Table of Contents
What did Australia do for East Timor?
Australia led the INTERFET operation in 1999, and provided substantial forces to the subsequent United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor and its successor operations. Australia also landed combat troops in the country in 2006 to quell ethnic fighting that involved East Timorese police and soldiers.
Why did Australia send troops to East Timor?
Operation Astute was an Australian-led military deployment to East Timor to quell unrest and return stability in the 2006 East Timor crisis. It was headed by Brigadier Bill Sowry, and commenced on 25 May 2006 under the command of Brigadier Michael Slater.
Why is Australia helping Timor-Leste?
Australia will work with Timor-Leste to strengthen social protection programs that support households and communities, including people with disabilities, during this period of heightened vulnerability and beyond.
How was Australia involved in interfet?
With the support of the international community, the first Australians from Interfet arrived in Dili on 20 September. The peacekeepers quickly secured Dili before moving out to other areas, disarming militia and at times having tense stand-offs with the Indonesian military.
How many Australians served in East Timor?
5,500 personnel
Led by Australia, who contributed 5,500 personnel and the force commander, Major General Peter Cosgrove, it was tasked with restoring peace and security, protecting and supporting UNAMET, and facilitating humanitarian assistance.
How many Timorese are there in Australia?
Demographics & education. In the 2016 Census, there were 9,237 people in Australia who were born in Timor-Leste. Of these 49.0% were male and 51.0% were female. Of the population born in Timor-Leste who usually live in Australia, 1.3% were aged 0 – 14 years and 18.0% were aged 65 years and over.
What is the history of peacekeeping in East Timor?
In East Timor, for the first time, Australia organized and led a multinational peacekeeping operation. Interfet, which landed in East Timor in September 1999, was highly successful in quelling militia violence against the East Timorese people. Twenty-two nations contributed forces to Interfet, but more than half the troops were Australians.
What did Australia do in East Timor?
In East Timor, for the first time, Australia organized and led a multinational peacekeeping operation. Interfet, which landed in East Timor in September 1999, was highly successful in quelling militia violence against the East Timorese people.
How much would it cost to make peace in East Timor?
It is clear that any international presence in East Timor will be making peace.(1) In many estimates it will involve almost every element of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) for many months and probably several years at an estimated cost of up to $1 billion per year.(2)…
What did the United Nations do in East Timor?
The United Nations Mission in East Timor (UNAMET) was established to organise and conduct a referendum on the question of independence. It was composed of police and observers rather than military personnel. The UN-sponsored referendum held on 30 August 1999 showed overwhelming approval for East Timorese independence from Indonesia.