Peacekeepers in East Timor

Peacekeepers in East Timor (1999-2000)

Motives for Intervention Indonesia annexing East Timor in 1975 after Portuguese colonials withdrew 1999 - new Indonesia leader, B.J Habibie suggested that East Timor may gain independence from Indonesia if they reject autonomy Sept 1999 - East Timor independence referendum 78% voted for independence of East Timor Anti-independence Indonesian militia with backing from Indonesian army attack East Timor, killing up to 1,000 people 1/4 population of Timor fled to West Timor Type of Intervention Military intervention Peacekeepers What Was Done Operation Spitfire evacuated UNAMET (United Nations Mission in East Timor) staff, foreign nationals and refugees to Darwin, Australia Australian PM John Howard gained support of the UN for an Australian-led peacekeeping mission to enter East Timor INTERFET (International Force East Timor) Non-UN force operating in accordance with UN Resolutions 15th Sept 1999: UN Security Council Resolution 1264 calling for a multinational force to restore peace in East Timor RAAF (Royal Australian Air Force) redeployed aircraft to act as a deterrent against the Indonesian militia forces 10/22 nations involved in the peacekeeping mission gave naval support to East Timor (largest being AUS with 14 ships) Indonesian forces withdrew and UNAMET reestablished HQ in Dili, East Timor Indonesia formally recognised the independence referendum and UNTAET (United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor) was established Pro-East Timor politician and guerrilla leader Xanana Gusmao freed Dec 1999: International donors at Tokyo Conference agree to provide US$520 million to East Timor Feb 2000: INTERFET deployment ended with transfer of military command to the UN Positives Many militia members fled to West Timor East Timor independence on 20th May 2002 (becomes 191st UN member) Signed Timor Sea Treaty with Australia to define a Joint Petroleum Development Area, awarding 90% of revenues from existing projects to East Timor and 10% going to Australia Literacy rate increases but still at a very low 58.3% (2010) At 37.6% in 2001 Enrolment in schools 8.4% - 81.6% (2001-2005) primary education 6.8% - 46.3% (2001-2005) secondary education Negatives Sept 2000: UN forced to evacuate staff from West Timor after 3 workers killed by pro-Indonesian gangs