Local children from Uaimori village in the central highlands east of Dili
New Zealanders in East Timor 1999-
August 2006
On 25 August 2006, United Nations Security Council expressing concern over the still fragile security, political and humanitarian situation in Timor-Leste established a new, expanded operation to take over from the current United nations Office in Timor-Leste. In light of the threat posed by weapons unaccounted for and the significant number of displaced persons, the Council adopted resolution 1704 (2006) to establish the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT). The Mission would consist of an appropriate civilian component, including police personnel and military liaison and staff officers.
Australian-led mission
Today NZDF has a Infantry Company and support personnel as part of the Australian led Operation to restore law and order in Timor-Leste. The Australian-led mission assists local and UN police to ensure security in the country. In addition NZDF also has one officer with UNMIT located in Dili.
During the 1990s, the situation in Timor Leste finally came to the world's attention. On 30 August 1999 there was a referendum, the UN was asked to conduct it, this was only the second time in its history that the UN had to manage a referendum like this.
May 2006
On 24 May 2006, President Gusmao approached the Prime Minister of Australia and asked for an Australian led intervention force to be deployed to assist with restoration of law and order in Timor-Leste. On 25 May 2006 the Prime Minister of New Zealand announced that New Zealand Defence Forces would deploy in support of the Timorese government.
Due to the unrest and fighting, NZ troops have been sent to assist with stability, law and order and security of NZ nations/Embassy. Australia, Malaysia, United States and New Zealand have all sent troops to Dili at the request for assistance for the government of Timor-Leste.
May 2005
UNOTIL Headquarters. The International Force East Timor (INTERFET) was an Australian-led Australian/New Zealand force deployed to Timor Leste in September 1999 to provide a stabilising force for the internal conflict between East and West Timor. The main tasks of the NZDF contribution were to provide border security in the New Zealand sector, helicopter support to the force, staff officers to two United Nations Headquarters and training support to the Timor Leste Defence Force. With independence in May 2002 the UNTAET mission was closed by the UN and replaced by UNMISET (United Nations Mission of support in East Timor). The NZ Battalion Group returned to NZ in November 2002 and the NZ commitment became three personnel in Dili, two of whom are military observers, and one who is military assistant to the Force Commander. Support to the Timor Leste Defence Force in the form of military advisers and a training team. In May 2005 the drawdown of UN personnel saw UNMISET replaced with UNOTIL after successfully completing its mandate. The United Nations Security Council established the United Nations Office in Timor-Leste (UNOTIL), a one-year mission to ensure the foundations for a stable country are continued to be built upon. The two NZ UN Military Observer roles also came to an end.
As part of UNOTIL New Zealand Defence Force personnel deployed Military Training Advisors. Their role was to teach and mentor Boarder Patrol Units and facilitate meetings between Units and Indonesian Army.
By June 2005 Australia began the withdrawal of its last peacekeeping troops from Timor-Leste.
Other Duties
In addition to border security and helping to bring order to Timor Leste, army engineers built roads and schools, and set up clean water supplies. Soldiers helped teach English and the doctors and nurses provided medical treatment to locals.
By November 2002, New Zealand's work was done and the battalion and support elements were withdrawn.
Trouble during the Referendum
There was trouble even before the voting started. Gangs had formed, up to 30,000 members armed with machetes and rifles used violence to frighten Timorese to vote against independence. The East Timorese paid a heavy price for their bravery, many buildings were destroyed in the days leading up to the referendum.
Mission to Timor Leste
The mission to Timor Leste was the largest deployment for the NZDF in 35 years.
The main job of the soldiers was to keep the Timorese people safe from the militia. The New Zealanders were mainly around the town of Suai and along Timor Leste's southern border with West Timor. Their roles included providing security by carrying out patrols, observing and following the militia. In one incident, a New Zealand soldier was killed while following the trail of a group of militia.
The Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) and Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) also played a major role in Timor Leste. The RNZN was the first part of the NZDF to begin work in Timor Leste arriving off the coast of Dili on 14 September 1999. The Air Force was heavy involved with transporting supplies, equipment and personnel into Suai.
The helicopters from No 3 Squadron first flew in East Timor on 26 September 1999. Up to six helicopters from No 3 Squadron were employed by the New Zealand Infantry Battalion.
UN Force in East Timor
Other countries including New Zealand , were asked to contribute to a UN peacekeeping force. On 13 September 1999 the RNZN's tanker HMNZS ENDEAVOUR left New Zealand bound for Timor Leste, loaded with helicopter fuels and supplies. On 14 September 1999 the RNZN frigate HMNZS TE KAHA joined ships from other countries patrolling off the coast of Dili. Two C130 Hercules aircraft of the RNZAF were sent to Darwin in preparation for flights into Dili airfield.
On 17 September 1999, Prime Minister Jenny Shipley announced that New Zealand would send an initial force of 420 soldiers and 265 navy and air personnel. More than a 1,000 NZDF personnel would be sent, this included a whole infantry battalion, a frigate and a helicopter squadron.
September 1999: Violence and Destruction
After the result of the referendum was announced on 3 September 1999 the gangs or militia groups started destroying houses and buildings, they forced people to leave their homes, formed roadblocks, towns and villages were demolished. Timor Leste was being deliberately destroyed. More than 200,000 refugees were forced across the border into West Timor.
Source: Mission to East Timor by Glen Harper
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