INTERFET (standing for INTERnational Force East Timor) was a multinational peacekeeping taskforce, mandated by the United Nations to address the humanitarian and security crisis which took place in East Timor from 1999-2000 until the arrival of United Nations peacekeepers. Norwegian Blue Helmet during the Siege of Sarajevo, 1992 - 1993, photo by Mikhail Evstafiev. ... The examples and perspective in this article do not represent a worldwide view. ... 1999 (MCMXCIX) is a common year starting on Friday, and was designated the International Year of Older Persons by the United Nations. ... This article is about the year 2000. ...

INTERFET was commanded by Major-General Peter Cosgrove of the Australian Army. Major General is a military rank used in many countries. ... General Peter Cosgrove AC, MC, at the CDF Change of Command ceremony at the ADF Headquarters in Canberra, 3 July 2002. ... The Australian Army Emblem The Australian Army is Australias military land force. ...

United Nations resolution

A UN-sponsored referendum held on 30 August 1999 had shown overwhelming approval for East Timorese independence from Indonesia. Violent clashes, instigated by a suspected anti-independence militia, soon sparked a humanitarian and security crisis in the region. A referendum (plural: referendums or referenda) or plebiscite is a direct vote in which an entire electorate is asked to either accept or reject a particular proposal. ... August 30 is the 242nd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (243rd in leap years), with 123 days remaining. ... 1999 (MCMXCIX) is a common year starting on Friday, and was designated the International Year of Older Persons by the United Nations. ... A militia is a group of citizens organized to provide paramilitary service. ...

On 15 September 1999, the United Nations Security Council expressed concern at the deteriorating situation in East Timor, and issued UNSC Resolution 1264 calling for an multinational force to restore peace and security to East Timor, to protect and support the United Nations Mission there, and to facilitate humanitarian assistance operations until such time as a United Nations peacekeeping force could be approved and deployed in the area. September 15 is the 258th day of the year (259th in leap years). ... 1999 (MCMXCIX) is a common year starting on Friday, and was designated the International Year of Older Persons by the United Nations. ... The United Nations Security Council is the most powerful organ of the United Nations. ...

Operation Warden

The INTERFET coalition forces began deploying to East Timor on 20 September 1999, lead by a vanguard of nine warships. Most United Nations personnel, as well as Indonesian military, police and administrators had already been evacuated from the region in the preceding months by the Royal Australian Air Force. September 20 is the 263rd day of the year (264th in leap years). ... 1999 (MCMXCIX) is a common year starting on Friday, and was designated the International Year of Older Persons by the United Nations. ... The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) is the air force branch of the Australian Defence Force. ...

The arrival of thousands of international troops in East Timor caused the milita to flee across the border into Indonesia. Sporadic cross-border raids by the militia against INTERFET forces, particularly in the southern border held by the New Zealand Army, lead to suspiscion that the milita had the tacit support of the Indonesian military. // Structure of the New Zealand Army The New Zealand Army (or NZ Army) is the land armed force of the New Zealand military and comprises around 4,500 regular personnel and 2,500 non-regulars and civilians. ...

Five months later, on 28 February 2000, INTERFET handed over command of military operations to UNTAET (United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor). February 28 is the 59th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the year 2000. ... The UN Transitional Administration in East Timor provided an interim civil administration and a peacekeeping mission in the territory of East Timor. ... The UN Transitional Administration in East Timor provided an interim civil administration and a peacekeeping mission in the territory of East Timor. ...

Countries contributing to INTERFET

• Australia
• Brazil
• Canada
• France
• Germany
• Ireland
• Italy
• Malaysia
• New Zealand
• Norway
• Philippines
• Kenya
• Republic of Korea
• Singapore
• Thailand
• United Kingdom
• United States of America

Australia provided the largest contingent of troops, hardware and equipment for the INTERFET operation, followed by New Zealand.

See also

• East Timor
• United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor
• United Nations Mission of Support to East Timor

The UN Transitional Administration in East Timor provided an interim civil administration and a peacekeeping mission in the territory of East Timor. ... On May 20, 2002, East Timor was internationally recognized as an independent state and the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) came to an end. ...

External links

• Australian Defence Department INTERFET website, archived on the Pandora Archive on 7 November 2000
• United Nations Security Council Resolution 1264, 15 September 1999
• INTERFET Military Personel Chart