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Timor-Leste
This category contains the public monuments and memorials which have been erected to commemorate the United Nations operations in Timor-Leste from 1999 to 2009.
In response to the escalating violence and the humanitarian crisis overwhelming the people of East Timor, the United Nations called on Australia to lead the International Force for East Timor (INTERFET). On 14 September 1999 Australia agreed to lead a multi-nation stabilisation force and the next day the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1264 established INTERFET.
Leading the INTERFET coalition was as much about diplomacy for Australian forces as it was about security. Australia’s strong ties with Indonesia required that forces maintain a professional relationship with members of the Tentara Nasional Indonesia (TNI) even as it curbed the activities of the pro-Jakarta militia and demobilised the guerrilla Timorese forces, the Falantil.
The success of INTERFET relied on more than security on the ground; regional consensus was essential. Major commitments from Thailand, Singapore and Philippines were negotiated and Malaysia provided a smaller contribution. In all, twenty-two countries contributed to the mission - Australia, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Egypt, Fiji, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Jordan, Kenya, Malaysia, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Portugal, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, United Kingdom and the United States. Japan offered significant funding.
In May 2002, East Timor became Timor-Leste, a fully independent country with a parliamentary government. The country remains fragile and political rivalries extending back into its guerrilla past have required the help of the Australian Army again in 2006 and 2009. Australian soldiers and police officers from the Australian Federal Police continue to work with the Timor-Leste security forces.
Four Australian soldiers have died in over ten years of Australian deployment to Timor-Leste. None of these deaths has been due to enemy actions.
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