian Military and Police personnel were recalled back to Australia.
The Australian led INTERFET force entered East Timor in September 1999.